Ford Flathead vs small block chevy debate!

[gerrald meacham]

Im putting a flat head back in my 1934 ford its exciting. I feel like a kid again . Cant wait to get it on the road , difficult to turn back the clock and pricy too

[BrianCT]

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

Installing a SBC in an old flathead, does not involve cutting the firewall. Installing a newer Ford engine, calls for the firewall to be cut and altered. I would never do either.
MIKE

I will never do it again , but I did put a 1965 289 in a 34 in1966 and did not have to cut the firewall. Ran an early 50's 3 speed .

[JM 35 Sedan]

There really is no debate especially here on this forum. Flat is where it's at!! When I was young and foolish I pulled an 8ba out of my '35 3W Coupe and put in a '64 327 SBC. I just hope the Flathead gods will somehow forgive me for doing that

[Gary in La.]

This chevy motor topic has been talked to death too many times on a flathead Ford forum. Lets put it to bed!

[estout81]

I don't know where this myth of having to cut the firewall to put a sbf into an old Ford came from! In '64 I bought a '40 Ford and put a sbc in it. Drove it till '67 when the 289's were kicking butt! Had to have one of them 289's! Trouble was back then you couldn't get anything for Fords. I got a 289, souped it up and put it into the '40 WITHOUT cutting anything! Made my own oil pan, headers and many other things! That was HOT RODDING! That car ran so good with that little Ford motor that I have had nothing but Fords ever since. Even put open drive in and used the old Ford suspension. Worked great!

[estout81]

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Forgot to say that I now have a "48 F-1 with a hopped up '50 Merc fh.

[Flathead]

Chevys are cheap, easy, and common, where's the fun in that?

[Ronnie]

here we go "LOL"

Ronnie

[tdlmomowers]

I had always heard that it was because of the sump on the oil pan. Small block Chevys have a rear sump oil pan like a Flathead, where most small block and FE series Fords have a front sump pan. I don't know for sure, but I sure hate to see a nice Ford rod ruined with a Chevy engine in them. Anyone can work on a Chevy, but it takes a real mechanic to work on a Ford.

[sturgis 39]

I agree with Old Ron. You can get 300 cubic inches out of a flathead.

[kwmpa]

all i have to say on the subject

[Marvin/TN]

Well we are still talking about early Fords just not one with a Flat Head in it. Main reason people use sbc in early fords is because they fit better than it's counter part from Ford. Cheaper to build than a Ford, and because you can drive it anywhere you want to go and better yet drive it back home and do it at free way speed. On top of that if you do happen to break down you can go to any Wal Mart and get a part and get it fixed and be on your way. Try that with a Flat Head. Oh I do have a 59 AB in my 46 Ford coupe and stock 4 banger in my 30 Ford Coupe.

[Marvin/TN]

And neither do you have to cut the X-member or split the wishbone to put a SBC with an auto trans in a 46 Ford either

[296 V8]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Small block chebbys were designed for the poor stupid people that can't afford, or are not smart enough to build a Flathead

Perfect ^^^ right there





Actually I believe its un debatable ….. the two have nothing in common …. hell one is green and the others orange.

[Tim Brown]

I went to get my popcorn and this thread is already 34 posts long! We spend a lot of money to go slower with our flatheads. Some folks will never understand that. I'm not sure that I want them too... I like flatheads! I also like hinges, door handles, chrome windshield frames and four piece hoods. Just as soon as this "ratrod" thing blows over, maybe parts will get kinda cheap again, or maybe not.... Hmmmm?

[Ford46]

Tim Brown.....Amen Brother! Putting in a OHV was the thing to do at one time, now it's build a flathead. Things have come full circle. As to "rat rods" (POS) I agree with Tim. LouB.

[hombres ruin]

SBC is just a easy option when you don't want to think about the engine it's self. I really don't understand this constant fascination with the SBC in fords. These people act like there was no other engine around before the SBC. Flatheads were driven across country up and down this country .people like easy.bow ties are for dinner suits not ford rides.

[41ford1]

Popping corn now. BTW I agree with Ol'Ron.

[Barry-ct]

Debate? what debate ? It's Flatheads and nothing but in our old Ford!!! I'm all for nostalga and I don't care if my F-1 doesn't go a million miles an hour. I like my flathead, there's nothing else in the world like it. Has it's own sounds when starting and running. Ol'Ron hit it right on the head in his statement. Putting an sbc in is the lazy man's way out. I feel those people aren't up to the challenge of building a flathead. Thier loss.............

Barry

50 F-1

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