Best Flathead books
 

I am a newbie to flatheads and would like to find some good books on building, troubleshooting and general maintenance. Please let me know if you have any recommendations.

Thank you
Patrick

Re: Best Flathead books
 

It somewhat depends are where your interest lie. JWL's book is a good reference on performance, also Ron's. I also like these other books. I like the Chassis reference books on the CD.

Re: Best Flathead books
 

I found Frank Oddo's book to be helpful building a performance Flathead.

Re: Best Flathead books
 

Patrick ~ You absolutely need JWL’s book, FLATHEAD FACTS, if you have any intention of building other than a stock engine ~ he has already discovered what makes power and what wastes time, effort and money. Also, Ol’ Ron’s NOSTALGIA, is another go-to for what makes a strong flathead.

Re: Best Flathead books
 

thank you all for the suggestions. Much appreciated

Patrick

Re: Best Flathead books
 

The best resource is C&G. Ask for their catalog. It lists reprints of genuine Ford parts, and is a MUST for anyone tackling restoration and repair of early Fords 1932-1956 and Mercury 1939-1956. 800/266-0470.

Re: Best Flathead books
 

I own most of the ones printed printed in the last 35 years and they are all dog eared and oil smeared. For engine work my favorite is the small orange book 'Repair Manual, Ford and Mercury V8 engines 78-81-59A series 1937 to 1948 Pass. cars, 1937 to 1947 Trucks'. Printed by Ford Motor Company 3666-48D June 18, 1948. What I like is that it is about solid repairs and proper procedures to get a customer's vehicle back on the road in a reliable fashion so they can get back on with their business. Wear tolerances are specified and the differences if one is using new parts or re-using what's still good. Lucky me, 98% of my driving is on this 40 mph island.

Re: Best Flathead books
 

Lot of the books posted are not about maintenance. They are great books about flatheads and understanding them is very informative. Great reads.


Any service manuals will be best. "fix my ford" are a great series of publications.
https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Your-Ford.../dp/B000GU9HLC

Maintenance wise. Change the oil and lube the zerks every year.

When you get to it. https://www.vanpeltsalesstore.com/L-...ook_p_499.html


Books and information is cheap. But it's hard to read and understand. haha, Buy some publications and read them. Well till the sbc people shut it down. hahahaha. That's a sbc joke btw.

Re: Best Flathead books
 

Th owners manual and service manual for my '51 call for a chassis lube every 1000 miles. A lot of us put a lot more than this on in a year. I believe that the reason so many old Fords have loose, worn-out suspension is that this interval is largely ignored by folks who are used to the sealed systems on modern cars.