Motor City Flathead question

[Moonshin'R]

There is several stampings on each corner of the block but the one pictured seems unique.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Moonshin'R

There is several stampings on each corner of the block but the one pictured seems unique.

[sshep]

My Dad's '39 CS has a MCF. Mark built the engine in 1998.



Funny story, it was supposed to get MCF heads on it but it got Offy heads instead. This was due to the fact that Mark was contacted by Ford licensing and was told to stop using the Ford "V8" logo immediately. The irony was that one of Mark's engines equipped with the MCF logo heads and MCF logo air cleaner was touring with the Ford Motorsports trailer at all the NSRA shows that very same year!



Mark contacted his connection at Ford Motorsports to try and get the heat off of him as they were using one of his engines for display. The Motorsports guy said "Sorry Mark" but no department at Ford has any control over the Licensing dept. I believe Mark then applied for the proper licensing so he could start remaking his heads.



Years later I found an original MCF logo air cleaner and bought it. After Mark passed I contacted Phil at Gollers Hotrods to see if he had any MCF heads left. He had one pair of unpolished MCF heads in stock so I bought them.


I am not sure if Shadow Rods is still making the MCF heads or not, but if you are interested I would call them or Gollers Hotrods to inquire.

[sshep]

Pictures

[Bored&Stroked]

I see nothing special about any of the markings you've shown. Those appear to be Offy heads and the mark "F" that you show is most likely from the foundry that made the block or from the factory afterwards. I don't see anything that would denote a company (like MCF) that built the engine later on.

Not trying to rain on your parade - just that what you've posted does not seem related to any particular builder/company.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

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I met Mark Kirby in the late 80s I believe at sNSRA York. He had one of his flatheads running on a raised platform (trailer?) engine run stand. It sounded great and we talked a bit. Nice guy with big plans. If Shadow Rids still exist you should be able to get the most info you can on your engine since they worked with him for a time I believe. His biggest idea was an aluminum flathead block - the holy grail of flatties as he called it. We all know how elusive that is and waaaay to expensive for most. Putting all the latest tech on a new flathead aluminum engine - now that could be the holy grail he was searching for ….

[fordor41]

My buddy had a F/H built by MCF. He supplied a new Merc crank, new in the crate F/H block, heads and 3-2 manifold & a lightened alum flywheel. Ran like crap. delivered it back to them and they said they would check it out. My buddy got it back and still ran like crap.He finally installed a Kong dist and went to 2-2 manifold and got it to run decent. This was in '90's I believe. Had almost 10 grand in the engine

[19Fordy]

Those unmarked heads appear to be unmarked OFFENHAUSER style. Here's some info:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...heads.1179803/

The stamping shown on the block shown was frequently done as part of a date code. HERE'S SOME DATE CODE INFO.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...LOCK+DATE+CODE

I don't think Mark Kirby made any 8BA style heads but, if he did you can be sure they would have had the MCF logo.

[Bored&Stroked]

What 19Fordy said above ^

[Moonshin'R]

Ok, I looked over the upper block and found the date code H/24/M (7/24/1950). I see what you are saying about the heads and the 325# on it. It looks like they are unmarked OFFY heads. I will continue to look around the block as I am cleaning things up to see if I see any numbers or letters. Does anyone know what the "F" and incomplete circle might be? listed in the pictures provided in earlier conversation. Thanks for your help so far 19fordy.

[hotrodcbx]

Originally Posted by Moonshin'R

Ok, I looked over the upper block and found the date code H/24/M (7/24/1950). I see what you are saying about the heads and the 325# on it. It looks like they are unmarked OFFY heads. I will continue to look around the block as I am cleaning things up to see if I see any numbers or letters. Does anyone know what the "F" and incomplete circle might be? listed in the pictures provided in earlier conversation. Thanks for your help so far 19fordy.

The "325" stamp is the depth of the combustion chamber on a Offy head. They came in a number of different depths dependant on the compression ratio and cam lift the buyer may want.

[flathead4rd]

Mark built mine also many years ago. It also has a Potvin cam. My cam was stamped 415 but I could never find any details about it such as lift, duration etc. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by flathead4rd

Mark built mine also many years ago. It also has a Potvin cam. My cam was stamped 415 but I could never find any details about it such as lift, duration etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Was it an original Potvin cam - ground by Potvin/Moon, or a repop of some sort? I'm only aware of a Potvin 3/8, Potvin 400 Climax and a Potvin 425 Eliminator (in the .375 to .425 lift arena).

[petehoovie]

$5K for a set of heads on eBay > https://www.ebay.com/itm/26558329711...e68c%7Ciid%3A1

[19Fordy]

Wow! I bet Mark would be astonished.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Wow! I bet Mark would be astonished.

Somebody has been hitting the BONG a bit hard it appears . . . not a chance in Hell somebody will pay that for those heads.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

Somebody has been hitting the BONG a bit hard it appears . . . not a chance in Hell somebody will pay that for those heads.

A shill would.

[tubman]

Did you see the Baron heads on the same page for $4640? (They have been reduced from $5800.)

Never say never.

[sidevalve8ba]

What was that old saying about a fool and his money........

[Bored&Stroked]

Show me that FOOL . . . be happy to take his money! LOL