Early Motor, worth it?

[1966g10]

Looking for some advice here. A local guy has this motor for sale says its a '35 comes with the tranny. The motor turns over, it doesn't run though.

He is asking $500 for it, is it worth going to look at. I am looking for motor for my coupe just to run. I am familiar with the 8BA motors but nothing this old. Just want to get it running and put in my car.

[1966g10]

Here are some pictures.

[jimTN]

If you have a 35/6 that needs a motor, then it may be the deal for you. It looks complete and if there is no water in the oil or holes thru the block it just might be good. What does the seller say about where it came from etc?

[Lawrie]

Grab the rear axle assy as well.

lawrie

[Fredb_]

I'm no expert, but have purchased and torn down about 30 Ford and Merc flatheads in the past year. It is hard to find one that has NO issues. With the tranny and a fairly complete engine you have some decent value. Since you don't really know it's condition, I would try and get it for a little less maybe $400.

[Brian]

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Actually looks like 33-34 engine/trans/diff. What year is your coupe?

[Fe26]

Originally Posted by Bluebell

What are all the pipes for?

They look like aftermarket conduits for the wires to the spark plugs.

[ford38v8]

You say he's local, so you can do a little amatuer sleuthing... First, examine all headbolts, manifold bolts, transmission mounting bolts, etc, to determine if anything has been dismantled previously. If not, there is a fair chance that it was simply removed to put in a SBC. If anything looks fooled with, be cautious. In the best of circumstances, it may cost you an additional $$$ to get it running, so as Fred says, anything more than $400 is more of a gamble than an investment. I'd say less, but it appears to have all the bolt-ons, which can be costly and time consuming to gather elsewhere.

[39topless]

Ask if you can pay him the asking price but with the understanding that you will (in his shop before taking the engine) remove the heads and intake manifold and take a look. If no good, then he will refund your money, less $30 for new the gaskets that he'll have to buy. PS. those plug wire looms are really cool.

[jetmek]

shift lever and intake manifold are 34 items. those usually need major work to rebuild....sleeves, bore for cam bearings etc. be frugal with your offer

[JM 35 Sedan]

I agree with Brian's assessment, engine, transmission, and rear are all pre '35.

[Mike in AZ]

number on transmisson bellhousing?...above inspection hole?....will give you year of transmission and probably the engine, if all original.....Mike

[bobH]

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Grab the rear axle assy as well.

lawrie

I've tried a good look at the rear end. Unfortunately, my computer version of the pict is not very clear. I think I see radius rods with the 'angle' at the axle end, so the rad rod meets the axle 'straight' fore and aft, as in 90 deg to the axle. If that is the case, it's NOT 33-34, but rather 32. And, it looks like the TT pinion flange might be round. If these guesses are correct, I'd say the rear is the B-style 32, by far the most common 32, with model-A ring and pinion.
If so, that rear wouldn't be worth much to me. This is usually the one you get rid of, in favor of something later. Just opinion.

[AnthonyG]

With the aftermarket looms and how clean the old faded paint is, that it's been rebuilt or had significant work done at some point in the recent past. While I agree the motor ( always with unknown used Flatty's) is a gamble for all the said rational I believe even for $500 if you can get him to let you pull the heads and manifold to tale a look, and pull the top plate on the tranny to take a look it's well worth the cost. If the tranny looks good it alone is worth in the $300 to $400 range, rebuilt $700 to $800. If he throws in the rear assy even for a few more bucks ( $50 to $75 ) go for it. If the engine block turns out to be bad you have the rear assy, the tranny, the heads, intake, carb and maybe more from inside the engine salvageable and could recover more than your investment of $575 if you went that high. A proven running used Flatty price is north of $2500. so if it turns out the block is good your way ahead.

[carguybill]

Good luck pulling the heads. This could be a BIG problem.

[1966g10]

thanks for the replies guys, I will go look at it and see what I come up with.

Like mentioned before its a clean motor, maybe some work has been done.

If I do get it I don't know much about those dizzys and getting them running. Im sure someone on here would be able to point me in the right direction.

[39topless]

If that engine is a '32, as bobH suggests, you've hit the jack pot!!! Those are rare and much sought after. As for the dizzy, you can count on Bubba's Rod Shop to get it going.