The Sweet Sounds of a Flathead Ford V8

Flathead Ford V8

This video was put together simply to share the sweet sounds of this Flathead Ford V8. It is a little long (just over 3 minutes), but with such an awesome sounding engine, we just had to share…

This motor came in as a block with the original crank with the machine work completed in preparation for a rebuild. The parts came from Honest Charley Speed Shop, spec’d by hot-rodding ace Mike Goodman including custom polished Sharp heads and dual carb intake.

Hal Everett spent some quality time assembling the motor and getting the carbs tuned as well as figuring out some distributor and water pump fitment issues. The result is one of the best-sounding flathead motors that we have ever heard (and believe us we’ve heard a whole bunch of them).

Honest Charley Speed Shop

Technical Specifications

All parts, final assembly, and startup by Honest Charley Speed Shop

Wayne Pugh’s Honest Charley prepared Street Performance Flathead  Ford V8

Intended use: 1940 Ford Coupe

  • Engine: 1946 59AB
  • Bore: 3 3/8″
  • Stroke: 4″ Mercury crank
  • CID: 286
  • Heads: Sharp-fully polished
  • Cam: Isky 400 JR., ’49-’53 8BA type
  • Springs: Isky single 185-G
  • Valves/Guides: 1.5″ diameter, 8BA type. 45-degree seats
  • Rods: Scat H-beam
  • Pistons: Ross forged
  • Rings: Moly-metric
  • Intake: Sharp 2 x 2. Fully polished
    Carbs: Stromberg 97. New. .043 jets
    Air cleaners: OTB dome top 4140
    Carb linkage: Stromberg premium
    Rear breather: OTB 6825
  • Distributor: Mallory Unilite, ’49-’53 8BA type.
    Water pumps: modern ’49-’53 8BA type. Bypass plugged
    Crank pulley: Removed and relocated forward for alignment & to mount stock ’40 Ford fan.
  • Gaskets: Best brand. Graftite head gaskets.
  • Starter: Powermaster Vintage
    Alternator: Powermaster early look
    Headers: Reds, open exhaust