The Ford Barn

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 09:04 AM

Hopefully you Flathead guys can help with this one. Thinking of a motor swap in my 49 coupe. The original 239 flattie Ford is in it now, and can get a 337 Lincoln. Any instulation info and changes that would need to be made would be apprieciated.

FRANK PKNY · 03-10-2011, 09:29 AM

is the 337 a twelve cylinger? If so the 239 is a better engine. Back in the day we would take them out of lincolns and replace them with ford flat heads.

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 09:39 AM

No it's the V8.

Ol' Ron · 03-10-2011, 09:42 AM

I think this is a bad idea.

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 09:43 AM

Please explain, I'm knew to the flatheads.

sturgis 39 · 03-10-2011, 09:53 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

I think this is a bad idea.

I agree with old Ron. The 337 is a lot larger than the 239. It is a flat head v8 Ford truck engine. Never heard anything good about them. Pretty sure no speed parts are available. They are heavy.

Craig CT · 03-10-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfart36

Please explain, I'm knew to the flatheads.

Hi oldfart36; I wouldn't do it for a number of reasons, most importantly the weight. The 337 is around three hundred pounds heavier than the 239. Then there's fit and fabrication and on and on, Craig.

Jack E/NJ · 03-10-2011, 09:59 AM

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...s-337bigV8.htm

Jack E/NJ

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig CT

Hi oldfart36; I wouldn't do it for a number of reasons, most importantly the weight. The 337 is around three hundred pounds heavier than the 239. Then there's fit and fabrication and on and on, Craig.

I had no idea the wieght difference was that much(backing off quickly). I want to keep the car as original as possible, but give it the 50's flare. My problem is I want to use the car as a daily driver and I feel the smartest thing to do is put a remaned motor in it. Everywhere I check it seems there are 3 month waiting periods, and or brickwalls and excuses. Anybody out there know of a remaned 239 that is road ready?

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 10:11 AM

A quick addition! I've been a chevy guy most of my life, but I'll be dammed before I ruin this shoebox and stick a sbc in it. There's a time and a place for everything and this is not the time and place for a SBC.

Vic Piano · 03-10-2011, 10:55 AM

I would agree with others that have said that replacing the 239 with the 337 in a Shoe box is not the best idea. The 337 ci Truck motor replaced the V-12 in the Lincoln in '49. The Lincoln version was equipped with hydraulic lifters. In '49 Ford introduced the Lincoln Cosmopolitan as the replacement for the Continental, two models were produced, the Cosmo and the Lincoln (called the baby Lincoln by most) the "baby" was essentially a '49 Merc with Lincoln trim and the 337. I would disagree with previous posters about both the V-12 and the 337. I'm privileged to own one of each, the V-12 is in our '39 LZ Convertible Club Coup and the 337 is in our '49 Cosmo Convertible. I have enjoyed driving the '39 V-12 for the past 10 years with virtually no problems, the 337 runs very well and we are in the process of restoring the '49 Cosmo. Vic

rotorwrench · 03-10-2011, 11:11 AM

I would think the Lincoln 337 could be installed in one of the same year model Mercury cars since they have a similar frame and the front suspention could be more easily modified to hold the weight. The 337 was one of the best of the FoMoCo flatheads but only the Lincoln cars and the F7/F8 trucks were built to take that big old block of cast iron.

I don't know of a parts supplier or engine rebuilder that keeps the 239 or 255 L-head V8s in stock on an exchange basis. It would be interesting to know though, if anybody out there does know of someone who does stock short blocks or long blocks. The possibility of the cores being cracked or rusted up is probably too great for any one to take the chance. Most of us just rebuild our own. You might find a flathead friendly machine shop in your area that could help you get yours rebuilt.

Kerby

Barlea · 03-10-2011, 11:25 AM

You could call Chris at Shoebox Ford in OK at 1-800-732-6029, he often has a rebuilt flatty at the ready, good guy to deal with. ..B.

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 01:27 PM

thanks, I'll try that.

FRANK PKNY · 03-10-2011, 01:31 PM

Sorry Vick did not mean to hit a nerve. Grin Frank pkny

Craig CT · 03-10-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfart36

I had no idea the wieght difference was that much(backing off quickly). I want to keep the car as original as possible, but give it the 50's flare. My problem is I want to use the car as a daily driver and I feel the smartest thing to do is put a remaned motor in it. Everywhere I check it seems there are 3 month waiting periods, and or brickwalls and excuses. Anybody out there know of a remaned 239 that is road ready?

Hi oldfart36; Look in the swap meet section here. Page one has a Merc. engine and page five has six all ready to go and there's alot more pages to look through. Good luck, Craig.

Craig CT · 03-10-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig CT

Hi oldfart36; Look in the swap meet section here. Page one has a Merc. engine and page five has six all ready to go and there's alot more pages to look through. Good luck, Craig.

I just remembered another one. Get in touch with Walt Dupont, he posts here, and has been building engines about as long as I've been alive. He has a great reputation and when I was up to visit him last October he was putting together an 8BA just to have around for when someone like you called. Craig.

51 MERC-CT · 03-10-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I would think the Lincoln 337 could be installed in one of the same year model Mercury cars since they have a similar frame and the front suspention could be more easily modified to hold the weight. The 337 was one of the best of the FoMoCo flatheads but only the Lincoln cars and the F7/F8 trucks were built to take that big old block of cast iron.Kerby

The baby Lincoln is 3" longer (from the firewall forward) than the Mercury. Won't work unless you graft a Lincoln nose on the Mercury.
This also increases the wheelbase to 121" as opposed to the Mercury's 118".

Ol' Ron · 03-10-2011, 02:37 PM

Boy! We do learn alott on this forum.

Vic Piano · 03-10-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRANK PKNY

Sorry Vick did not mean to hit a nerve. Grin Frank pkny

No problem Frank, LOL You know I love my Flatheads! Vic

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Boy! We do learn alott on this forum.

I totally agree. Thanks to all you guys, in one day I've learned more about this (ins and outs) then the week I've had the car

Deuce Man · 03-10-2011, 02:56 PM

If you go with the big block flathead 337 you will only have to lower the back for that 50's lowrider look!

51 MERC-CT · 03-10-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce Man

If you go with the big block flathead 337 you will only have to lower the back for that 50's lowrider look!

Or throw another 337 into the trunk

oldfart36 · 03-10-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce Man

If you go with the big block flathead 337 you will only have to lower the back for that 50's lowrider look!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Or throw another 337 into the trunk

OK, I deserve this now

I'll wait for the 239 solution. Just wanted to hit the daily driver for the spring.

03-10-2011, 09:04 AM	#1
oldfart36 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Parsons, Kansas Posts: 44	Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln Hopefully you Flathead guys can help with this one. Thinking of a motor swap in my 49 coupe. The original 239 flattie Ford is in it now, and can get a 337 Lincoln. Any instulation info and changes that would need to be made would be apprieciated.

03-10-2011, 09:29 AM	#2
FRANK PKNY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: POUGHKEEPSIE NY 12601 Posts: 1,016	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln is the 337 a twelve cylinger? If so the 239 is a better engine. Back in the day we would take them out of lincolns and replace them with ford flat heads. __________________ [email protected]

03-10-2011, 09:39 AM	#3
oldfart36 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Parsons, Kansas Posts: 44	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln No it's the V8.

03-10-2011, 09:42 AM	#4
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln I think this is a bad idea.

03-10-2011, 09:43 AM	#5
oldfart36 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Parsons, Kansas Posts: 44	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln Please explain, I'm knew to the flatheads.

03-10-2011, 09:59 AM	#8
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...s-337bigV8.htm Jack E/NJ

03-10-2011, 10:11 AM	#10
oldfart36 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Parsons, Kansas Posts: 44	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln A quick addition! I've been a chevy guy most of my life, but I'll be dammed before I ruin this shoebox and stick a sbc in it. There's a time and a place for everything and this is not the time and place for a SBC.

03-10-2011, 10:55 AM	#11
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln I would agree with others that have said that replacing the 239 with the 337 in a Shoe box is not the best idea. The 337 ci Truck motor replaced the V-12 in the Lincoln in '49. The Lincoln version was equipped with hydraulic lifters. In '49 Ford introduced the Lincoln Cosmopolitan as the replacement for the Continental, two models were produced, the Cosmo and the Lincoln (called the baby Lincoln by most) the "baby" was essentially a '49 Merc with Lincoln trim and the 337. I would disagree with previous posters about both the V-12 and the 337. I'm privileged to own one of each, the V-12 is in our '39 LZ Convertible Club Coup and the 337 is in our '49 Cosmo Convertible. I have enjoyed driving the '39 V-12 for the past 10 years with virtually no problems, the 337 runs very well and we are in the process of restoring the '49 Cosmo. Vic __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

03-10-2011, 11:11 AM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln I would think the Lincoln 337 could be installed in one of the same year model Mercury cars since they have a similar frame and the front suspention could be more easily modified to hold the weight. The 337 was one of the best of the FoMoCo flatheads but only the Lincoln cars and the F7/F8 trucks were built to take that big old block of cast iron. I don't know of a parts supplier or engine rebuilder that keeps the 239 or 255 L-head V8s in stock on an exchange basis. It would be interesting to know though, if anybody out there does know of someone who does stock short blocks or long blocks. The possibility of the cores being cracked or rusted up is probably too great for any one to take the chance. Most of us just rebuild our own. You might find a flathead friendly machine shop in your area that could help you get yours rebuilt. Kerby

03-10-2011, 11:25 AM	#13
Barlea Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Central Alberta Posts: 441	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln You could call Chris at Shoebox Ford in OK at 1-800-732-6029, he often has a rebuilt flatty at the ready, good guy to deal with. ..B.

03-10-2011, 01:27 PM	#14
oldfart36 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Parsons, Kansas Posts: 44	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln thanks, I'll try that.

03-10-2011, 01:31 PM	#15
FRANK PKNY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: POUGHKEEPSIE NY 12601 Posts: 1,016	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln Sorry Vick did not mean to hit a nerve. Grin Frank pkny __________________ [email protected]

03-10-2011, 02:37 PM	#19
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln Boy! We do learn alott on this forum.

03-10-2011, 02:56 PM	#22
Deuce Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Palm City FL> Posts: 556	Re: Need Info. Swapping a 239 Flattie Ford for a 337 Lincoln If you go with the big block flathead 337 you will only have to lower the back for that 50's lowrider look!