Posted by mannyc on Friday, June 07, 2002 at 12:59PM :
In Reply to: Build em or eventually lose em posted by RDavis on Friday, June 07, 2002 at 11:22AM :
there are enough flatheads in the pipeline that we will have them until driving a car or truck becomes obsolete. forklifts, waterpumps, cars, trucks, etc had them and parts are readily available. you can replace almost any accessory on the truck using standard replacement parts. for example you can swap out the stock dist for a gm hei (i did it) you can swap the generator, regulator, etc for a 1 wire alternator. water pumps, oil pumps can be rebuilt by the user or any of the obsolete rebuilders in hemmings advertisers section. send the cores in & they rebuild them. carbs, rebuild the origs or replace with a 1 barrel modern replacement. internal parts, pistons, timing chains, gaskets etc are readily available and could be made by a custom shop if needed. cranks, cams and connecting rods are a bit harder, but i dont see a shortage any time soon.
transmissions- most bearings and seals are still stocked
brakes- replace with helitool
driveshafts & u-joints - use until stock is depleted. then have driveshaft shop build updated modern replacements
I appreciate your desire to stick with the flathead and i have a 237 pump motor that i am going to do a modern rebuild on, but i would take the challenge of getting a drivetrain free truck with a complete body over a complete drivetrain and a rusty body.
my heavy truck rebuilder said that he could rebuild my 237 motor with modern parts to improve performance and time between rebuilds. balancing is the most important thing you can do, then replace pistons with modern replacements using modern ring technology for better sealing and long life. modernize accessories to reduce drag on engine and improve performance. increase breating via cam, 2 barrel carb intake and split exhaust manifold. you will achieve a modest improvement, but there is a limit. a mild rebuilt 318 or 360 will outperform the flattie with significantly less stress on the 318. there is something nostalgic about the flathead. simplifing the picture under the hood with a one wire dist and alternator and jazzing up the engine with the hop up parts says 'simple, modernized, american iron' that's pretty cool. a hemi would be cool too...
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