Thread: 36 Flathead

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In considering the cost of a late model engine and all that goes with that, I'm considering tricking the old flathead....It runs great once it starts, but if it doesn't kick in on the first try, your pushing it over the neighborhood. Could be just the carb that leaks to ears...And like I said, if it doesn't kick in on the first attempt, the starter will not kick again as though the battery is dead....Yes the battery reads full charge...What gives?

Also what are thoughts on the old flathead? How many horses could I anticipate if I went with three strombergs, edlebrock, hotter ignitiion system, 12volt, and maybe some offenhauser heads?

Could I go with a bigger cam without a rebuild of the engine?

Well that's a very nice looking coupe. From the paint scheme it may have been "improved" during the years with a later engine and/or better brakes (the mechanical brakes were/are terrible unless in excellent condition!). Count the studs on each head. I believe the original '36 had only 21 studs and maxed out at about 85 H.P. stock, but if it has 24 studs that is a later engine and may be a 59-AB rated at 100 H.P. stock. Both these engines had the water inlet in the top center of the heads. The later '49-'53 8-BA engines had the water inlets at the front corner of the heads and the distributor came out of the top front at an angle while the earlier blocks had the distriibutor down low under the water pumps. This is all standard knowledge to geezers over 50, but seems to have been lost in time. Sorry to disappoint you but unless you stroke the engine with a 4" Mercury crank from '49-'53 along with proper rods and pistons you cannot expect much more than about 120 H.P. with bolt on accessories. The Isky cams will give more H.P. but you will have to pull the stock lifters (not easy) and replace them with adjustable lifters if you change the cam. The parts are not too expensive but pulling out old lifters may be easy or tricky depending on wear. At the other end of the spectrum it is possible to bore and stroke a 59-AB (24 stud) using a Merc crank and also to "relieve" the block around the valves to a depth of about 1/8" to achieve about 270 H.P. but now you are into much more cost than just to rebuild a small block Chevy 327/350 to mild improvement for at least 250 H.P. The problem is that flathead parts are now more expensive than rebuilding a more modern OHV engine. As an old Ford fan I know you might want to use a small block Ford 289/302 but that interesting idea runs into a problem with a long water pump nose. That problem can be solved with an expensive short water pump and the Ford block is lighter, but the Chevy has more torque. Therefore if you can live with nostalgia get the Edelbrock heads and maybe a two-pot intake along with a Mallory ignition and hope you get 120 H.P. Actually with a 3.78 rear gear you should still have good acceleration, but the top speed may top out at a little over 80 mph. Have fun!

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

The engine has 21 bolts and according to the odometer has 53k...now just how many times it has rolled over I don't know....
Thanks for the info on getting power up.....I would indeed rather have a 302, but I am finding the base engines more expensive not to mention the special mods required to make it fit...

Maybe I'll play around with the flathead for awhile...thanks again...

take a look around Vern's shop...
http://www.fordflathead.com/cart/index.php

Originally posted by joevol
I would indeed rather have a 302, but I am finding the base engines more expensive not to mention the special mods required to make it fit...

Maybe I'll play around with the flathead for awhile...thanks again...

I'll trade you a 289 and c4 for your flathead

That's the original V8-85 type engine, 21 studs, water pumps in the heads. High comp heads were available, but I haven't seen 'em for years. Try swap meets for speed stuff, the numbers don't tell the whole story. Old flatties respond well to any improvements, and the sound is beautiful!

Can't beat a flattie. Don gave you excellent info on the flatties and I had a 53 merc that was tricked out and probably put out 140HP which in a rod that weighs 2,000lbs. would move it pretty good and the sound of the flatties with cherry bombs was well you can't really describe it until you actually hear it run.