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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: panama city, fl
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hello all i have a truck i got when my father passed away but i dont know much about it yet as it is still back home and i have to go get it. but i do believe it has a flat head motor in it and im trying to decide if i should pull out the flathead and put in a newer motor or rebuild the flathead and advise would be awsome.
Darksider
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,425
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From: Burlington, CT
If i had a flatty in my truck when i bought it ( pick any of the 4) i would have keep it! But since not than i went elsewhere. I really like the look of a flatty!!!!
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From: panama city, fl
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: fillmore calif.
that i can't tell you. i haven't built one in many years. get on the internet or e bay. pick up a few street rodder mags. hit some shows and ask those who have flatheads. at shows you will make friends and maybe get help and ideas. just have fun doing it all
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 4,735
From: Burbank, WA
I'm in the middle of making these same decisions for my truck, and learning about flatheads and where to find stuff. One of the best sites I've seen has been shared by the guys here. Take a look.
Red's Headers and Speed Equipment
Red's Headers and Speed Equipment
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
IMHO, the flathead is a boat anchor. It won't pull much and it won't give you much horsepower without spending a lot of money on it. I'd go with a later engine and transmission. A 302/351 is a good engine for these old trucks. I have redone two trucks that both had good flatheads in them. I sold both of them and went with a 350 Chevy in one and a 302 Ford in the other. I am happy with both trucks....
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: panama city, fl
will a big block fit in the 50's trucks? if i do a swap i want to try to do something really nice and also id like to try to do something different that no one else has done.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
Top late, big blocks are a dime a dozen in 48-56 trucks, including a Viper V10, Mercedes diesel (from this site), not sure about a Cat yet?
I don’t know your experience but any engine transplant is major project and the bigger and more unusual the harder it gets. Plan for a couple of years to finish it, newer engine means better brakes, suspension, and differential.
Get the flatly running if it’s fixable, drive it for a while until the hot no-start, vapor lock, gear whine, gets to you and then think about what you what to do.
Just MHO.
I don’t know your experience but any engine transplant is major project and the bigger and more unusual the harder it gets. Plan for a couple of years to finish it, newer engine means better brakes, suspension, and differential.
Get the flatly running if it’s fixable, drive it for a while until the hot no-start, vapor lock, gear whine, gets to you and then think about what you what to do.
Just MHO.
Last edited by Old F1; Mar 7, 2010 at 11:16 AM. Reason: .....Oh, and rob a bank too!
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Freshman User
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From: panama city, fl
lol ok so it sounds like the flatties have alot of gremlins to them then? i liked the sound of a v10 but i doubt i can afford one lol. yeah im planning on taking my time and i dont believe itll be done anytime before atleast 2 years working unless i get alot of money soon lol.