How much HP can I get out of a stock '48 Flathead

[Dutchtreat]

I have a line on a 1948 Flathead. I'd like to hop it up a little bite for what I am going to use it for. I have been told that a stock Flathead is about 87HP?
What I am looking to do is build a HAMB Rail like the BARN JOB(rear engined) to have some fun with. It will be NHRA legal first and also meet the HAMB rules. I will add a full flow oil pump setup and do the intake and headers as well as switching to the '49-'53 style dist and timing cover. I would like to see 110HP to get it were I want.
Phase 1: Speedway four barrel intake with Holley 435CFM carb,Full Flow Headers with larger middle tube for max horse power and redone ('49-'53) Distributor with Pertronix ignition conversion with new coil. HP??
Phase 2: Isky cam and adjustable lifters(not sure which model cam) and Edelbrock 8:1 compression heads.HP????
Dutch

[Ralph Moore]

That year flathead is 100HP stock. As far as additional HP, it's only a question of how much do you want to spend. But there is a limit on horsepower, not money.

[JWL]

The answers to all your questions are covered in my book. You will be able to learn the value of the various modifications and determine whether or not your proposed agenda will meet your goals.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Dutchtreat

I have a line on a 1948 Flathead. I'd like to hop it up a little bite for what I am going to use it for. I have been told that a stock Flathead is about 87HP?
What I am looking to do is build a HAMB Rail like the BARN JOB(rear engined) to have some fun with. It will be NHRA legal first and also meet the HAMB rules. I will add a full flow oil pump setup and do the intake and headers as well as switching to the '49-'53 style dist and timing cover. I would like to see 110HP to get it were I want.
Phase 1: Speedway four barrel intake with Holley 435CFM carb,Full Flow Headers with larger middle tube for max horse power and redone ('49-'53) Distributor with Pertronix ignition conversion with new coil. HP??
Phase 2: Isky cam and adjustable lifters(not sure which model cam) and Edelbrock 8:1 compression heads.HP????
Dutch

A couple tips using our experiences at www.gasolineshops.org and a dyno test or two.
The 600 carb worked best over 3000 rpm and we made a mod or two to the intake making a few more hp as well.

http://www.lindertech.com/gas/8-21-07.htm

[Ol' Ron]

If you don't have a copy of JWL's book, you're working woth out one of the best tools you can buy. Yes the stock 239 has about 80 HP and nomater what you do to it you can't get 100hp. (Except furl and blower), READ the book

[Dutchtreat]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

JWL
How do I get your BOOK and how much is it???
Dutch

[Ol' Ron]

Try This:
[email protected]

[Binx]

I've always liked the saying: How fast do you want to spend!!

[Craig CT]

Hi Dutchtreat; JWL's book " Flathead Facts " is the most important book, to date, written on the Ford flathead. As Ron said it's one of the best tools you can buy. Good luck, Craig.

[Bob G/Spanaway]

Don't forget 'ol Ron's book.
It's worth having.

[ford1]

all ford v/8's i 1946 had 100 h/p, you can get an instant 25 h/p by going to the later merc engines, with some work you can probably get another 25 h/p, wilder cam, 2- 2 barrel carbs, or a four barrel, higher compression, bigger bore, better ign and exhaust, litend flywheel, the ford flathead v/8 by its very design is hard to make major h/p increases, h/p is increased by cubic dollars

[Mart]

I dunno, but if you are asking how much horsepower you can get from a flathead, I sort of feel you shouldn't be messing with flatheads.

I might be wrong.

Mart.

[PeterC]

Originally Posted by Mart

I dunno, but if you are asking how much horsepower you can get from a flathead, I sort of feel you shouldn't be messing with flatheads.

I might be wrong.

Mart.

Respectfully disagree - everyone has to start at the beginning at some point - with good advice from Flathead sources and genuine interest to learn - new folks can get on board to enjoying and perpetuating the wonderful world of the Flathead Ford - not too long ago I was an expert at 60's Corvettes - got into the Early Ford flathead scene and now a full convert - with experience in bone stock to high horse flatheads that I now enjoy.

[Dutchtreat]

Guys,
I have a '52 merc in the garage that goes with the project I am selling. When that's gone I am going to build this rail and have some fun. There were a number of engines I could have gone with but I have always wanted to play with a Flathead and make some HP. I am using a 1/4JR program to figure out gearing and shift points to see were the car will run. So I needed an idea of what a stock '48 would make with the few mods I was talking about. Then I can use that figure to see what she'll(new rail) will do. After I play with it for a year,I'll pull the engine and rebuild it for racing and up the HP to put it were I want to in the brackets. I am leaning toward doing one of the new stroker kits that Speedway sells and top off the engine with a set of Navarro heads from H and H. I'd love to top it off with one of Barney's 3-71 blower manifold,but the HAMB doesn't allow blowers.
Always been a Ford guy and raced 2lts,2.3 and small block Fords,now it's time to play with the Flathead I have always wanted to do sense I got into street rods 40 years ago.
Dutch

[flatjack9]

Go for it. They are a fun engine to work with.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Like the others said "go for it" and have fun !!! Build it to look and function good. When people ask how much hp does it have tell them anything you wish. Its your deal...

[Lawrie]

We did just what you are talking about,
Built our rail using all ford stuf,8ba full of cracks, 3-5/16 bore stock crank and rods ,port job,hilborn injection,methanol fuel.edelbrock heads.
3 speed auto trans,39 rear.
ran two years with no problems,got down to the low 11 secs at around 113 mph
.Lawrie

[Craig CT]

Originally Posted by Bob G/Spanaway

Don't forget 'ol Ron's book.
It's worth having.

Hi Bob G; I have an autographed copy of Ron's book. I had him autograph it the first time we met and will never part with it. I've also been priviledged to spend a good amount of time with him and value his company and friendship. I believe it's a great book and required reading, Craig.

[Dutchtreat]

Well guys I have been buying books on Flatheads for years,this is what I have so far. The Complete Ford Flathead V-8 by Ron Ceridono(signed by Tex),Ford Flatheads by Frank Oddo, How to build a Flathead Ford V-8 by George McNicholl,California Bills Ford Speed Manual, Thunder Road Flathead by Bill Sinclair and how to build the high performance Street Flathead. So I'll add JWL's book to my list of Flathead books.

[Mart]

Sorry for my earlier doubts, Dutchtreat.

That's what I wanted, a good strong attitude from a fella that's got a good plan.

Mart.

[Flathead]

You have some good books already. JWL's book, and Ron's book belong there too.

[Dutchtreat]

Mart,
It's got to be hard for you guys and gals over in England to get good Flathead stuff. I will someday make it to England for a visit as well as over to Holland(to see my cousins). I'm a big WW2 fighter fan and you guys over there have some of the best still flying. My hero was (still is) Douglas Bader the legless Spitfire pilot/ace. I enjoy watching Reach for the Sky at least once a year.