The Ford Barn

Ziggster · 08-22-2019, 05:42 AM

I'm in the process of completing one flathead, but recently have been thinking of getting another as either a "spare" or for another potential build. Now one has come up, which is the same year as mine. It is seized and still in the vehicle. The seller is asking $550 which I feel is steep considering I only paid $100 for mine which was in parts when I picked it up. I'll likely go check it out this weekend. What should I be looking for/asking? Pic shows no carb on intake, but other than that motor is complete.

chuck stevens · 08-22-2019, 06:12 AM

I agree with you, I have a 59ab stripped, bare block for 350, you pick it up, Chuck.

flatford8 · 08-22-2019, 06:17 AM

$550 for the whole vehicle or just the motor?.....What is the vehicle it’s in?.....Who pulls it out if it’s just the motor?.....I think $550 is a lot for not really knowing what your getting.....Mark

Ziggster · 08-22-2019, 07:02 AM

Cost is motor only. Looks like it is in a pickup. Agree, it must pulled out ready to go as I'm not messing with trying to get it out.

JSeery · 08-22-2019, 07:10 AM

It is only worth it if you want and can use the parts as there is a high probably the block could be unusable. Unless a block has been checked it is not of much value. A bad block can have value for use as a mockup during construction.

Ziggster · 08-22-2019, 07:30 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Agree. My present flathead has been at the machinist for a year now, and I need a mockup. He did offer one a while back, but he also said my engine would be done end of July. I understand it is a crap shoot, but are there any obvious things I should be looking for? I know for example that the block is prone to cracking along the oil pan interface, but other than that, I don't know of any other areas I should be looking at for cracks.

Bored&Stroked · 08-22-2019, 07:37 AM

The price is high - given that you have no clue as to the condition. Now, if the guy will offer a guarantee "that it is a good rebuilder" - pending a mag check on your end, that is a different deal. What I've negotiated is a "I'll split the cost of a mag test" - if it fails, then I want half my money back on the engine. Some will do this - most won't.

Also, what year engine and how complete is it (do you care). Lastly, did the pickup have a hood on it this whole time - or was it open to water pouring down the carb? More details would help my opinion . . . maybe!

19Fordy · 08-22-2019, 08:34 AM

You are about to waste $550 as the odds of it being good are slim.

deuce_roadster · 08-22-2019, 09:24 AM

The value is really just the block. Since you can't verify it is usable, and the % is small that it is, $500 seems way too high without a money back guarantee. You will spend a fair amount of time and money just finding out if the block is good. You really don't know until you have done several tests AFTER the cursory check for obvious cracks. The pressure test reveals cracks that are in places that you can't see.

Ziggster · 08-22-2019, 09:36 AM

Just spoke with the seller, and was willing to meet me half way on price, but he needs another week to pull the engine, and due to distance from me and timing, it is not feasible. Will keep my eye out for other opportunities.

51504bat · 08-22-2019, 11:27 AM

If you would ad where you're located maybe another Barner near you would have just what you need.

Automotive Stud · 08-23-2019, 11:24 AM

Sounds like way too much for a seized motor, I'd say $100 unless it was a known merc crank. Even then you don't know if it's good.

Ziggster · 08-23-2019, 11:39 AM

This is in CAN$. There is a non-cracked bare block with just crank and rods. Asking price is still CAN$500 which is way too much for me.

rotorwrench · 08-23-2019, 11:41 AM

A mercury engine guaranteed to have the 4-inch crank also has value in the oil pan, the half bell assembly, the clutch, and the flywheel for those that want to put a later engine in an earlier car. I'd pay more than $200 for all that stuff easy but $550 is stretching it a bit. I'd even pay a bit more than that if it came with a guarantee. On a Ford car motor, not so much. I have a bunch of that stuff in my pile.

ronn · 08-23-2019, 01:02 PM

Zigg, there are 2 nice running flaties in TX. Guy wants 750. ea and ready to bolt in with everything complete and nothing needed.

that might be far, but use that price as a reference.

08-22-2019, 05:42 AM	#1
Ziggster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 850	Seized Flathead - is it worth it? I'm in the process of completing one flathead, but recently have been thinking of getting another as either a "spare" or for another potential build. Now one has come up, which is the same year as mine. It is seized and still in the vehicle. The seller is asking $550 which I feel is steep considering I only paid $100 for mine which was in parts when I picked it up. I'll likely go check it out this weekend. What should I be looking for/asking? Pic shows no carb on intake, but other than that motor is complete.

08-22-2019, 06:12 AM	#2
chuck stevens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate new york Posts: 758	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? I agree with you, I have a 59ab stripped, bare block for 350, you pick it up, Chuck.

08-22-2019, 06:17 AM	#3
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? $550 for the whole vehicle or just the motor?.....What is the vehicle it’s in?.....Who pulls it out if it’s just the motor?.....I think $550 is a lot for not really knowing what your getting.....Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

08-22-2019, 07:02 AM	#4
Ziggster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 850	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? Cost is motor only. Looks like it is in a pickup. Agree, it must pulled out ready to go as I'm not messing with trying to get it out.

08-22-2019, 07:10 AM	#5
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? It is only worth it if you want and can use the parts as there is a high probably the block could be unusable. Unless a block has been checked it is not of much value. A bad block can have value for use as a mockup during construction.

08-22-2019, 07:30 AM	#6
Ziggster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 850	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Agree. My present flathead has been at the machinist for a year now, and I need a mockup. He did offer one a while back, but he also said my engine would be done end of July. I understand it is a crap shoot, but are there any obvious things I should be looking for? I know for example that the block is prone to cracking along the oil pan interface, but other than that, I don't know of any other areas I should be looking at for cracks.

08-22-2019, 07:37 AM	#7
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? The price is high - given that you have no clue as to the condition. Now, if the guy will offer a guarantee "that it is a good rebuilder" - pending a mag check on your end, that is a different deal. What I've negotiated is a "I'll split the cost of a mag test" - if it fails, then I want half my money back on the engine. Some will do this - most won't. Also, what year engine and how complete is it (do you care). Lastly, did the pickup have a hood on it this whole time - or was it open to water pouring down the carb? More details would help my opinion . . . maybe!

08-22-2019, 08:34 AM	#8
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,923	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? You are about to waste $550 as the odds of it being good are slim.

08-22-2019, 09:24 AM	#9
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,799	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? The value is really just the block. Since you can't verify it is usable, and the % is small that it is, $500 seems way too high without a money back guarantee. You will spend a fair amount of time and money just finding out if the block is good. You really don't know until you have done several tests AFTER the cursory check for obvious cracks. The pressure test reveals cracks that are in places that you can't see.

08-22-2019, 09:36 AM	#10
Ziggster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 850	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? Just spoke with the seller, and was willing to meet me half way on price, but he needs another week to pull the engine, and due to distance from me and timing, it is not feasible. Will keep my eye out for other opportunities.

08-22-2019, 11:27 AM	#11
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,013	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? If you would ad where you're located maybe another Barner near you would have just what you need. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

08-23-2019, 11:24 AM	#12
Automotive Stud Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 832	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? Sounds like way too much for a seized motor, I'd say $100 unless it was a known merc crank. Even then you don't know if it's good.

08-23-2019, 11:39 AM	#13
Ziggster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 850	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? This is in CAN$. There is a non-cracked bare block with just crank and rods. Asking price is still CAN$500 which is way too much for me.

08-23-2019, 11:41 AM	#14
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? A mercury engine guaranteed to have the 4-inch crank also has value in the oil pan, the half bell assembly, the clutch, and the flywheel for those that want to put a later engine in an earlier car. I'd pay more than $200 for all that stuff easy but $550 is stretching it a bit. I'd even pay a bit more than that if it came with a guarantee. On a Ford car motor, not so much. I have a bunch of that stuff in my pile.

08-23-2019, 01:02 PM	#15
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,784	Re: Seized Flathead - is it worth it? Zigg, there are 2 nice running flaties in TX. Guy wants 750. ea and ready to bolt in with everything complete and nothing needed. that might be far, but use that price as a reference.