Flathead in a '53
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 9
From: DFW, TX
Flathead in a '53
Hey folks!
I posted this on the flathead forum but thought I might get more replies here.
I'm going to look at a 1953 F350 this weekend if the weather cooperates. The owner has sent the picture below of the engine. No known history, no telling how long it's been sitting or the condition when parked. The truck is in an old salvage yard, so it probably had some issues of some sort.
Anyway, I'd like some advice on what to look at, check, etc. on the flathead motor before laying out some cash for the truck. The owner keeps stressing that "it's a flathead" and I'd like to know a ballpark of what a flathead with no history is worth. From the pic and owner's description, it's complete.
Based on the condition of the rest of the truck and the fact that there is no title, I would be buying the truck for "parts only." The grill looks pretty good from the pictures and I have a '54 F-100 that I could convert to a '53 if the motor turns out to be a keeper.
Thanks a bunch!
I posted this on the flathead forum but thought I might get more replies here.
I'm going to look at a 1953 F350 this weekend if the weather cooperates. The owner has sent the picture below of the engine. No known history, no telling how long it's been sitting or the condition when parked. The truck is in an old salvage yard, so it probably had some issues of some sort.
Anyway, I'd like some advice on what to look at, check, etc. on the flathead motor before laying out some cash for the truck. The owner keeps stressing that "it's a flathead" and I'd like to know a ballpark of what a flathead with no history is worth. From the pic and owner's description, it's complete.
Based on the condition of the rest of the truck and the fact that there is no title, I would be buying the truck for "parts only." The grill looks pretty good from the pictures and I have a '54 F-100 that I could convert to a '53 if the motor turns out to be a keeper.
Thanks a bunch!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,053
From: NM
It's a pig in a poke until you get the heads off and check for obvious signs of a cracked block. $250 tops until you know, IMO. It appears that the truck has at least been kept where rain won't get into the engine, but I'd offer to pull the heads yourself prior to purchase (make sure the price is fixed!!).
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 551
From: Kalispell, MT
Is there antifreeze in the radiator? If it has been sitting and the coolant hasn't been sucked thru a crack in the block you're probably good.
Oil in the crankcase and normal in color? Probably dark but as long as it doesn't look milky its probably ok.
A flathead with no history is a potential boat anchor. This one looks very stock. IMHO that flathead, without a chance to pull heads is a $100 possibility. You could likely clear $100 if the block turns out to be cracked and you have to part it out.
If it turns over - a little more maybe. If my above criteria are met then I'm in the neighborhood with Ross.
fwiw, I have a cracked block that under pressure will suck the entire 5 gallons of coolant thru the #6 cylinder and out the exhaust in about 5 minutes. I loosened the rad cap and pulled the thermostats out, then ran it home by adding water as needed. The trip home was from central Illinois to nw Montana back in '01. About 1500 miles.
Point is: just cause its sitting there doesn't mean its a viable engine.
Oil in the crankcase and normal in color? Probably dark but as long as it doesn't look milky its probably ok.
A flathead with no history is a potential boat anchor. This one looks very stock. IMHO that flathead, without a chance to pull heads is a $100 possibility. You could likely clear $100 if the block turns out to be cracked and you have to part it out.
If it turns over - a little more maybe. If my above criteria are met then I'm in the neighborhood with Ross.
fwiw, I have a cracked block that under pressure will suck the entire 5 gallons of coolant thru the #6 cylinder and out the exhaust in about 5 minutes. I loosened the rad cap and pulled the thermostats out, then ran it home by adding water as needed. The trip home was from central Illinois to nw Montana back in '01. About 1500 miles.
Point is: just cause its sitting there doesn't mean its a viable engine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
looks o.k. but that dont meen squat . if ti's cheap enough buy it , but if the guy thinks it's worth a fortune and you cant run it or drive it i'd pass on it . keeps saying flathead huh ? i'm wondering if he ain't got barrett-jackson- itis . there's a chopped 55 that has been sitting in the same freaking spot for eons here , and it's cool , caddy sombrero caps etc. , but anyway the last time i talked to the fella i had him convinced to let it go fairly cheap as it needs alot of work , the glass is broken out has been for years . his wife popped up and say's " they go for a lot more than that on that auction on tv so we should get a lot more than that !! " . if this guy has the same mindset well...................
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Flathead Motor
I've done for flatheads over in the last 20 years.
I don't think you should plan on going to a junkyard to drive any truck away. You go to a junkyard to buy parts and to buy restoration projects (such as this truck).
Flathead motors are expensive to overhaul because of the parts prices. Machine shops that do flathead work are scarce. Overhaul usually run about 3000-3500. You can get 2 Chevy 350's or 1 1/2 302's done for that kind of money.
If you are lucky and you pull the heads and find that there are no cracks from the valve stems holes or piston bores or the exhaust ports when you pull the heads. You should have a salvagable motor OK for overhaul. I think the percentage of as salvageable motor are about 50%. The percentage for it to be not frozen, and to be able to fire up afer a quick cleanup etc are less than 5%.
However, I still think it would be a great project.
Good luck. Let us know
Dick
I don't think you should plan on going to a junkyard to drive any truck away. You go to a junkyard to buy parts and to buy restoration projects (such as this truck).
Flathead motors are expensive to overhaul because of the parts prices. Machine shops that do flathead work are scarce. Overhaul usually run about 3000-3500. You can get 2 Chevy 350's or 1 1/2 302's done for that kind of money.
If you are lucky and you pull the heads and find that there are no cracks from the valve stems holes or piston bores or the exhaust ports when you pull the heads. You should have a salvagable motor OK for overhaul. I think the percentage of as salvageable motor are about 50%. The percentage for it to be not frozen, and to be able to fire up afer a quick cleanup etc are less than 5%.
However, I still think it would be a great project.
Good luck. Let us know
Dick
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 9
From: DFW, TX
Thanks for the replies!
All I have seen so far are pictures of the truck. It's ~2 hours away and I hope to go take a look in person this weekend. The asking price is a bit more than I would be willing to pay for the truck sheet metal parts alone. The owner did tell me last night that it has been in their yard for ~10 years and the engine ran when it came in, but didn't know anything else about it. With the info you guys provided, maybe I can convince him the engine, although unique, is very "iffy" for restoration.
The truck has no rims/tires, so what is the bolt pattern for a '53 F-350? I'll need to locate some "loaners" to get it loaded on the trailer if I choose to buy it.
Thanks for all your help!
All I have seen so far are pictures of the truck. It's ~2 hours away and I hope to go take a look in person this weekend. The asking price is a bit more than I would be willing to pay for the truck sheet metal parts alone. The owner did tell me last night that it has been in their yard for ~10 years and the engine ran when it came in, but didn't know anything else about it. With the info you guys provided, maybe I can convince him the engine, although unique, is very "iffy" for restoration.
The truck has no rims/tires, so what is the bolt pattern for a '53 F-350? I'll need to locate some "loaners" to get it loaded on the trailer if I choose to buy it.
Thanks for all your help!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
