The Ford Barn

Moonshin'R · 06-12-2023, 07:57 PM

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.

fordor41 · 06-12-2023, 09:59 PM

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

petehoovie · 06-12-2023, 10:11 PM

tubman · 06-12-2023, 10:19 PM

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.

Lanny · 06-12-2023, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

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

.

petehoovie · 06-13-2023, 12:07 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Remembering Motor City Flathead

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

Krylon32 · 06-13-2023, 05:43 AM

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

V8 Bob · 06-13-2023, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonshin'R

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.

Bored&Stroked · 06-13-2023, 07:38 AM

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.

19Fordy · 06-13-2023, 08:48 AM

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.

19Fordy · 06-13-2023, 08:50 AM

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

hotrodcbx · 06-13-2023, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

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..

Moonshin'R · 06-13-2023, 10:07 AM

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

Moonshin'R · 06-13-2023, 10:15 AM

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.

19Fordy · 06-13-2023, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonshin'R

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.

petehoovie · 06-13-2023, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

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.

petehoovie · 06-13-2023, 11:02 AM

petehoovie · 06-13-2023, 11:49 AM

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...

sidevalve8ba · 06-13-2023, 12:09 PM

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

petehoovie · 06-13-2023, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidevalve8ba

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

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/

06-12-2023, 07:57 PM	#1
Moonshin'R Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	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.

06-12-2023, 09:59 PM	#2
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	Re: Motor City Flathead question MCF went out of business yrs ago. I see he has since passed away.

06-12-2023, 10:11 PM	#3
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,160	Re: Motor City Flathead question __________________ 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

06-12-2023, 10:19 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	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.

06-13-2023, 12:07 AM	#6
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,160	Re: Motor City Flathead question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Remembering Motor City Flathead https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231920 __________________ 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

06-13-2023, 05:43 AM	#7
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	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.

06-13-2023, 07:38 AM	#9
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	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.

06-13-2023, 08:50 AM	#11
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	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.

06-13-2023, 10:07 AM	#13
Moonshin'R Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	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!

06-13-2023, 10:15 AM	#14
Moonshin'R Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	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.

06-13-2023, 11:02 AM	#17
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,160	Re: Motor City Flathead question __________________ 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

06-13-2023, 11:49 AM	#18
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,160	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... __________________ 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 Last edited by petehoovie; 06-13-2023 at 11:57 AM.

06-13-2023, 12:09 PM	#19
sidevalve8ba Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 842	Re: Motor City Flathead question I have an invoice from Motor City Flathead dated Jan. 2001.