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View Full Version : Hey Ford Flathead 6 guys-Questions for ya's....

Spooky
09-08-2003, 12:52 PM
Howza Bruthas,
As I gather pieces for my son's track roadster, I want to learn about the 6 we plan to put into it. I have a '47 Ford six that is in pretty decent shape. I have never dealt with one so I need some education. What are the best things to do to one and increase the performance? Are heads affordable? Should I split the exhaust manifold or invest in a set of aftermarket ones? How can I build a dual carb manifold? What three speeds will bolt up to it? Will the truck tranny work? Should I pull the head and have it milled?
The reason I am using the engine is because of availability and I thought it would be trick to see a six in a jalopy like this.
Thanx all,
AV8Paul
09-08-2003, 12:57 PM
Get yourself a copy of "California Bill's FORD speed manual". There is a chapter on rodding the six. It's a reprint of the book first published in 1952.
Bruce Lancaster
09-08-2003, 03:23 PM
And get ahold of the 1955 Hot Rod yearbook--the cover car is a Model A roadster highbow with flathead six Ford power! There was a brief flurry of interest in these engine for racing in the very early fifties, and quite a lot of speed equipment was offered, including a really strange F head conversion ( I guess you coud call that "half of 2/3's of an ARDUN"). Not much was actually sold, and it is all very rare now.
Spooky
09-09-2003, 07:21 AM
So do you guys think the 6 is a good idea?
Or should I hunt down a Flathead 8? I am trying to make the car look like it was built in '47.
magnet
09-09-2003, 09:18 AM
speed parts will be way way way easier to find for the 8. The six is pretty heavy and stock has barely any horsies.. so if your looking performance go with the 8. .... unless of course you are planning on making your own intake and headers and have some really good friends at a machine shop.

Although... if you find any speed equip for the flat 6.. be sure to let me know.. cause i got two of them. :-)

here is some flat 6 info...

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_six-cyl.htm

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_six48-51specs.htm