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Old 02-11-2020, 02:26 PM   #1
Krylon32
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Default French Flathead Blocks

Checking with San Francisco Flatheads (AKA So-Cal Sacramento) They have apparently ran out of the new French Flathead bare blocks? To bad

Last edited by Krylon32; 02-11-2020 at 02:37 PM.
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Old 02-11-2020, 03:48 PM   #2
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

Had to happen some time. Maybe there's another old warehouse in France....
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Old 02-11-2020, 04:55 PM   #3
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

I was told on a phone call to them that they were out but I see they're listed on E Bay for a 1000 more than they were a few months ago???????
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Old 02-11-2020, 07:13 PM   #4
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

that would mean they are close to being out, so raise the price to squeeze a out few more nickles.
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Old 02-11-2020, 07:22 PM   #5
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

That might give Tod some incentive.
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Old 02-11-2020, 07:41 PM   #6
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

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My wife got mine as a surprise Christmas gift straight from Richard Lejeurne at Halibrand just after these things were discovered...the original going price of $1,500. Mine is still in the crate slathered in cosmoline. DD
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Old 02-11-2020, 07:45 PM   #7
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

thats one heck of a gal!
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Old 02-12-2020, 05:57 PM   #8
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

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My wife got mine as a surprise Christmas gift straight from Richard Lejeurne at Halibrand just after these things were discovered...the original going price of $1,500. Mine is still in the crate slathered in cosmoline. DD
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thats one heck of a gal!

Not only is she cool with flatheads....she's good lookin', too! An absolute sweetie!! DD
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Old 02-11-2020, 09:19 PM   #9
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

I'd be glad to give you your money back??????????HA.
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Old 02-11-2020, 09:45 PM   #10
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

Me - I have a pretty good stash of 59x and 49-53 blocks . . . most are crack-free. I still believe that one has to do a bit of looking, but there are good blocks out there for about $500 - $700 . . . as long as you're not in a hurry for them. I prefer to run good ole' Henry blocks.

I prefer to NOT buy complete engines - as there is too much work to take them apart, have them cleaned/magged . . . only to find out they are in bad shape. I just can't afford to put the time into them.
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Old 02-11-2020, 10:05 PM   #11
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

There's a thread on the H.A.M.B. right now about a guy who bought a bunch of "good" blocks from the daughter of an enthusiast who passed away a while ago. He barely saved them from the scrapper (who had already gotten the cranks, rods, and other accessories). He got about 100 blocks, about 40 of them flatheads, split evenly between 8BA's and 59A's (curiously, no 21 studs).

I believe this sort of thing is going to become common over the next 10 to 20 years for reasons I don't really want to think about.
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Old 02-11-2020, 11:21 PM   #12
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

V8coopman - I bought one too from Halibrand when they first came out. Just a block and nan caps. Built it for my old 40 coupe - a nice thick, heavy with a lot more nickel block. Picked up another by chance for a great price maybe 12 years ago - looking to use that one for a blower motor if the stars align right ...... all cosmolined and crated as well .....
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:01 AM   #13
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

The blocks are still out there...just have to know where they are.
I still have an old yard where the engines are out in the field in rows upside down to keep rain out....thoose engines was good when pulled back when nobody cared about them...
But you have to expand the search radius way out now.
Sadly the pressure from goverment on scrapyards to clean up works against us to...
I have a fair stash of engines and blocks here in sweden so i won´t run out soon...going to be able to serve the locals for another 20 years atleast !
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:44 AM   #14
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

In the early 70's a friend and I bought a Canadian Army surplus 1946 triumph 500 rigid frame flathead twin. In cosmoline, in a wooden crate. I think called a TRW. Flash forward to 2003 and I see one listed on line in British Columbia still in it's crate with two staves pried off for viewing purposes. Another friend and I argued because I said that I would never pry it open and assemble it. To me it's way cooler (and safer) left in the crate. Like those 50.00 comic book ad jeeps and Bikes, and maybe even a French block, "It's only in cosmoline once".
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Old 02-12-2020, 02:13 AM   #15
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

Here is one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-S...G/392586446043
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Old 02-12-2020, 10:15 AM   #16
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

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This should motivate Tod!
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Old 02-12-2020, 10:51 AM   #17
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

the unavailability of good flathead blocks is the reason more people are going to sbc engines.
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Old 02-12-2020, 11:44 AM   #18
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

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the unavailability of good flathead blocks is the reason more people are going to sbc engines.
I would disagree with this. The main reason is cost; pure and simple. That and peer pressure; the "Street Rod Crowd" wants the latest "flavor of the day". Witness the current popularity of LS engines in just about everything on the TV shows. To run a flathead, you need two things. The first is the desire to have one; the second is the willingness to pay for it. Once you have those under control, finding a block is relatively easy. The guy in the thread I mentioned above is worrying about if he will be able to sell his finds for a reasonable price. AND, he is in California.
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Old 02-12-2020, 07:12 PM   #19
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

[ The guy in the thread I mentioned above is worrying about if he will be able to sell his finds for a reasonable price. AND, he is in California.[/QUOTE]

I don't have a stash to sell and I'm in Iowa.
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Old 02-13-2020, 12:21 AM   #20
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Default Re: French Flathead Blocks

They are out there.
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