Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Here is an engine we just finished for my friend Andy Huck. He has an original 32 roadster that came from his family (best body I've ever seen).

Will be a really fun car and we've created a heck of a great friendship by working together through this 2 year experience. Always quite a journey . . . this one started with a NOS 59AB block - than ended up being a bad casting. :eek:

Andy was new to everything flathead - but he worked side-by-side with me over that period, learning by doing along the way. It is important for all of us to share our knowledge . . . you meet great people and create solid life experiences as a result.

Attachment 467425

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Nice looking flathead! Were you able to fix the issues with the NOS block or did you have to source a different one?

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Very nice looking unit. I wonder about that transmission. I had a built 276 engine ahead of one of those in a '36 3-window about 20 years ago, and it was the weak link. It wasn't the stock '36 box either, but a '39 with later gears and new bearings and synchronizers. After I shelled it out once, I learned to take it easy, but that took all of the fun out of it.

It is the classic combination, though.

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1625444281
Looking very good. Lovely workmanship.

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

While the 39 transmission is certainly a weak link in a vintage power combination, they can be used effectively IF you learn their shortcomings. This can take time and maybe a few broken parts along the way, but it can be done.
You will need a set of 25 tooth gears for any success at all.
Rest assured you can break these but not nearly as easy as the 28 or 29 tooth.

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

I think the F150 3spd with OD would be the best choice.. Wonder what the cam is??
Gramps

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Hi Pete,


Can you explain this please? Lower gear ratio for first perhaps?



"You will need a set of 25 tooth gears for any success at all. Rest assured you can break these but not nearly as easy as the 28 or 29 tooth."

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

B & S Some kind of nice, congrats,

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Looks fantastic Dale. Great stuff sharing your wealth of knowledge.

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Looks very nice!
what cam?

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

The cam is a Potvin 3/8 . . . from none other than my good friend 'Pete' who is on the thread. This is a good cam for a street engine of this size - not too big and not too small . . . a "tweener" in my mind.

Thanks for the cam Pete!

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

There was a casting flaw deep down in the intake port -- a hole into the water jacket. It was a really hard spot to get too - though I managed to "pin it" with 3 pins, still "bubbled" under pressure on my test setup.

While I might have run it with some "water glass" in it, I was uncomfortable building it for Andy . . . as getting water into a cylinder at some later point would not be a good thing.

He plans to take a trip across the United States - the last thing he needs is a block issue about 500 miles from BFE - with no real way to fix it! LOL

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Looks great Dale, good to see you're still at it amigo !

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Thank you my good friend from OZ!

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Now that is how you crate an engine ,,,,that dude could go across country on a wagon train,,,,and still be there in one piece .

Look at it,,,isn’t it beautiful,,,,,that is real workmanship.
Super great looking mill and tranny ,,,,it should really haul !

Tommy

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Congratulations on building such a fine looking engine.
Please keep us posted as to how it performs in the 32.
Well done. Enjoy every RPM.

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Good choice! I have a super 3/8 in my 296" 8BA. Idles a little high but it has no shortage of low RPM torque and revs quickly to 5500. 4:11 gears and 5 speed Tremec in a '34 3 window, weighs in at 2750 lb....

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Nice Dale!

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

The closer the ratios, the less torque multiplication and thus less strain on all of the parts including the case. With a big cube engine and the taller gears there is no problem getting rolling in first gear. The taller gears are easier to down shift at racing speeds also. With the 25's it is easy to down shift into first at 60 mph.

Re: Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .
 

Thank you Pete!
Wow, shift into first at 60!!