The Ford Barn

JayChicago · 10-05-2023, 12:32 PM

No doubt you experienced guys have seen this before, but I'm new to flatheads and this was a shocker to me.

A guy in our local Gearheads club just bought a T-bucket with a "flathead" engine. As I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what I'm looking at, he points out to me it's not a flathead at all. It's a SBC with aftermarket heads and "flathead" valve covers.

Weird! But still, interesting to see.

petehoovie · 10-05-2023, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayChicago

No doubt you experienced guys have seen this before, but I'm new to flatheads and this was a shocker to me.

A guy in our local Gearheads club just bought a T-bucket with a "flathead" engine. As I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what I'm looking at, he points out to me it's not a flathead at all. It's a SBC with aftermarket heads and "flathead" valve covers.

Weird! But still, interesting to see.

jimTN · 10-05-2023, 04:15 PM

Just another garbage truck engine!

34fordy · 10-05-2023, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimTN

Just another garbage truck engine!

At least he covered up some of the UGLY but it still would not have the sweet sound!

cadillac512 · 10-05-2023, 05:44 PM

Those upper spark plugs are going to oil foul pretty quickly.

paul2748 · 10-05-2023, 06:54 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

These scrub guys will do anything to cover up their engines.

GB SISSON · 10-05-2023, 09:07 PM

With all that time and expense on those 4" thick finned 'valve covers' the creator shoulda gone straight for the holy grail and faked a pair of Arduns.

slowforty · 10-06-2023, 07:16 AM

yeah and you have to put thev oil in through a spark plug hole

deuce_roadster · 10-06-2023, 10:07 AM

Hey Gary, at the Shelton car show, I sat and listened to the comments of the folks who walked by describing this as a '350', a fuel injected Big block Chev, Hillborn injection on a small block Chev, an Olds Rocket 88, a nailhead Buick with aftermarket valve covers, a Chrysler hemi. It was quite amusing. There were 3 of us "gray hairs" that actually knew what it was![IMG]

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Flathead · 10-06-2023, 10:19 AM

We are raising a poor crop of new gearheads, very sad.

Karl Wescott · 10-06-2023, 04:14 PM

There are good young gearheads out there. They just think its not a hot rod until it gets over 8000 rpm. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeee

paul2748 · 10-06-2023, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

With all that time and expense on those 4" thick finned 'valve covers' the creator shoulda gone straight for the holy grail and faked a pair of Arduns.

Joe B. · 10-06-2023, 07:54 PM

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

mfirth · 10-07-2023, 06:53 AM

You won't find two water pumps on a "fake" flathead either.........

Scott52 · 10-07-2023, 08:32 AM

I have and SBC 283 but it's in a 56 Chevrolet. I bought a 8BA at the start of COVID because I had never worked on one. The 52 Crestline came with it, my current project. I also have a classic Dodge 230 Flathead in a Power Wagon. They were around forever. Fun working on different engines.

pistonbroke · 10-07-2023, 08:34 AM

at least the guy new the SBC should not be seen in public. Tim

51 MERC-CT · 10-07-2023, 10:08 AM

Just happens to be done to a SBC

Saw the same treatment over 20 years ago, only difference it was done using a 289 FORD OHV.

V8COOPMAN · 10-07-2023, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Just happens to be done to a SBC

Saw the same treatment over 20 years ago, only difference it was done using a 289 FORD OHV.

Yup, here's a "little" Chevy with ARDUN heads. Check water pump & distributor.

Coop

GB SISSON · 10-07-2023, 07:47 PM

We are unlikely to see anyone installing fake chevy valve covers on a ford flathead.

tubman · 10-07-2023, 08:46 PM

Coop, I'll bet that "Ardun" would fool 99% of the Hoi Polloi.

10-05-2023, 04:15 PM	#3
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: Flathead SBC Just another garbage truck engine!

10-05-2023, 05:44 PM	#5
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 922	Re: Flathead SBC Those upper spark plugs are going to oil foul pretty quickly. __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

10-05-2023, 06:54 PM	#6
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Flathead SBC Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) These scrub guys will do anything to cover up their engines. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

10-05-2023, 09:07 PM	#7
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,942	Re: Flathead SBC With all that time and expense on those 4" thick finned 'valve covers' the creator shoulda gone straight for the holy grail and faked a pair of Arduns. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

10-06-2023, 07:16 AM	#8
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	Re: Flathead SBC yeah and you have to put thev oil in through a spark plug hole

10-06-2023, 10:07 AM	#9
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Flathead SBC Hey Gary, at the Shelton car show, I sat and listened to the comments of the folks who walked by describing this as a '350', a fuel injected Big block Chev, Hillborn injection on a small block Chev, an Olds Rocket 88, a nailhead Buick with aftermarket valve covers, a Chrysler hemi. It was quite amusing. There were 3 of us "gray hairs" that actually knew what it was![IMG][/IMG]

10-06-2023, 10:19 AM	#10
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,499	Re: Flathead SBC We are raising a poor crop of new gearheads, very sad.

10-06-2023, 04:14 PM	#11
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,289	Re: Flathead SBC There are good young gearheads out there. They just think its not a hot rod until it gets over 8000 rpm. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeee

10-06-2023, 07:54 PM	#13
Joe B. Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Westmont, Il. Posts: 65	Re: Flathead SBC "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." __________________ 1950 Custom Tudor

10-07-2023, 06:53 AM	#14
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: Flathead SBC You won't find two water pumps on a "fake" flathead either.........

10-07-2023, 08:32 AM	#15
Scott52 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 146	Re: Flathead SBC I have and SBC 283 but it's in a 56 Chevrolet. I bought a 8BA at the start of COVID because I had never worked on one. The 52 Crestline came with it, my current project. I also have a classic Dodge 230 Flathead in a Power Wagon. They were around forever. Fun working on different engines.

10-07-2023, 08:34 AM	#16
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 485	Re: Flathead SBC at least the guy new the SBC should not be seen in public. Tim

10-07-2023, 10:08 AM	#17
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Flathead SBC Just happens to be done to a SBC Saw the same treatment over 20 years ago, only difference it was done using a 289 FORD OHV. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

10-07-2023, 07:47 PM	#19
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,942	Re: Flathead SBC We are unlikely to see anyone installing fake chevy valve covers on a ford flathead. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

10-07-2023, 08:46 PM	#20
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Flathead SBC Coop, I'll bet that "Ardun" would fool 99% of the Hoi Polloi.