Remembering Motor City Flathead

[Bursonaw]

I was cleaning out a closet and found some old parts catalogs. Thought I’d post some pictures of what I found. The engine build quotes are from Oct 1994. Sure wish I could order some cams from them again!




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[r_reed]

is this what we are talking about. a local guy, upstate NY owns this beauty. didn't get a chance to talk to him.

[Bursonaw]

Originally Posted by r_reed

is this what we are talking about. a local guy, upstate NY owns this beauty. didn't get a chance to talk to him.

Yes, I was fortunate to tour the engine shop in Dundee MI in 1994. I was very impressed with Mark Kirby and his whole operation. Certainly had the passion for flatheads.


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[19Fordy]

Also, drove to Dundee, MI years ago and Mark showed me around also. His shop was in an old converted car dealership He is a very fine person who has devoted his life to flatheads. I sure hope he is successful with his new endeavors. One of the first engines he built (on the right) is in my friend's blown 40. I could only spring for the "bolt ons".

[Dak Rat]

Yup, got all the parts from him to build the 276" engine in my '39 convertible coupe. Was very happy with the service they provided.

[flathead4rd]

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Since I live in the Detroit area I made several trips to Mark's in Dundee Michigan. He built my present flathead (286 cubes) and it still running strong in my 50 Ford. Too bad he isn't in business anymore, although I do hear he is still connected with Shadow Rods. I got to see his new aluminum block several years ago at the Ford meet at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. Very impressive but so was the 10K price. Wish he was still around as he was a great guy to do business with.

[Fordors]

Originally Posted by flathead4rd

....... I got to see his new aluminum block several years ago at the Ford meet at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. Very impressive but so was the 10K price. Wish he was still around as he was a great guy to do business with.

Just curious, what did that $10,000 price include?

[V8 Bob]

I first heard of MCF around '90 when I started collecting flatheads. I bought my first 255" Merc from a guy who used to travel on weekends to Dundee and dis-assemble engines, in return for a blown MCF for his '39 Ford. A club member then had a 276" built for his Merc, and shortly after I made my first visit to Dundee. The shop, show room and huge stock pile of flatheads was impressive, but the ride in Mark's '34 "test car" made my day! I learned about '51 Merc bell housings and Mustang T-5s with S-10 tails, which were used on the '34, and is what I'm using on my '32. Soon after, I was fortunate to order a MCF 286" for my under construction '32, which I have enjoyed since the car hit the road in '08.
The last two engines that Mark built were for a couple club member/friends. A sad ending to a well known and respected business. I really wish the best for Mark and the alloy flathead he has worked so hard on.

[sidevalve8ba]

On that note, does anyone know what Mark is up to these days?

[Robz51]

I went there on a tour in '99. I remember his Rat Rod (33 or 34) coupe with a very hot flatty but I remember most the Mason jars of casting sand he used to illustrate how much he removed from the average Flathead that came out of the water jackets. That was a real eye-opener. It was a cool place.
Rob

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by Robz51

I went there on a tour in '99. I remember his Rat Rod (33 or 34) coupe with a very hot flatty but I remember most the Mason jars of casting sand he used to illustrate how much he removed from the average Flathead that came out of the water jackets. That was a real eye-opener. It was a cool place.
Rob

That '34 coupe is/was NOT a friggin rat rod.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by V8 Bob

That '34 coupe is/was NOT a friggin rat rod.

It is definitely not a rat rod. The last time I saw Mark Kirby, and his '34 coupe, was in Auburn, Indiana. He attended the EFV-8 Club's CNM in 2011/12, and had his '34 parked in the Town Center. The engine in that '34 is a prototype of his 350 ci Flathead block project that he was road testing at that time. He had ~ 40k miles on it then. I have pictures of him and his '34 taken there.

[Robz51]

My apologies. HOT ROD

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

It is definitely not a rat rod. The last time I saw Mark Kirby, and his '34 coupe, was in Auburn, Indiana. He attended the EFV-8 Club's CNM in 2011/12, and had his '34 parked in the Town Center. The engine in that '34 is a prototype of his 350 ci Flathead block project that he was road testing at that time. He had ~ 40k miles on it then. I have pictures of him and his '34 taken there.

I was at that event, and parked next to him in town.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by V8 Bob

I first heard of MCF around '90 when I started collecting flatheads. I bought my first 255" Merc from a guy who used to travel on weekends to Dundee and dis-assemble engines, in return for a blown MCF for his '39 Ford. A club member then had a 276" built for his Merc, and shortly after I made my first visit to Dundee. The shop, show room and huge stock pile of flatheads was impressive, but the ride in Mark's '34 "test car" made my day! I learned about '51 Merc bell housings and Mustang T-5s with S-10 tails, which were used on the '34, and is what I'm using on my '32. Soon after, I was fortunate to order a MCF 286" for my under construction '32, which I have enjoyed since the car hit the road in '08.
The last two engines that Mark built were for a couple club member/friends. A sad ending to a well known and respected business. I really wish the best for Mark and the alloy flathead he has worked so hard on.

Mark Kirby with a machined pototype casting of his flathead block. This was in 2007, at the 75th anniversary of the 32 Ford, and the Flathead Ford V8 in Dearborn, MI. He had closed his own business at this time, and became part of the Shadow Rods organization.

[flatjack9]

Saw that at the Detroit Autorama several years ago.

[Alaska Jim]

I wish I could buy a complete blown Engine at that price these days.

[RKS.PA]

Was in Dundee after Mark closed up his business and walked around to the back of his building. Several dumpsters full of flathead blocks.....assumed to be junk. Got many parts from him for my '39 back in the 90's.

Agree he was/is a great guy and a flathead legend!!!

[flathead4rd]

Just the block was 10K at that time.