Just sent a new 302 CI Flathead Home . . .

[Bored&Stroked]

Here is an engine we just finished for my friend Andy Huck. He has an original 32 roadster that came from his family (best body I've ever seen).

Will be a really fun car and we've created a heck of a great friendship by working together through this 2 year experience. Always quite a journey . . . this one started with a NOS 59AB block - than ended up being a bad casting.

Andy was new to everything flathead - but he worked side-by-side with me over that period, learning by doing along the way. It is important for all of us to share our knowledge . . . you meet great people and create solid life experiences as a result.

EngineInTrailer.jpg

[Will D]

Nice looking flathead! Were you able to fix the issues with the NOS block or did you have to source a different one?

[tubman]

Very nice looking unit. I wonder about that transmission. I had a built 276 engine ahead of one of those in a '36 3-window about 20 years ago, and it was the weak link. It wasn't the stock '36 box either, but a '39 with later gears and new bearings and synchronizers. After I shelled it out once, I learned to take it easy, but that took all of the fun out of it.

It is the classic combination, though.

[mercman from oz]

Looking very good. Lovely workmanship.

[Pete]

While the 39 transmission is certainly a weak link in a vintage power combination, they can be used effectively IF you learn their shortcomings. This can take time and maybe a few broken parts along the way, but it can be done.
You will need a set of 25 tooth gears for any success at all.
Rest assured you can break these but not nearly as easy as the 28 or 29 tooth.

[Ol' Ron]

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I think the F150 3spd with OD would be the best choice.. Wonder what the cam is??
Gramps

[glennpm]

Hi Pete,


Can you explain this please? Lower gear ratio for first perhaps?



"You will need a set of 25 tooth gears for any success at all. Rest assured you can break these but not nearly as easy as the 28 or 29 tooth."

[flathead48]

B & S Some kind of nice, congrats,

[KiWinUS]

Looks fantastic Dale. Great stuff sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[21stud]

Looks very nice!
what cam?

[Bored&Stroked]

The cam is a Potvin 3/8 . . . from none other than my good friend 'Pete' who is on the thread. This is a good cam for a street engine of this size - not too big and not too small . . . a "tweener" in my mind.

Thanks for the cam Pete!

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by Will D

Nice looking flathead! Were you able to fix the issues with the NOS block or did you have to source a different one?

There was a casting flaw deep down in the intake port -- a hole into the water jacket. It was a really hard spot to get too - though I managed to "pin it" with 3 pins, still "bubbled" under pressure on my test setup.

While I might have run it with some "water glass" in it, I was uncomfortable building it for Andy . . . as getting water into a cylinder at some later point would not be a good thing.

He plans to take a trip across the United States - the last thing he needs is a block issue about 500 miles from BFE - with no real way to fix it! LOL

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Looks great Dale, good to see you're still at it amigo !

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by Blownflatheaddeuce

Looks great Dale, good to see you're still at it amigo !

Thank you my good friend from OZ!

[Desoto291Hemi]

Now that is how you crate an engine ,,,,that dude could go across country on a wagon train,,,,and still be there in one piece .

Look at it,,,isn’t it beautiful,,,,,that is real workmanship.
Super great looking mill and tranny ,,,,it should really haul !

Tommy

[19Fordy]

Congratulations on building such a fine looking engine.
Please keep us posted as to how it performs in the 32.
Well done. Enjoy every RPM.

[hotrodcbx]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

The cam is a Potvin 3/8 . . . from none other than my good friend 'Pete' who is on the thread. This is a good cam for a street engine of this size - not too big and not too small . . . a "tweener" in my mind.

Thanks for the cam Pete!

Good choice! I have a super 3/8 in my 296" 8BA. Idles a little high but it has no shortage of low RPM torque and revs quickly to 5500. 4:11 gears and 5 speed Tremec in a '34 3 window, weighs in at 2750 lb....

[Talkwrench]

Nice Dale!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by glennpm

Hi Pete,


Can you explain this please? Lower gear ratio for first perhaps?



"You will need a set of 25 tooth gears for any success at all. Rest assured you can break these but not nearly as easy as the 28 or 29 tooth."

The closer the ratios, the less torque multiplication and thus less strain on all of the parts including the case. With a big cube engine and the taller gears there is no problem getting rolling in first gear. The taller gears are easier to down shift at racing speeds also. With the 25's it is easy to down shift into first at 60 mph.

[glennpm]

Thank you Pete!
Wow, shift into first at 60!!