Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Hello everyone,
My name is Ryan I've been working on a build now since i was 18 years old, I'm now 20. my build is a traditional Model A with a flathead. I've been working on it forever but its takes time and money being young and in college it is a struggle sometimes!! I'm almost at the point of getting my engine built; due to pitting in the cylinder wall i need the motor to be sleaved or bored out. I wanted to know whats a good shop to take my engine to in the tri state area... I'm not looking for anything crazy just an average rebuild. I also want to know what would be an average price for the rebuild so i would know how much more i would have to save up. If anyone could please help me out it would be appreciated also any recommendations for the flathead would also be awesome.
Thank you, Ryan

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

what part of New Jersey? there is Schwamms in strausburg Pa. dont expect to get anything for less then $3000 and expect it to be up toward $5000. if your on a tight budget finding a decent running used motor will be more reasonable

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Schwalm's is very good and he's a heck of a nice guy to deal with. My short block "A" engine he rebuilt for around 3k.
www.schwalms.com
332 Georgetown Road
Strasburg, PA, USA 17579
PHONE: (717) 687-6976

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

I would look around and talk to anyone who might know something. That's what I did, and ended up connecting with the guy at a NAPA store about 20 miles from me. Turns out he had cut his teeth on 8N and 9N tractors, so I figure he could do a flathead. After talking to him for a while, I was pretty confident in his knowledge and abilities. He told me my total bill will be $800-$1200, so I'm expecting $1500. I had the crank and block checked as a first step for $100, and then had the crank turned .010-.010 for $120. This includes boring to 3 5/16. One cylinder had to be sleeved as well.

Unless you can do it yourself, I think this is about as inexpensive as this an be done. Building flatheads ain't cheap. Good luck.

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

I had Schwalm's do all the machine work, pour and line bore the babbitt, balance all rotating assemblies, and lay the crankshaft in place on a '35, 221ci, 21stud engine ~ 2002. Then I did all the remaining assembly on this engine that now resides in my 35 fordor FB sedan that's pictured in my avatar. This was 14-15 years, and ~ 30k miles ago, not long after Ora Landis had taken over this business when Mr. Schwalm, the original owner, passed away.
There specialty was and still is building Model A engines, although in the last 15 years he has probably also done a good number of early Ford V-8 engines. Cost wise, for the machine work, etc., that I had done, use Skidmarks upper estimate, and for the complete assembly of a running engine, figure on about 2x that number, or more, based on what some of my friends have paid there in the last 2-3 years.

Personally, I am getting ready to build two 36 LB engines in the near future, and will more than likely have Charlie Miller (son of Jess Miller, formally located in West Chester, Pa) of Miller's Machine Shop, now located in the area of Nottingham/Lincoln University, Pa., do all the necessary machine work and some of the assembly of these two engines.

https://www.facebook.com/millersmach...ref=ts&fref=ts

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Oh yeah, it cost me an additional $120 for balancing. I forgot about that; you shouldn't. It looks like you're dong an 8BA which, all things considered, should be quite a bit cheaper than an earlier babbitted engine such as "JM" is describing.

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

I had an 8BA block mag and pressure checked, bored, one sleeve installed, valve seats replaced, crank turned, 2 broken studs removed, a bell housing bolt hole repaired, flywheel turned, and all balanced for about $1600 in south Mississippi.

If Tubman's price included assembly, it is a steal.

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

You should contact Precision Engine Parts and Repair in Reeders, PA (near Stroudsburg).
Tel 570-629-6300. They did some engine work for me and I was very pleased with their professional capability. I think they could handle any task on a flathead block without much trouble. Go to their web site - www.precisionenginepa.com. Good Luck!!

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Where in NJ are you located? P&W in Whippany is flathead-friendly shop and does a fair number of them each year.

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

im in central NJ, I'm only looking for the boring or sleeving work I'm capable of doing all the other work not involving a machine. Thanks a lot ill look into them for sure!

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

sounds good to me thanks a lot ill look into it!

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Im located in Central NJ. Thanks for the response i appreciate it!

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Ill definately give them a look, thanks for the response its really helpful. by the way i love the sedan looks beautiful!

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Thank you very much ill give them a call!

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Call and ask for Walt.

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

You might check with Haledon Auto in Haldon NJ. (973-595-8200) They do a lot of old engines and flatheads may be among them. I know a number of guys that have YBlocks done there and they seem satisfied. It' a parts store and machine shop.

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

Thank you for the nice complement on my 35 fordor sedan. I have to admit that I also love it, and love driving it as well. I have to thank a fellow Fordbarner and EFV-8C/A member (V-8er) for stopping by my place in 2007, telling me about this 35 being forsale, that was so nice, and so original, that I just had to go and take a look. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to own it, and the rest of the story is now history :). A few clearer pics attached, and my apologies for hijacking your thread a bit :rolleyes:

Re: Where to send my Flathead in or around NJ
 

No worries at all post all you like, its an amazing ride! she is really an amazing car you have a gem right there!