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Old 06-12-2023, 07:57 PM   #1
Moonshin'R
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Default 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.
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Old 06-12-2023, 09:59 PM   #2
fordor41
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

MCF went out of business yrs ago. I see he has since passed away.
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Old 06-12-2023, 10:11 PM   #3
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

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Old 06-12-2023, 10:19 PM   #4
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Default 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.
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Old 06-12-2023, 11:17 PM   #5
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

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Originally Posted by tubman View Post
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.
=================================================


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




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Last edited by Lanny; 06-13-2023 at 08:18 PM.
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Old 06-13-2023, 10:07 AM   #6
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

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I don't have a time-line on the motor installation, or who restored the car. This is a puzzle in the works!
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Old 06-13-2023, 12:07 AM   #7
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

Remembering Motor City Flathead

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231920
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Old 06-13-2023, 05:43 AM   #8
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Default 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.
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Old 06-13-2023, 06:29 AM   #9
V8 Bob
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Moonshin'R View Post
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.

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.
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Old 06-13-2023, 07:38 AM   #10
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Default 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.
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Old 06-13-2023, 10:15 AM   #11
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Default 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.
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Old 06-13-2023, 10:21 AM   #12
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

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Originally Posted by Moonshin'R View Post
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.
Looking forward to seeing your photos.
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Old 06-13-2023, 08:48 AM   #13
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Default 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.
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Old 06-13-2023, 09:07 AM   #14
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

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Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
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.
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..
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Old 06-15-2023, 09:49 AM   #15
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Default 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.
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Old 06-15-2023, 10:52 AM   #16
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

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Originally Posted by flathead4rd View Post
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.
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).
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Old 06-26-2023, 08:48 AM   #17
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

It's an original Potvin cam and is stamped 415. I'll try to find my original build sheet from Mark.
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Old 06-13-2023, 11:01 AM   #18
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
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.
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others....

"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"
"We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0
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Old 06-13-2023, 08:50 AM   #19
19Fordy
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Red face 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.

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

Last edited by 19Fordy; 06-13-2023 at 09:04 AM.
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Old 06-13-2023, 11:02 AM   #20
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Default Re: Motor City Flathead question

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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others....

"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"
"We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0
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