Motor City Flathead question
 

Hi, I recently purchased a 1941 Ford super deluxe. I was told it has a 1951 8BA "Motor City flathead" in it. I was also told that the Aluminum heads are also unmarked "Motor City flathead". Does anyone know how I can identify or confirm? From what I understand the car was restored 58-60 years ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

MCF went out of business yrs ago. I see he has since passed away.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

You say that "the car was restored 58-60 years ago". Simple math makes that 1963-1965. I don't think "Motor City Flathead" was even around then. That's a long time ago.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

=================================================


Denny, I think MCF was started close to 1970 or so.




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Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Remembering Motor City Flathead

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231920

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

You might try contacting Goller's Hot Rod Shop, Phil was heavily involved with Mark Kirby and Motor City Flatheads.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Mark generally stamped an engine build number on top of the block between the heads and intake, so look for a MCF followed by a number.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Post some pictures of the engine. I've never seen "unmarked" MCF heads - as his whole brand was very prominent - right in the middle and I can't imagine somebody grinding this off.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Here's my friends MCF engine built by Mark Kirby in the early 90's before Mark came out with his own heads. Notice the ID tag.

All MCF heads were produced with the MCF logo. As suggested by Bored&Stroked, noone in their right mind would ever grind it off.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Here's my friends MCF engine built by Mark Kirby in the early 90's before Mark came out with his own heads. Notice the ID tag.

All MCF heads were produced with the MCF logo. As intimated by Bored&Stroked,noone in their right mind would ever grind it off. :eek:

PLEASE POST PHOTOS.

PS: There is a company called Flathead City that makes their own heads. Maybe those are what you have?
http://flatheadcity.com/parts_department.html

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

My engine was built by Mark (RIP) in the early 90's. Looks like the same configuration as yours. Early heads (Offy) on a 8BA block, B&M blower, Potvin cam. The engine number is stamped on the right front, between the intake and heads. These were well built engines that built really good power. Mine has 35,000 miles on it. The MCF heads came out after Mark had built mine, probably around 1994. I think some of Mark's early heads did not have the logo, probably pre-production..

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

I don't have a time-line on the motor installation, or who restored the car. This is a puzzle in the works!

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

I will post pictures hopefully tonight. Thanks for the advice on where stampings would be located. As far as heads "unmarked" meaning no logo. Nothing has been ground off. I was told they are early production heads prior to trademarks.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Company InformationCompany Name: MOTOR CITY FLATHEADS, INC.
Entity Type: MICHIGAN DOMESTIC PROFIT CORPORATION
File Number: 800252927
Filing State: Michigan (MI)
Filing Status: Dissolved
Filing Date: February 22, 1995
Company Age: 28 Years, 4 Months

Dissolved in 1995, the above data would indicate that the company was founded in 1967...

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

I have an invoice from Motor City Flathead dated Jan. 2001.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

The Trademark (Motor City Flathead) lives on - Currently owned by Shadow Rods LLC
https://trademarks.justia.com/owners...s-llc-2385838/


Shadow Rods LLC > http://shadowrods.com/

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

There is several stampings on each corner of the block but the one pictured seems unique.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1686695480

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1686695480

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1686695480

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1686695480

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1686695480

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

My Dad's '39 CS has a MCF. Mark built the engine in 1998.



Funny story, it was supposed to get MCF heads on it but it got Offy heads instead. This was due to the fact that Mark was contacted by Ford licensing and was told to stop using the Ford "V8" logo immediately. The irony was that one of Mark's engines equipped with the MCF logo heads and MCF logo air cleaner was touring with the Ford Motorsports trailer at all the NSRA shows that very same year!



Mark contacted his connection at Ford Motorsports to try and get the heat off of him as they were using one of his engines for display. The Motorsports guy said "Sorry Mark" but no department at Ford has any control over the Licensing dept. I believe Mark then applied for the proper licensing so he could start remaking his heads.



Years later I found an original MCF logo air cleaner and bought it. After Mark passed I contacted Phil at Gollers Hotrods to see if he had any MCF heads left. He had one pair of unpolished MCF heads in stock so I bought them.


I am not sure if Shadow Rods is still making the MCF heads or not, but if you are interested I would call them or Gollers Hotrods to inquire.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Pictures

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

I see nothing special about any of the markings you've shown. Those appear to be Offy heads and the mark "F" that you show is most likely from the foundry that made the block or from the factory afterwards. I don't see anything that would denote a company (like MCF) that built the engine later on.

Not trying to rain on your parade - just that what you've posted does not seem related to any particular builder/company.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

I met Mark Kirby in the late 80s I believe at sNSRA York. He had one of his flatheads running on a raised platform (trailer?) engine run stand. It sounded great and we talked a bit. Nice guy with big plans. If Shadow Rids still exist you should be able to get the most info you can on your engine since they worked with him for a time I believe. His biggest idea was an aluminum flathead block - the holy grail of flatties as he called it. We all know how elusive that is and waaaay to expensive for most. Putting all the latest tech on a new flathead aluminum engine - now that could be the holy grail he was searching for ….

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

My buddy had a F/H built by MCF. He supplied a new Merc crank, new in the crate F/H block, heads and 3-2 manifold & a lightened alum flywheel. Ran like crap. delivered it back to them and they said they would check it out. My buddy got it back and still ran like crap.He finally installed a Kong dist and went to 2-2 manifold and got it to run decent. This was in '90's I believe. Had almost 10 grand in the engine

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Those unmarked heads appear to be unmarked OFFENHAUSER style. Here's some info:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...heads.1179803/

The stamping shown on the block shown was frequently done as part of a date code. HERE'S SOME DATE CODE INFO.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...LOCK+DATE+CODE

I don't think Mark Kirby made any 8BA style heads but, if he did you can be sure they would have had the MCF logo.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

What 19Fordy said above ^

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Ok, I looked over the upper block and found the date code H/24/M (7/24/1950). I see what you are saying about the heads and the 325# on it. It looks like they are unmarked OFFY heads. I will continue to look around the block as I am cleaning things up to see if I see any numbers or letters. Does anyone know what the "F" and incomplete circle might be? listed in the pictures provided in earlier conversation. Thanks for your help so far 19fordy.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

The "325" stamp is the depth of the combustion chamber on a Offy head. They came in a number of different depths dependant on the compression ratio and cam lift the buyer may want.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Mark built mine also many years ago. It also has a Potvin cam. My cam was stamped 415 but I could never find any details about it such as lift, duration etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Was it an original Potvin cam - ground by Potvin/Moon, or a repop of some sort? I'm only aware of a Potvin 3/8, Potvin 400 Climax and a Potvin 425 Eliminator (in the .375 to .425 lift arena).

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

$5K for a set of heads on eBay > https://www.ebay.com/itm/26558329711...e68c%7Ciid%3A1

https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/...lV/s-l225.webp

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Wow! I bet Mark would be astonished.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Somebody has been hitting the BONG a bit hard it appears . . . not a chance in Hell somebody will pay that for those heads.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

A shill would.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Did you see the Baron heads on the same page for $4640? (They have been reduced from $5800.)

Never say never.

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

What was that old saying about a fool and his money........

Re: Motor City Flathead question
 

Show me that FOOL . . . be happy to take his money! LOL