The Ford Barn

30aadoodlebug · 08-09-2017, 05:15 PM

Hey all,

So I'm new to the whole flat head thing. My uncle just gave me a 50 Country Squire as he doesn't have the time to put into it any longer. I experience with model a's, and later Ford trucks including diesels, but this is my first steep into the flat head territory. I don't have the car in my possession yet, as it's being shipped from California, and I'm in Massachusetts. I did, however, buy a 50 Tudor donor car to help with the restoration. I recently tore down an old late 40's Mercury flat head that has been in my parents barn since before I was alive; but the block was trash due to oil pan deck cracks, which leads me to believe it froze at some point. My plan is to take the crank out of this block and put it into the engine out of a donor car.

Here's some pics of the woodie, and any info on where to go from here with the restoration is appreciated!

Thanks,

Jon

30aadoodlebug · 08-09-2017, 05:16 PM

I also forgot to mention that the car currently has an 95 Corvette 350 engine, transmission, and drive train in it.

corvette8n · 08-09-2017, 05:38 PM

It's good you have the donor car it will help with what goes where, are you planning a frame off or just replace the non ford stuf? It look like a solid project, Early Ford V8 Foundation has a book out covering 49-53 I believe, I have the 41-48 book myself, lots of good information. Keep the pictures coming as you progress with you project.

JSeery · 08-09-2017, 05:49 PM

Edited out stupid reply, I misread the original post! Nice looking wagon by the way!

30aadoodlebug · 08-09-2017, 05:52 PM

its a 49 crank

JSeery · 08-09-2017, 05:55 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 30aadoodlebug

its a 49 crank

OK, re-read your post! Late 40s.

51 MERC-CT · 08-09-2017, 06:49 PM

Same assumption.

30aadoodlebug · 08-09-2017, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the info on the literature. I get the parts car this weekend, and plan on pulling the engine, tranny, and rear-end. Once I have questions, Ill be sure to post photos. Complete different subject, but is the local New England V8 club worth joining for help on the restoration? I joined the local model a club a few years back, and all it was was a bunch of old guys who wanted nothing to do with someone young and new to the hobby.

39portlander · 08-09-2017, 07:50 PM

[QUOTE= Complete different subject, but is the local New England V8 club worth joining for help on the restoration? I joined the local model a club a few years back, and all it was was a bunch of old guys who wanted nothing to do with someone young and new to the hobby.[/QUOTE]

I really think you read the "old guys" wrong, you got to wait and earn their trust and respect. I have never met any one older than me in this hobby, especially the T and A guys who were not willing to talk, give/help or otherwise advise on the subject matter.

Try again, there is always one rotten apple but these guys have forgotten more than any publication or book could explain. They grew up with, sold and raced these old Fords that we are resurrecting today, God love em

. Scott

JSeery · 08-09-2017, 07:56 PM

One comment on your parts engine, be sure to have it pressure tested before investing any money in it.

mhsprecher · 08-09-2017, 08:34 PM

Do join the V8 club. They are New Englanders, so it will take a while for them to warm up, but you should know that already. Around here a younger person would be welcomed with open arms, but we are south of the Mason Dixon line.

A nice gift and great that you are taking it back to more original.

A bones · 08-09-2017, 08:57 PM

What a great start. Good Luck rounding up the rest of your needs. I can understand your feelings about some 'A' guys, they ain't ALL bad. This board here is the best .Looking forward to news from you.

30aadoodlebug · 08-10-2017, 05:25 AM

Again, thanks for all the input. I have bought the 49-51 book covering the restoration guidelines of my car from the national club's website. I agree with all of you concerning older model a'ers on the whole. I have been welcomed with open arms by most, and the only people who left a bad taste in the mouth was that particular club. That being said, I have made more long time friends off of this website then anywhere else. Its a wonderful resource, and the people on it are first class.

Kahuna · 08-10-2017, 02:13 PM

Doodlebug
It's unfortunate, but many times a new member is not treated very well at meetings.
I've run into this myself after being invited to join. Was chastised for my radial tires. Saw another member almost run off, because he put Fenton headers on his 40 coupe.
I think you'll find a lot more help here than at any of the so called meetings.
Just my experience
Jim

done4 · 08-11-2017, 10:17 AM

Wish I had an Uncle like yours. That is one sweet car to finish. Good luck and have fun.

chap52 · 08-11-2017, 04:33 PM

There are all kinds in this hobby. The longer your in it you will see how you develop an attitude also. Like mine, I cringe when I walk up to an old Ford and see something rather than a flathead under the hood.
Take your time, ask questions and maybe some of the ol grumps will take a shine to you. If not you will always get great feedback on this forum.

08-09-2017, 05:16 PM	#2
30aadoodlebug Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boxborough, MA Posts: 274	Re: New to the Flat head thing I also forgot to mention that the car currently has an 95 Corvette 350 engine, transmission, and drive train in it.

08-09-2017, 05:38 PM	#3
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,949	Re: New to the Flat head thing It's good you have the donor car it will help with what goes where, are you planning a frame off or just replace the non ford stuf? It look like a solid project, Early Ford V8 Foundation has a book out covering 49-53 I believe, I have the 41-48 book myself, lots of good information. Keep the pictures coming as you progress with you project.

08-09-2017, 05:49 PM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: New to the Flat head thing Edited out stupid reply, I misread the original post! Nice looking wagon by the way! Last edited by JSeery; 08-09-2017 at 05:57 PM.

08-09-2017, 05:52 PM	#5
30aadoodlebug Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boxborough, MA Posts: 274	Re: New to the Flat head thing its a 49 crank

08-09-2017, 06:49 PM	#7
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: New to the Flat head thing Same assumption. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

08-09-2017, 07:18 PM	#8
30aadoodlebug Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boxborough, MA Posts: 274	Re: New to the Flat head thing Thanks for the info on the literature. I get the parts car this weekend, and plan on pulling the engine, tranny, and rear-end. Once I have questions, Ill be sure to post photos. Complete different subject, but is the local New England V8 club worth joining for help on the restoration? I joined the local model a club a few years back, and all it was was a bunch of old guys who wanted nothing to do with someone young and new to the hobby.

08-09-2017, 07:50 PM	#9
39portlander Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suth'N Maine Posts: 1,996	Re: New to the Flat head thing [QUOTE= Complete different subject, but is the local New England V8 club worth joining for help on the restoration? I joined the local model a club a few years back, and all it was was a bunch of old guys who wanted nothing to do with someone young and new to the hobby.[/QUOTE] I really think you read the "old guys" wrong, you got to wait and earn their trust and respect. I have never met any one older than me in this hobby, especially the T and A guys who were not willing to talk, give/help or otherwise advise on the subject matter. Try again, there is always one rotten apple but these guys have forgotten more than any publication or book could explain. They grew up with, sold and raced these old Fords that we are resurrecting today, God love em. Scott

08-09-2017, 07:56 PM	#10
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: New to the Flat head thing One comment on your parts engine, be sure to have it pressure tested before investing any money in it.

08-09-2017, 08:34 PM	#11
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: New to the Flat head thing Do join the V8 club. They are New Englanders, so it will take a while for them to warm up, but you should know that already. Around here a younger person would be welcomed with open arms, but we are south of the Mason Dixon line. A nice gift and great that you are taking it back to more original.

08-09-2017, 08:57 PM	#12
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,283	Re: New to the Flat head thing What a great start. Good Luck rounding up the rest of your needs. I can understand your feelings about some 'A' guys, they ain't ALL bad. This board here is the best .Looking forward to news from you. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

08-10-2017, 05:25 AM	#13
30aadoodlebug Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boxborough, MA Posts: 274	Re: New to the Flat head thing Again, thanks for all the input. I have bought the 49-51 book covering the restoration guidelines of my car from the national club's website. I agree with all of you concerning older model a'ers on the whole. I have been welcomed with open arms by most, and the only people who left a bad taste in the mouth was that particular club. That being said, I have made more long time friends off of this website then anywhere else. Its a wonderful resource, and the people on it are first class.

08-10-2017, 02:13 PM	#14
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: New to the Flat head thing Doodlebug It's unfortunate, but many times a new member is not treated very well at meetings. I've run into this myself after being invited to join. Was chastised for my radial tires. Saw another member almost run off, because he put Fenton headers on his 40 coupe. I think you'll find a lot more help here than at any of the so called meetings. Just my experience Jim

08-11-2017, 10:17 AM	#15
done4 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Union Pier MI Posts: 392	Re: New to the Flat head thing Wish I had an Uncle like yours. That is one sweet car to finish. Good luck and have fun. __________________ Still smokin tires and cigars

08-11-2017, 04:33 PM	#16
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: New to the Flat head thing There are all kinds in this hobby. The longer your in it you will see how you develop an attitude also. Like mine, I cringe when I walk up to an old Ford and see something rather than a flathead under the hood. Take your time, ask questions and maybe some of the ol grumps will take a shine to you. If not you will always get great feedback on this forum.