looking for a flattie
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Where ae you in NC? Where is the engine? Just Curious. I am originally from SE VA.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 9
SW VA is an awesome place. The VA Creeper, the AT, Grayson Highlands, the New River, Floyd County, BRSR, one of my favbrite places to go. Where specifically are you from? This flattie is located up near Lexington.
Since I was looking to rebuild it I didn't know how much of the current components could be used again as opposed to being replaced. If I have to replace a good bit of it anyway then maybe I should be looking at ones that are already torn down to better evaluate for cracks. I don't know that that makes any sense...just trying to consider my options.
If I do get this thing and it does wind up having some issues, are they generally repairable or am I out my money and back to square one?
Since I was looking to rebuild it I didn't know how much of the current components could be used again as opposed to being replaced. If I have to replace a good bit of it anyway then maybe I should be looking at ones that are already torn down to better evaluate for cracks. I don't know that that makes any sense...just trying to consider my options.
If I do get this thing and it does wind up having some issues, are they generally repairable or am I out my money and back to square one?
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: saskatoon, SK
flatheads are kinda like playing the lottery, you have to pay to play and the odds arent in your favor. Whether or not you buy a block or a whole motor, they both have their pros and cons. whole motor: pro- whole motor, con- 50+ years of built up sludge, and possible cracks, worn bearings and other parts that go along with 50+ years of use. Core: pro- already disassembled and available for easy visual inspection. Con- having to buy all other necesary parts (valves and guides, oil pump, crank etc.)
Both cases i suggest you magnaflux the block to find any and all cracks. There will be some sort of crack(s) there. Whether or not it is repairable or useable, fluxing will tell you. Thats where your out some $. A little money now saves a lot of money later.
Both cases i suggest you magnaflux the block to find any and all cracks. There will be some sort of crack(s) there. Whether or not it is repairable or useable, fluxing will tell you. Thats where your out some $. A little money now saves a lot of money later.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Chris just gave you a very good and honest reply. It is a crap shoot or to parpahrase Forrest Gump's mother, "Flatheads are like a box of Chocolates. You never know what you are going to get." A torn down block can help eliminate a lot of the guess work but then you don't have the rest of the parts.
I am originally from Newport News (SE VA). You might get away with finding a good one there. It gets hot in VA but not for all that long a period of time. Does get cold enough to freeze crack a block though. Check the coolant and the oil. If there isn't any coolant add some to see if it turns the oil brown. They crack at the bottom of the block when they freeze.
Good luck with it.
I am originally from Newport News (SE VA). You might get away with finding a good one there. It gets hot in VA but not for all that long a period of time. Does get cold enough to freeze crack a block though. Check the coolant and the oil. If there isn't any coolant add some to see if it turns the oil brown. They crack at the bottom of the block when they freeze.
Good luck with it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 82
From: Utah
I would pull the heads as others have said to visually check for cracks and or valve seats that are rusted and don't hold compression. either that or at least do a compression check on all eight cylinders...
I picked up a 53 8Rt last year, I heard it run, everything sounded/seemed fine, Oh how I wished I had done a compression check, #3 cylinder exhaust valve seat was so rusted had no compression. and the #6,&7 cylinders had nice big cracks from cylinder over to valve pocket.
# 6 &7 may have still passed a quick compression check??? but number #3 would have definitly been the big red flag, of course that can be machined and hard seats installed, but sleeving (if cracks not to bad) and welding the block is expensive, so I have heard..
so a running engine may or may not mean a whole lot???
Good luck
Josh
I picked up a 53 8Rt last year, I heard it run, everything sounded/seemed fine, Oh how I wished I had done a compression check, #3 cylinder exhaust valve seat was so rusted had no compression. and the #6,&7 cylinders had nice big cracks from cylinder over to valve pocket.
# 6 &7 may have still passed a quick compression check??? but number #3 would have definitly been the big red flag, of course that can be machined and hard seats installed, but sleeving (if cracks not to bad) and welding the block is expensive, so I have heard..
so a running engine may or may not mean a whole lot???
Good luck
Josh
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 9
Guys, thanks for the advice. Sounds like a $500 crap shoot at best. I haven't come across anything else yet that is any better and from the feedback I'm not sure if I will. Sounds like sometimes the crack can be repaired...what does that typically run? I'll probably still check it out but won't know for sure what I have until I tear it down...which by that time it will be considered mine.
Tex...sorry about the confusion on SW vs SE VA. Seemed to have that on the brain since I'll be headed that way Friday.
Tex...sorry about the confusion on SW vs SE VA. Seemed to have that on the brain since I'll be headed that way Friday.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale CA
Here is an add in Craigslist. I called the guy and he says its a good one....but how can you know. Price is too high ...maybe he was high when he placed the add. I also have a pic he sent.
Reply to: see below
Date: 2009-02-25, 7:49AM PST
1950 V8 flathead and trans it was running when i got it
asking $1.500 obo its all orignal i have pic to send
408-313-6984
Reply to: see below
Date: 2009-02-25, 7:49AM PST
1950 V8 flathead and trans it was running when i got it
asking $1.500 obo its all orignal i have pic to send
408-313-6984
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 9
I bought the one in VA after listening to it run. Doesn't mean it might not have issues but thought it was worth a try. I'm sure I'll have many more questions as I begin the flathead journey. Thanks for the help thus far. More to come.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 837
Likes: 0
From: Standish ME
I live right down the road from a 1953 f-2 witha flattie 8. Im in central MA. I was going to buuy the flat bed off of it but if you want the motor i could buy the truck and then take the motor out and ship it to you if you help with the cost of the truck and pay for the shipping. PM me if interested. I can try to get some pics if you are interested.
keep me posted
keep me posted
