Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-17-2013, 07:33 PM   #1
fritzz13
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 73
Default flathead 60

hi,looking into buying a ford flathead 60.looking for any info on this engine.is it a good choice for a early rod?
fritzz13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 07:49 PM   #2
Fred A
Senior Member
 
Fred A's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Encino California, near Burbank
Posts: 935
Default Re: flathead 60

It better be a lightweight rod with special attention to the gear choices. There is little torque to spare to pull a car out of bad engineering choices. I have a 60 about forth in line as an AV8-60 roadster project. Already have all the components. Having had one before there is a special sense of how to make it work, but if you do it wrong you may not have a fully functioning hotrod. Most guys would advise against it. The 60 is pretty pricey to build and parts can be tough to find. Good Luck: Fred A
Fred A is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 01-17-2013, 07:55 PM   #3
fritzz13
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 73
Default Re: flathead 60

the engine i found is a fresh rebuild with edmunds 2 carb intake with early block lettered edlbrock heads ready to run,includes tranny,what you think fred a.
fritzz13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:16 PM   #4
3738
Senior Member
 
3738's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 287
Default Re: flathead 60

I love the V8 60's, got (4) or (5) of them myself.

Your decision will be based on how much it cost and what vehicle it goes into.

I live in the flat lands of the Calif Bay Area, so I have no trouble getting around with my stock V8 60 with the stock 4:44 rear end in my 37 Tudor.

I can tell you this, when you go to a car show or get together, you will get a lot more attention than the more common run of the mill larger engines.
3738 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:24 PM   #5
fritzz13
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 73
Default Re: flathead 60

thanks for the input 3738,do you think 4k is a good price for this engine.
fritzz13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:25 PM   #6
Walt Dupont--Me.
Senior Member
 
Walt Dupont--Me.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gardiner Me.
Posts: 4,200
Default Re: flathead 60

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I built a few of them 60's. A friend had 1/2 doz Midgets with the 60 in them. I got a chance to drive one on a horse race track in Bangor Me. about 10 yr's ago. That was alot of fun. Of course those Midgets didn't weigh much. Walt
Walt Dupont--Me. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:29 PM   #7
3738
Senior Member
 
3738's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 287
Default Re: flathead 60

I don't know what to say about pricing, I'll let others chime in on that, as all of mine are stock.

However, I'd say for $4k, I'd want some kind of guarantee...
3738 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:30 PM   #8
fritzz13
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 73
Default Re: flathead 60

i was told they were only good in midget cars or crackerbox boats.
fritzz13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:38 PM   #9
fritzz13
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 73
Default Re: flathead 60

the engine after rebuild is suppose to be rated at 85hp.
fritzz13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:49 PM   #10
Ol' Ron
Senior Member
 
Ol' Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,862
Default Re: flathead 60

Had a friend with a T roadster,powered by a 50 hp engine had a clay smith cam, heads and dual carbs. Car had a Columbia rear, believe me this thing could move.
Ol' Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 08:54 PM   #11
flatjack9
Senior Member
 
flatjack9's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oshkosh, Wi
Posts: 4,527
Default Re: flathead 60

If it's a good engine, you could never build it for $4K.
flatjack9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 10:11 PM   #12
fritzz13
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 73
Default Re: flathead 60

thanks guys,this will be my first flathead,think i will go for it.
fritzz13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 09:13 AM   #13
36tbird
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: nw SanAntonio, TX
Posts: 939
Default Re: flathead 60

Here's a thread that might give you some added info, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=759180. Also, you might search v-8 60's installed in MG-TD's. That was a popular swap.

I have a 60 that I am starting to think about powering a modified for a very future project.
36tbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 09:29 AM   #14
jimTN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Powell, TN
Posts: 2,509
Default Re: flathead 60

It is a great engine for putting in a T, closed Model A's or anything later are a little heavy.
jimTN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 09:34 AM   #15
MARVIN, CT
Member
 
MARVIN, CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Preston,ct
Posts: 76
Default Re: flathead 60

Put one in my '52 MGTD with a t5 gearbox and 3.9 gears in the rear end. Quiet happy with it. Marvin,ct
MARVIN, CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 10:19 AM   #16
LQQKER
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sarasota Fl area
Posts: 86
Default Re: flathead 60

What components were required to put the t5 behind the v8 60. Thinking about putting this motor in an A roadster.
LQQKER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 12:07 PM   #17
JM 35 Sedan
Senior Member
 
JM 35 Sedan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland
Posts: 10,859
Default Re: flathead 60

Do not underestimate the little V8 60 HP engine. Many have been needlessly removed over the years in favor of the 85 HP and later higher HP Flathead engines. Richard Willim once told me that a 60 HP engine can be upgraded to 100 HP without that much effort. He also wrote a book on the 60 that has a lot of great information. You can order this book on this website: http://www.willimvintageengines.com/

I also met a guy at a car show here in MD who built a Model A pickup for his wife that is powered by a little 60 HP. It looked great, sounded strong, and ran very well. A few pictures....
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Model A PU 60HP Eng 2.jpg (61.0 KB, 89 views)
File Type: jpg Model A PU 60HP Eng 3.jpg (61.0 KB, 82 views)
File Type: jpg Model A PU 60HP Eng.jpg (61.6 KB, 131 views)
__________________
John

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein

Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 01-18-2013 at 02:17 PM.
JM 35 Sedan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 12:58 PM   #18
36tbird
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: nw SanAntonio, TX
Posts: 939
Default Re: flathead 60

Yo Marvin, what T-5 do you have? That is, what is first gear? And, how does the little car cruise? mpg, rpm at 70 (if you get it going that fast)

Like I said above, with swap meet season coming up, I think I'm going to start lining up parts for a modified T project. Thanks in advance.
36tbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 01:15 PM   #19
Torchie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Mi.
Posts: 355
Default Re: flathead 60

Quote:
Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan View Post
Do not underestimate the little V8 60 HP engine. Many have been needlessly removed over the years in favor of the 85 HP and later higher HP Flathead engines. Richard Willim once told me that a 60 HP engine can be upgraded to 100 HP without that much effort. He also wrote a book on the 60 that has a lot of great information. You can order this book on this website: http://www.willimvintageengines.com/

I also met a guy at a car show here in MD who built a Model A pickup for his wife that powered by a little 60 HP. It looked great, sounded strong, and ran very well. A few pictures....
This man is the go to guy for V-8 60's. Started with his dad building them Now I believe that he and his son are rebuilding them. Yes they were used alot in boats and midgets but nothing wrong with them in a hotrod as well. Buy his book. It is well worth it.
As far as the price goes $4000.00 doesn't seem out of line based on what I have heard that it costs to have some one do a complete rebuild on a big flathead.
Torchie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-18-2013, 01:45 PM   #20
MARVIN, CT
Member
 
MARVIN, CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Preston,ct
Posts: 76
Default Re: flathead 60

My t-5 is from an '87 Mustang/Capri 2.3, has 3.97 1st gear, 0.79 5th gear. It bolts up to an adaptor that a friend made up for me. The adaptor bolts up to an 85 hp bell housing. Don't have a speedometer or tach hooked up yet, but I can keep up with the traffic if I want to. Marvin,ct
MARVIN, CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:25 AM.