flathead 60
 

hi,looking into buying a ford flathead 60.looking for any info on this engine.is it a good choice for a early rod?

Re: flathead 60
 

It better be a lightweight rod with special attention to the gear choices. There is little torque to spare to pull a car out of bad engineering choices. I have a 60 about forth in line as an AV8-60 roadster project. Already have all the components. Having had one before there is a special sense of how to make it work, but if you do it wrong you may not have a fully functioning hotrod. Most guys would advise against it. The 60 is pretty pricey to build and parts can be tough to find. Good Luck: Fred A

Re: flathead 60
 

the engine i found is a fresh rebuild with edmunds 2 carb intake with early block lettered edlbrock heads ready to run,includes tranny,what you think fred a.

Re: flathead 60
 

I love the V8 60's, got (4) or (5) of them myself.

Your decision will be based on how much it cost and what vehicle it goes into.

I live in the flat lands of the Calif Bay Area, so I have no trouble getting around with my stock V8 60 with the stock 4:44 rear end in my 37 Tudor.

I can tell you this, when you go to a car show or get together, you will get a lot more attention than the more common run of the mill larger engines. ;)

Re: flathead 60
 

thanks for the input 3738,do you think 4k is a good price for this engine.

Re: flathead 60
 

I built a few of them 60's. A friend had 1/2 doz Midgets with the 60 in them. I got a chance to drive one on a horse race track in Bangor Me. about 10 yr's ago. That was alot of fun. Of course those Midgets didn't weigh much. Walt

Re: flathead 60
 

I don't know what to say about pricing, I'll let others chime in on that, as all of mine are stock.

However, I'd say for $4k, I'd want some kind of guarantee...

Re: flathead 60
 

i was told they were only good in midget cars or crackerbox boats.

Re: flathead 60
 

the engine after rebuild is suppose to be rated at 85hp.

Re: flathead 60
 

Had a friend with a T roadster,powered by a 50 hp engine had a clay smith cam, heads and dual carbs. Car had a Columbia rear, believe me this thing could move.

Re: flathead 60
 

If it's a good engine, you could never build it for $4K.

Re: flathead 60
 

thanks guys,this will be my first flathead,think i will go for it.

Re: flathead 60
 

Here's a thread that might give you some added info, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=759180. Also, you might search v-8 60's installed in MG-TD's. That was a popular swap.

I have a 60 that I am starting to think about powering a modified for a very future project.

Re: flathead 60
 

It is a great engine for putting in a T, closed Model A's or anything later are a little heavy.

Re: flathead 60
 

Put one in my '52 MGTD with a t5 gearbox and 3.9 gears in the rear end. Quiet happy with it. Marvin,ct

Re: flathead 60
 

What components were required to put the t5 behind the v8 60. Thinking about putting this motor in an A roadster.

Re: flathead 60
 

Do not underestimate the little V8 60 HP engine. Many have been needlessly removed over the years in favor of the 85 HP and later higher HP Flathead engines. Richard Willim once told me that a 60 HP engine can be upgraded to 100 HP without that much effort. He also wrote a book on the 60 that has a lot of great information. You can order this book on this website: http://www.willimvintageengines.com/

I also met a guy at a car show here in MD who built a Model A pickup for his wife that is powered by a little 60 HP. It looked great, sounded strong, and ran very well. A few pictures....

Re: flathead 60
 

Yo Marvin, what T-5 do you have? That is, what is first gear? And, how does the little car cruise? mpg, rpm at 70 (if you get it going that fast)

Like I said above, with swap meet season coming up, I think I'm going to start lining up parts for a modified T project. Thanks in advance.

Re: flathead 60
 

This man is the go to guy for V-8 60's. Started with his dad building them Now I believe that he and his son are rebuilding them. Yes they were used alot in boats and midgets but nothing wrong with them in a hotrod as well. Buy his book. It is well worth it.
As far as the price goes $4000.00 doesn't seem out of line based on what I have heard that it costs to have some one do a complete rebuild on a big flathead.

Re: flathead 60
 

My t-5 is from an '87 Mustang/Capri 2.3, has 3.97 1st gear, 0.79 5th gear. It bolts up to an adaptor that a friend made up for me. The adaptor bolts up to an 85 hp bell housing. Don't have a speedometer or tach hooked up yet, but I can keep up with the traffic if I want to. Marvin,ct