Introduction

[banjoQ]

My truck is a 36' with a 37' cab. Had an 8BA in it when found. These fit in kinda snug but seems to work out fine. Makes real good power with the light weight of the truck. One thing, determined I have a later steering box. This might have been put in to help with the fitting of the 8BA. Would have to see them both side by side, but it works. I also had to go looking for the vin-ID # for reg. purposes. Could not find it any where. Did some research and found it is supposed to be on top of LH frame rail, under the box. Believe me, it's easier to find a cop who is a car guy to sign it off than it is to do it all legit. I hope TX. DMV does not hold your feet in the fire like Ca. did to me! Good luck with your new project.

[Vic Piano]

Some of the people on this form always get their panties in a bunch unless cars/trucks are exactly the way Henry built them... Don’t let them bother you, as there are plenty of guys that will help you with your questions, etc. As far as I'm concerned... a Fordillac is fine with me, and I love Flathead Fords! Once again, welcome to the FordBarn.

[Shadetree]

Jimisbell,
Welcome to the Fordbarn. Swap that Caddie out with a Ford Flathead and enjoy your ride!

[Mike in AZ]

here's a link to MacVP's website, which has a wealth of info about flatheads, transmissions, etc..etc....link will show where to look for serial number...good luck....Mike

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm

[59ab]

Welcome to the barn! You will fit in fine.
Eddie

[JM 35 Sedan]

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Originally Posted by mart

those limey bastards.

lololol

After a good laugh from Mart's post, I wanted to come back and say....

jimisbell, welcome to the Fordbarn! Regardless of the type of car you have and which engine powers it, I'm sure you can and will learn something here most every day. Also, I am betting you can teach some of us a thing or two as well. It's all good. Enjoy your car and have fun.

[jim1932]

In my limited experience and knowledge I will try to clarify the issues as I know them.... FordBarn is predominantly restored Ford vehicles. There are many on here that have both restored and hotrodded, or mildly modified ( better brakes, 12 volt etc.) . The HAMB which is the bottom forum in the link if for any make hotrod.

That said, there is considerable backlash against vehicles classified as a ratrod. I gather it is like porn, no one can clearly define it, but they know one when they see it. In my definition, a ratrod looks like a car put together in a junkyard with spare parts. Not just the primer, but things like tractor grills and odd parts. I think yours flirts with the line between hotrod and rat rod, part the paint and part a lack of refinement (like the interior).

It has the makings of a nice rod. In addition to the flattie I would redo the dash, clean up the floor panels....

[jimisbell]

Well.........not to start an argument....but I didnt bring it up.....

1)I dont see paint being a reasonable criteria. I have seen glossy paintjobs that look worse than a good flat paint.

2) I grew up with hot rods in the 1950s, graduated HS in '54. Hot rods are any car with a non stock engine PERIOD.

3) Rat Rod was a term coined in the 1960s by people that wanted to feel better about spending huge amounts of money on a car made out of steel tube and plastic containing ONLY one true automotive product, the engine. It gave them someone to look down upon after their silly expenditures on a car that would never grace a racetrack.

4) if the difference is "finished/unfinished" then I think that is a very inane criteria.

I will say no more on the subject except to cite my 77 years and 120+ cars of expertise growing up in Southern California.

[Vic Piano]

Bottom line is; it's your car, do as you please! I have to say, according to some of the previous descriptions (to classify a car as a "rat rod", i.e. paint & interior), at the moment our '39 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Club Coupe would fit that criteria... I seriously doubt that anyone, including the author of that aforementioned description, would classify our '39 LZ as a rat rod...

[Fibber Mcgee]

Put a Flathead in it and I'd drive it.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Vic, that Zephyr is one of the nicest looking 'rat rods' that I have ever seen

[Vic Piano]

Thanks John... I appreciate that Guess I'll have to call her the "Zephyr Rat" from now on...

[OLDTGUY]

Jim,
Welcome to the FordBarn.
JJ

[jimisbell]

Originally Posted by richard crow

i had a 40 with a caddy in it it fit very well no cuting did they install it with an auto trans did they convert to open drive if they did you have a lot of work ahead of you in m.o.p if it runs good leave it in there if some one don,t like it they don,t have to look at it

Its got a TH400 Automatic tranny in it.

Picked it up yesterday morning in St Louis. Only two things noted, the electric fuel pump is not functioning ($40 will fix that) and the right front brake caliper was frozen and had to be dismantled to move the car. ($150 should fix that).

All in all I am very satisfied with it.

I have, under my bench, a pair of ancient Edelbrock intake manifolds for a flathead, one for two and one for three Stromberg 97s, and three Stromberg's, and I also have a pair of Navaro, finned, aluminum heads. Been saving these for 40 years to put on a flathead. Now I need to find a flathead and tranny combination.

I need to swap out that auto tranny to keep my wife from using it to transport her old lady friends to tea....LOL

[Mart]

There are guys one here that get a new one torn for them when they have an otherwise stock pickup that has a later 5 speed gearbox fitted. Same sheet metal, same interior, same axles, outward appearance the same as stock.

The barn is primarily for restored fords, but generally people have the good grace to tolerate cars and trucks that are a little way off stock but still heavily early Ford - in other words hopped up later flattys, hydraulic brake conversions, even t5 tranny's.

But, come on, lets not kid ourselves, your car is so far out of the fordbarn remit that plainly and simply put, it does not belong here.

If you want to be taken seriously, don't pretend that the only difference between that vehicle and a restored stocker is the paint.

If it still looked like the 37 pickup it claims to be, but had an early caddy lump adapted to the early ford box then you might slide in, but even then it's a slender "might" (I doubt it even then) but I'm sorry, I don't know where you would go to feel at home with that one, but it ain't here.

I know we're all supposed to be supportive and not say anything nasty, but I couldn't hold it any longer. I have moderated my language and comments from the first ones that came into my head.

Ok, lets end on a positive note - if you want to build up a nice flatmotor with some nice goodies, great, there will be plenty of people offering advice and help. Only it would be better if it were destined for something that resembles the early ford it was when it was built.

Mart.

[Vic Piano]

So Mart, let me get this straight. Not to belabor the point but, if I install an 8RT in an 8N tractor, will that pass muster on the FordBarn??? Or how about a 221 85 HP, in say a Pinto or Vega or Nash Metropolitan ... The point is, we are all "car guys" here,with a slant toward Flathead Fords, but everyone with an interest in Flatheads should be welcomed to the party! I think its obnoxious and arrogant for anyone to discourage someone from participating on the forum because their car/truck differs in any degree from what is presumed to be acceptable... If all you want to see and talk about are over restored "as Henry built it" flatheads, go to the EFV8 Club web site Remember, this is a hobby... not a home owners association!!!

[done4]

Jimisbell, no disrespect and it is a very cool ride but I have to agree with Mart. Maybe the HAMB side.

[jimisbell]

Well, I thought the whole thing was about Flatheads.

Secondly, I never said it was a restored or about to be restored truck. I stated from the get go that is was a Hot Rod and I wanted to put a period Flathead in it.

I guess you two guys would really enjoy that English site. They wouldnt even talk to me!!

But I am the newcomer here so its not my choice. You want me to go???

Not saying I will.....LOL

[Torchie]

Thank you Vic Plano.
My two cents. (or Less)
I am on 3 different forum's.
HAMB for Hot rods and customs.
Ford barn for stockers and the wealth of flathead info.
Rat Rods Rule or RRR for the amazing talent and creativity that is shown in many of these builds. And I use the same name on all of them.
There I said it!
The HAMB is the one that trashes the so called Rat Rods as being pieces of junk thrown together. To dispell that notion I suggest a vist to Rat Rod Rule and take a look at some of the workmanship.
When i started my current build I posted a thread on RRR because I knew what would happen on the HAMB as it would be considered a rat rod. Now that it is changing directions slightly to a Full on custom some Hamber's that have seen pics want me to post a build thread as well. Rat rod or custom the quality of the workmanship is still the same. Done by me.
The bottom line for me is this. Restoration, Hot Rod. Custom, Rat rod. Well built is well built regardless of what we call it.
p.s. I am running a totaly stock 41 Ford chassis with an 8ba flathead and 3 on the tree.
Torchie.

[Vic Piano]

Jimisbell, stick around, it'll be fun... some of these purists need a jolt of reality once in a while... I assure you, most of us will enjoy your company.