Re: Flatheads Engines All Makes

[AMC74Hornet@xxxxxxxxx (Mr. AMC)]

I know I am stepping into this flathead thing big time since I was the
first to reply to the Bio-Diesel flathead post but all these engines
were an ancient design. Ford was the most popular because they were the
only cheap V8 in the 30's to mid 50's that hot rodder's and racers could
buy cheap and the speed equipment business grew from them. In the late
40's when GM came out with the Olds and Caddy OHV V8's the flathead what
ever engine's were dead. Straight 6's, straight 8's and the Ford V8
flattie. Pontiac had a similar looking Corvette style concept car with a
straight 8 flathead Pontiac engine in it in 52-53?. For all you gray
beards here you will know what a Studealac or Fordalac conversion is
from Honest Charlie himself, for you kids read closely the words. The
265 V8 Chevy engine bridged the time from flathead to the modern cheap
OHV engine and has stood the test for 50 years. A cheap simple good
design, nothing more nothing less. The Ford flathead was the best in
it's day which was over in 55.. With all new blocks and modern parts it
can barely make 300 Hp. It looks nice in a new retro rod, fiber glass or
repo steel 32 body  & repo chassis with all the repo 50's chassis parts.
That exotic flattie in the salt flats car has more big bucks into it
than anyone here with the Rambler mentality would even spend on a whole
car or maybe 10-20  cars no less than making an old engine run like
that. Nice for an article in a magazine but not practical for any one of
us but maybe Jay Leno to buy and drive it once a year for the "My
Classic Car Show". Just my 2 cents. I'll just put my regular gas in my 2
1974 Hornets and my 77 Chebby beater.
"Doc"