Flat head blocks ?

[Bob NH]

I'm sure this has been thrashed to death before but looking for a little input ? A fellow I know wants to know if I am interested in about three flat head blocks that he has had quite some time and I think he said the cranks are there also. I told him what little I knew about favorite places to find cracks, along the pan rails, between valve chambers and cyl bores etc. How chancy is it taking a shot on these even if they appear good to the eye ? I read a lot about pressure testing etc. to find hidden surprises.

[Kube]

I suppose it depends on your need and cost to acquire.
You are 99% certain to find some cracks. If you are lucky, they will be easy to repair. Still, count on finding cracks.
If you are looking to flip these for profit, I'd keep in mind that few folks will pay you much more than a minimal core value without proof they are salvageable blocks. If you go to the trouble and expense to have them properly checked for cracks, you may, you just may, break even.
Even then, from my experience, most folks will want them for nearly nothing as they factor in shipping costs.

[19Fordy]

Depends on year of the blocks and if:
1. they have been stored inside
2. do they have main bearing caps
plus more.
3. Are they rusty? Are they complete?
Your question depends on so many variables.

I have a gut feeling this stuff is getting more difficult to sell for big money as
you consistently hear that many folks go thru many blocks before they find a good one.

Plus, the market is changing.

[deuce_roadster]

I and most of my friends wouldn't put any money into a flathead block unless it passes several tests. Keep in mind, there can be cracks where your eye cannot see. I know of a recent block that passed mag and a sonic test for core shift but when pressure tested with soapy water, bubbles came out of the exhaust port like a Lawrence Welk bubble machine. You couldn't see the crack anywhere. If the person is a friend he should let the blocks be tested before any money changes hands with no problem. Also remember there are fees for the important tests. As Kube said, easily repairable cracks are one thing and should be expected but you are looking for the fatal ones.
Very few are looking for the early babbit main engines if your plan is to sell them.

[Tim Ayers]

In my unfortunate experience hunting down a good block, they are not worth anything unless cleaned, magg'd, pressure AND sonic tested. If the block passes all these tests, then it can be considered a good block.

Depending how cruddy, greasy or rusty they are, you may find you'll have to clean them a few times in order to do the testing properly. You really should get the water jackets as clean as possible and remove all the crud before sonic testing. This reduces your chances of getting an inaccurate thickness reading.

[flatheadmurre]

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I must be dumbass that likes lotteries then...lol
I grab a bunch of them each year and pay the wholesale price knowing atleast half of them will have issues...
On the other hand i have stopped selling anything as is...then customer can choose between fixing themself or ready to go...but no surprices.

[19Fordy]

Just curious, what is the wholesale price in Sweden?

[flatheadmurre]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Just curious, what is the wholesale price in Sweden?

I go to MN each year and pick up a 40ft container of ford parts.
This year will be the first for a long time with no visit i assume

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by flatheadmurre

I must be dumbass that likes lotteries then...lol
I grab a bunch of them each year and pay the wholesale price knowing atleast half of them will have issues...
On the other hand i have stopped selling anything as is...then customer can choose between fixing themself or ready to go...but no surprices.

Not a dumbass, just buying right. Like I said, not worth much unchecked and untested. If you get them cheap, you know it's a gamble and it could pay off.

I'm talking about folks paying the same money for an unchecked block as one that is.

[philipswanson]

Give him 50 bucks for the three of them and you might be all right. The cranks are worth that if std and not rusted out. If stored outside, you will probably want to pass.

[Bob NH]

Just the wise advise I was looking to hear. These items have been inside for a long time under cover. I would not mind having them but not sure why ? I probably should not mention his many gas pumps and Coke stuff to see if he wants any of that to go away either? Thanks for the input guys

[richard crow]

i have a 59ab block striped with main caps don,t see any cracks 300 dollars if you buy it & find a crack i will refund your money block must be picked up on long island unless you hire some one to ship it for you

[38bill]

Originally Posted by flatheadmurre

I go to MN each year and pick up a 40ft container of ford parts.
This year will be the first for a long time with no visit i assume

Are you dealing with FLAP here in MN?

[flatheadmurre]

Originally Posted by 38bill

Are you dealing with FLAP here in MN?

Floyd and Skip are good people to deal with.
Think i have turned every stone at their yard but Since Skip buys stuff i usually find something every year.

[tubman]

If you haven't met "Murre" on one of his trips to the "Land of Sky Blue Waters" each year, you should if you're close. He's a great guy and a fountain of knowledge (plus, a top notch machinist). He knows more people here than I do and I've been at it since before he was born.

[38bill]

Originally Posted by flatheadmurre

Floyd and Skip are good people to deal with.
Think i have turned every stone at their yard but Since Skip buys stuff i usually find something every year.

I frequent FLAP often as I live close to them. When I was building my pickup they had seven '38/'39 pickups in their yard. I think I collected parts off each one of them to use on mine. About a year ago Skip did a presentation for the local history club about FLAP. It was interesting to find out that back in the day they had a oval dirt track on site that hosted organized racing. Let me know next time your here.

[Newc]

Hi; On the West coast the 'down under' fellows help clean out the old barns. Got one ready to go in Sweet Home, Oregon. V8er wants it all gone at once- No 'cherry pickn'. All ready posted about 12 photos in this Forum. Newc

[Pete]

I have a system that works for me.
I have a part time "picker" friend and when I need a block, I let him know. After awhile he collects 4 and calls me. I pick them up. I give them all my usual tests.
The ones that fail, I take back and he sells them for scrap. The ones that test good, I give him $300 apiece. A couple of times it has taken 2 trips to get a good one.