Hot Rods Flathead start up / almost burn up!!

Thanks to Carl (Roseville Carl) for all his help and willingness to share his knowledge we were able to start up my 21 stud flathead this morning...

Here are a few pics and video:

Drilling the block for full pressure oiling:



Valve job:



Here it is with the intake that I will run once the motor is broke in:



Video of startup:

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First drive:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bD6wd4LhwEA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

After this drive Carl went home.

A friend and I went to lunch. Thats when things got exciting!!

We finished eating and were on our way home when the car just died and the cab filled with smoke... I thought it was electrical, so I opened the trunk to disconnect the battery... Thats when I realized that the battery had slid against the metal back of the seat and set the fabric on FIRE,, I thought that I had got it all the way out when all of the sudden I realized that it had traveled all the way up to the package tray and caught a t-shirt and piece of cardboard on fire also... After throwing it out and stomping it out we realized just how lucky we were that was all that burned!!

Proof:



All in all a great day spent with good friends!!

 

Ooops Jim I posted this in another thread didn't see this so.....here's another:

 

Now that's a HOT ROD!

 

good thing you got it out......

1. a fire extinguisher (I just bought one the other day)
2. battery hold down .

 

Yeah, that car is pretty much perfect.

 

Damn, that's a cool ride! Sure sounds great too.

 

That's cool. Good day to be you.

 

That sounds Nice!
What cam are you running? Sounds lopey like a 400jr? or better?

 

Nice save..good looking coupe.

 

Oh man.... I can't wait! Awesome ride, and nice save! Good luck with it!

 

Congratulations! I'll never get tired of listening to an old Ford go through the gears. I get chills. Thanks for the ride.

 

Kool ride, gotta love the sound of a flathead!

Enjoy your ride

 

Funny thing is...

I actually do have a fire extinguisher and left out that part of the story to shorten it up a little... I keep it under the seat and after thinking the fire in the trunk was out I thought that it would be a good idea to have it out.. I think that when I lifted up the seat cushion to get it out it allowed more oxygen to the left over embers and that is when the t-shirt etc. caught!!

I also have a hold down that in the haste of the morning switching batteries I forgot to tighten....

It is an old Schaller that from what we can tell has 350 lift 250 duration...

 

That thing is awesome and sounds GOOD!

 

wow, awesome coupe.... in my opinion your coupe is perfect... i can only hope the one i build ( have not even bought a body yet, haha ) will turn out as nice.. gonna send you a pm about your chop... thx for posting...

 

Neat, I like it.

 

nothing sounds better than a flathead. awesome hot rod.

 

You got lucky you put it out it in time! She sound bitchin!

 

cant wait to hear it with duel carbs!

 

I've got a '37 Ford 21 stud engine, too. Haven't torn it down yet, but those little stinkers run excellent for their size & weight...
Had one in a channeled '30 Coupe that we used to hop in, gas up, and go down to L.A. in, just to 'cruise' and look for more hot rods. (1956)

Yours is an excellent example. Runs cool, smooth acceleration, no backfire on decel.
Thanks for the ride, enjoyed it!

 

"cant wait to hear it with duel carbs!"
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Patience grasshopper, patience

 

Great Hot Rod,glad you caught it in time and thanks for the ride along vid,enjoyed that

 

That coupe looks and sounds great. Congrats and you must be a happy guy. That cam sounds great. I hope to hear a simmilar sound in my garage before the end o the year. Thanks for sharing. Too Cool

 

Jim, you have acheived the perfect coupe! That thing is wicked looking, and sounding!

That Schaller cam sounds like it has a bite to it! I only wish I could have been there with you and Carl, to witness the fire up first hand!

Kudos, my friend!

 

Awesome hot rod guys, you did good!

 

looks and sounds great jim. congrats on a job well done. and thank the hot rod gods she didn't burn.hope to see it out and about soon.

 

You can't be to careful with fire.

You never know where it can happen...

 

Excellent rumpety, bumpety.

 

Yeah, love the coupe and I love the sound of that rumpety-rump cam - oooohhhh, it just gets your flathead heart a thumpin - kudos my friend and miles of smiles!