Flathead 6 upgrades?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 38
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From: Auburn Wa
Flathead 6 upgrades?
I have a'50 F-1 with the flathead 6, I am used to working on SBC's.
What sort of upgrades do guys do on these, if any? While I love the look and authenticity of the flathead I would like to have a little more umph.
What sort of upgrades do guys do on these, if any? While I love the look and authenticity of the flathead I would like to have a little more umph.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
Likes: 3,109
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Flat sixes use to be very popular for dirt track racing, that have almost the same HP rating as a flat eight. In my opinion they're a lot better engine than the eight, they aren't as delicate and don't have the overheating problems that the V8 have. There use to be Hi-Po parts availlable for the flat six but they are very rare now. Once in a while there will be an aluminum head or dual carb manifold that shows up on uPay but they usually go for big $$$. One mod that I have been told about is splitting the exhaust manifold. The owner of an exhaust shop I went told me he cold split the manifold on my flat 6 in my F-2 and I would get a little more umph out of it.
You could also upgrade the ignition system on them but I don't know if there are after market parts specifically for the flat six or if you could use parts meant for another application.
You could also upgrade the ignition system on them but I don't know if there are after market parts specifically for the flat six or if you could use parts meant for another application.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
I also have a '50 F-1 with a flat six and am planning to keep the engine. I plan to drive mine and with the gas prices the six will be a little more easy on my wallet. As previously stated, it has allmost the same displacement as the flat V-8 and is a more dependable engine. It does however lack the "cool factor" of the flat V-8. I agree that splitting the exhaust manifold and putting a dual exhaust system is one thing I would like to do. There is an adapter on the "swap meet" to change over to a 2 barrel carb. that I think would fit the six. If you upgrade to a two barrel carb then an upgrade in the ignition would probably come next along with a change to 12V neg Gnd. Change of the rear gears will allow you to drive at near freeway speeds without working your engine too hard. About 45 mph is about all you can get with the stock gears with out taching the engine too much. Keep us posted on your progress. Always interested in the thoughts of others.
Gil
Gil
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
Likes: 1,050
From: NM
Sure, then you can pass everything but a gas station!
Bob, when you say "split the exhaust", do you mean headers? The optimal arrangement for a 6 combines 2 ports on the front 3 with 1 of the rear 3, and vice versa. Only a header can do that.
Bob, when you say "split the exhaust", do you mean headers? The optimal arrangement for a 6 combines 2 ports on the front 3 with 1 of the rear 3, and vice versa. Only a header can do that.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
Likes: 3,109
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The exhaust guy I talked to, this was about 15 years ago, said he could take the stock manifold, cut it and divide it into two. I didn't talk to him much about it but he said he use to do them a lot when there were more flat sixes around. I have heard others talk about to this too. It must have been somewhat common way back.
split manifold for a flat six??? [Archive] - THE H.A.M.B.
split manifold for a flat six??? [Archive] - THE H.A.M.B.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 2
From: Seattle WA.
This split exhaust was available a couple years ago for the Flathead 6 from a place called Kansas Kustoms (Mike Yoder). They were selling at that time for around $250.00 with return shipping included. Sense I installed the S-10 5 speed and the 3.23 9" rearend I'am getting around 18-20 MPG around town and 24 on the freeway. There is a good book called California Bills Hot Rod Manual by Fisher it deals with Hotrodding the Flathead 6. Probably the best and only publication I have found so far, you can usually find it on Ebay.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
Likes: 3,109
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I like those. I wonder if it would help with the F-2. I don't know if it would be worth it. I only put on maybe 1000+ a year on the truck.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
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From: NM
Yeah, I've seen them mentioned on the HAMB and eleswhere, but I've never seen what exactly they do. Those that Rod has posted appear to be separate castings?
On a 6 with firing order 1-5-3-6-2-4, cars like the Austin-Healey 3000's had cylinders 1, 5, and 3 on one exhaust manifold, with 6, 2, and 4 on the other (best I can remember). They sound wonderful with that arrangement!
On a 6 with firing order 1-5-3-6-2-4, cars like the Austin-Healey 3000's had cylinders 1, 5, and 3 on one exhaust manifold, with 6, 2, and 4 on the other (best I can remember). They sound wonderful with that arrangement!
