337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?

[36-5window]

I have a chance to buy a good running 337 Ford flathead. anyone actually installed one of these in a 30's or 40's ford?? I would like to see it in my 1939 Ford coupe. It is complete with bellhousing and flywheel, no transmission. thanks for any help.

[52merc]

have fun with that one

[Bassman/NZ]

Very heavy!

[Charlie Stephens]

If it was a good idea you would find other people that did it. The engine is too big and too heavy.

Charlie Stephens

[rotorwrench]

There was a fellow that put one in a 39 or 40 model back in the late 50s or 60s. He had to use a heavier spring pack in the front and bigger tires. The performance gain wouldn't be all that good compaired to a small OHV V8. There is a thread about that somewhere on this forum.

[ford3]

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ok, heres the scoop, 336 ci v/8, 152 h/p, you can get more than that out of a merc engine,125 hp stock, add dual carbs, dual pipes 100 over bore and aluminum heads and already you have more h/p, and the merc is #100 lighter and no problem getting parts, the 336 is a lincoln or big truck engine, the extra weight will kill the stock front end, i would check with some of your street rodder friend before i bought that engine, as some one else said, if it was a good idea you would see them in a lot of cars

[Charlie ny]

5 Win,
In a long past V8 Times there was an article about just this swap. Not a coupe
but a pheaton. It was heavy and a special front spring was used. The writer had the
timing tag from Bonneville or el Mirage....well over 110 mph as I recall. The car was
at one time painted white and was a feature in the ROSE BOWL Parade back in the
day.
The Linc was yanked and replaced with a conventional Flathead.
I'm pretty sure you'll hate yourself if you do this swap.
Charelie ny

[36-5window]

I read that it weighs around 750-80 pounds, a lot of weight. a 460 probably is 200 pounds less. It was just a thought, I think I will use a late roller 302 and c4.

[uncle max]

If you go with the 337, deduct $100 per pound from your car's total value.

[Charlie Stephens]

Have you priced speed equipment for that engine (assuming you can find some)?

Charlie Stephens

[19Fordy]

Do yourself a favor and PASS on the opportunity, unless you collect boat anchors.

[Shadetree]

In 1953-1954 I had a friend put that one in a 1941 Ford convertible and was one of the hottest cars around. It was in black primer with a white top. He regrets to this day for selling it.

[felix37]

Those things are boat anchors! steer away from that deal!

[Dale Fairfax]

The March 1953 Hot Rod Magazine carried the story of Ken Austin who installed one in his '39 convertible sedan. He had made the pattern and cast his own 3 X 2 intake. And, yes, he DID install a heavier front spring. The car ran 115 m.p.h. at the Bonneville Nats in '52. The article says he had to move the radiator ahead 2" and the front motor mounts 4"; "slightly" rework the firewall; notch the pan; and use electric fuel pumps.

Ken became an expert in foundry practice and (until recently) continued to offer various manifolds for the 337 thru his Austin's Rod Shop in Oregon.

[19Fordy]

It would be neat to view the procedure for casting such an intake. Wonder if there is a video.

[36-5window]

I'M GONNA' DO IT!!!! You guys are just jealouse!! With that 300# crankshaft and 4 3/8" stroke, I'll be able to start out in HIGH GEAR!

[Vic Piano]

There was a guy "back in the day" (I had posted some photos here on the FordBarn a while back) who installed a 337 Lincoln engine in a '39 Ford CS. I have a '49 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Convertible with the 337 and it is a smooth runner in that big heavy car... not sure how it would work in the '39 Ford Coupe. Have fun with it and be surer to post photos. Vic

[Dale Fairfax]

Go for it! I have one in my '53 F-100 and love it. (And BTW, the crank does NOT weigh 300#). Most of the negativism expressed on this and other sites comes from people who have no personal experience with one of these torque monsters. Heavy? Yes, but probably no worse than the Cadillac flathead which seems to be revered in many quarters. At 152 H.P. stock, it's in an area that the typical 255/239 reaches only after extensive modification. The hottest 255 was, as stated, 125 H.P. That's still 27 H.P. less. To beat the 337's 152 with the smaller engine requires making the small one bigger. Apply the same techniques ( bigger bore, more compression) to the 337 and who knows what the result might be. [O'size pistons are available, the heads can be milled, and headers are easy to make.]

Originally Posted by 36-5window

I'M GONNA' DO IT!!!! You guys are just jealouse!! With that 300# crankshaft and 4 3/8" stroke, I'll be able to start out in HIGH GEAR!

[36-5window]

that is why I asked for anyone who actually DID use a 337. Thanks for your response,Henry

[KGS]

Here's a link to more info on the Ken Austin
39 CV Sedan. Ken
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ght=ken+austin