337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

have fun with that one

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

Very heavy!

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Charlie Stephens

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Charlie Stephens

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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!:o

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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.]

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

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

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

Power to weight ratio is bad parts are going to be a problem,, but then if those things concerned us we would all be driving sbc's

Go for it..

I am close enough,,let me know how it's going I may trip over and help (or watch)

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

By the time you add up the costs and take rarity of parts into consideration, for a couple of more nickels you can have the flattie that everybody wants instead of the one that nobody does.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

I'm glad to see Dale jumping in on this post. Here's a guy with REAL experience, not just some guy pontificating about them. He's done it and he loves it!

The arguments against the ole 337 are the same ones I hear all the time from the chevy guys about ALL flatheads--too big, no power, too heavy, blah, blah, blah.

Go for it. Keep us posted!...slim

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

The 337 fits real good in the 49 through 51 Lincolns and the F7/F8 trucks but the little 39/40 cars have more limited space. The 337 was a wonderful big old boat anchor of an engine and ran real quiet & smooth but it may be a b!tch to get it to fit in the smaller engine compartment. It might be just as easy to put a V12 in there if someone wants a Lincoln engine.

Some folks like a challenge but there is a lot to be said for keeping things simple even if it costs a little more.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

There is a 337" Lincoln powered Model A coupe I think in England that hauls tail! There is a video of the car somewhere on the net. When the guy stomps on the gas the big Lincoln throws the coupe forward. I think it would be a very interesting choice for a `39 Ford. A helluva lot better than brand x, y or z.

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

I have posted this before, the 337 I have on a stand waiting for me to complete my other 997 projects.
My old buddy Tom, who has since passed on, loved Ford flatheads old Mercs and Lincolns. When I asked him if we should rebuild the 337 when I found it, was it worth keeping?
He would close his eyes, I'd see his memory banks flipping back 60 years and say "that was one hot flathead!"
Here is the link to the start up, the garage was a'rockin'...slim

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_DSCN0412.jpg

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

Outstanding...:cool: Why not drop that 337 in the Mustang... That would be different.:eek:;)

Re: 337 flathead in my 1939 coupe?
 

Back in 1957 I had a Lincoln Coupe in the Autorama and you can see from the sign, it had a Lincoln 337 Flathead. Had Isky cam, 4 barrel carb with adapter, Mallory ignition, Duals, and milled heads. Ran an overdrive.

I couldn't outrun a 57 Chevy, but I tore up my brothers new 1958 Ford.

That old Lincoln would haul ass in second gear overdrive.