In the 1940's Cadillac engineers built two identical engines...one was a flat head V8 and the other had overhead valves. Bore, stroke, carburetor...all the same. The overhead valve engine proved far superior. Cadillac introduced the short stroke overhead valve engine in 1949 and the rest isautomotive history. This new engine made the Ford V8 flathed into a dinosaur although it still hung on for a few years.
@ZeekWolfe1 Caddy used their flathead V-8 and Hydramatic to power WWII tanks. Harold Youngren, who helped develop the Olds Rocket V-8 at GM went to work at Ford after the war. There he helped develop Ford's Y-Block V-8 engines. The whole Ford line was going to have OHV V-8s in 1952 but because of the Korean War only Lincoln got one. Ford and Merc had to wait until '54. In '55 the Ford V-8 was supposed to grow to 256-CID but when they heard about Chevy's 265 the Fords got the 272 and Merc a 292.
@bulldogbarks55 Thanks for the history lesson. I once owned a 1949 V8. Very fast and I could get 2nd gear 'rubber' at times. My favorite Ford was a 1953 club coupe, 6 cynlinder/overdrive. The overhead valve six was a great engine and the overdrive made it into a '4 speed' manual transmission. Smooth as crream but not too fast and overheating was a problem...but no vapor lock like the flatheads. Oddly, my 2009 PT Cruiser reminds me of this Ford in some ways.
@ZeekWolfe1 My Dad bought a brand-new Ford every year from 1946-73. He passed away in '74. His '52, '53 and '54 Customline Tudors all had Mileage Maker I-6s with Fordomatic. Those engines had a lot of power. In '55 Dad got his first OHV V-8, a 272 Victoria h/t with Fordomatic. My first car was a '56 Customline Tudor in Raven Black. It had a 272, Fordomatic and a radio. It was spotless and had only 6000 miles on it when we bought it in '63 for $300. I would love to have that car back today.
@bulldogbarks55 I recently purchased a Winnebago motor home, elderly, 1986, but with extremely low mileage and also an extremely low price. It sits on a Ford 350 chassis. As soon as I sat in it, felt and saw the fit and finish of the cab, I realized that Ford really had not changed things much since 1953 and my last Ford, a 1961. There was no mistaking this vehicle for any other make. I would buy another 1953 club coupe in a heartbeat, but non are available, at least in SoCal.
@ZeekWolfe1 You should try to find a '54 Ford. They have the same body as the '53s but have the MacPherson strut front suspension. Ford was the first of the "low-price three" to use the MacPherson front end. Yeah, I guess I'm so familiar with Ford interiors that they seem like my own home to me. My all-time favorite is the '56 dashboard. Symmetrical layout, easy-to-read gauges, no wasted space. Perfect. One last thing, the most Dad paid to trade cars each year was around $800. Amazin'! Go FORD!
Those flathead fords were great engines. With the right exhaust system they really had an impressive sound. And powerful too, especially with the addition of speed equipment.
I got someone a little wierd he put a ford flathead in a 95 crown vic after the old 4.6 had rod knock used the three pseed tranny manual and a clutch system form a mustang nice install actually. funny as hell too when you lift the hood .
So your into jeeps huh? BTW chrysler was the first to go bankrupt. APPARENTLY Fords doing something right because they're the only ons of the big 3 that didn't. I might be a little biased but don't call them junk. BTW my dd is a 99 wrangler.
@mikes47jeep I think the absolute BEST vehicles are before any emissions standards (minus PCV which significantly increases engine life). Simply for the VIN #, if not for the reliable systems already being utilized. Then, carbureted engines before computers were put into service, then early OBD2 setups. OBD1and truly modern vehicles present a multitude of headaches, especially if one plans to continually rebuild the vehicle.
@mikes47jeep Not only that, simply imagine how much it will cost to replace various electronic components 50 years from now on vehicles produced today to restore them completely, if they even survive that long. :)
@luckeydog89 mine was, but its front dif kept having to be replaced. kinda miss that thing to eb honest. but liek that mike guy, i prefer the older vehicles. parts were cheaper. vehicels were easier to work on. anit seemed most of them didnt break often
They actually knew where to put the spark plugs in those days where you could get to them.
imjustpassinthru 4 months ago
Best engine ever built.
imjustpassinthru 4 months ago
FORD didn't have to go begging to Commissar Obama to stay alive.
bulldogbarks55 9 months ago
In the 1940's Cadillac engineers built two identical engines...one was a flat head V8 and the other had overhead valves. Bore, stroke, carburetor...all the same. The overhead valve engine proved far superior. Cadillac introduced the short stroke overhead valve engine in 1949 and the rest isautomotive history. This new engine made the Ford V8 flathed into a dinosaur although it still hung on for a few years.
ZeekWolfe1 9 months ago
@ZeekWolfe1 Caddy used their flathead V-8 and Hydramatic to power WWII tanks. Harold Youngren, who helped develop the Olds Rocket V-8 at GM went to work at Ford after the war. There he helped develop Ford's Y-Block V-8 engines. The whole Ford line was going to have OHV V-8s in 1952 but because of the Korean War only Lincoln got one. Ford and Merc had to wait until '54. In '55 the Ford V-8 was supposed to grow to 256-CID but when they heard about Chevy's 265 the Fords got the 272 and Merc a 292.
bulldogbarks55 9 months ago
@bulldogbarks55 Thanks for the history lesson. I once owned a 1949 V8. Very fast and I could get 2nd gear 'rubber' at times. My favorite Ford was a 1953 club coupe, 6 cynlinder/overdrive. The overhead valve six was a great engine and the overdrive made it into a '4 speed' manual transmission. Smooth as crream but not too fast and overheating was a problem...but no vapor lock like the flatheads. Oddly, my 2009 PT Cruiser reminds me of this Ford in some ways.
ZeekWolfe1 9 months ago
@ZeekWolfe1 My Dad bought a brand-new Ford every year from 1946-73. He passed away in '74. His '52, '53 and '54 Customline Tudors all had Mileage Maker I-6s with Fordomatic. Those engines had a lot of power. In '55 Dad got his first OHV V-8, a 272 Victoria h/t with Fordomatic. My first car was a '56 Customline Tudor in Raven Black. It had a 272, Fordomatic and a radio. It was spotless and had only 6000 miles on it when we bought it in '63 for $300. I would love to have that car back today.
bulldogbarks55 9 months ago
@bulldogbarks55 I recently purchased a Winnebago motor home, elderly, 1986, but with extremely low mileage and also an extremely low price. It sits on a Ford 350 chassis. As soon as I sat in it, felt and saw the fit and finish of the cab, I realized that Ford really had not changed things much since 1953 and my last Ford, a 1961. There was no mistaking this vehicle for any other make. I would buy another 1953 club coupe in a heartbeat, but non are available, at least in SoCal.
ZeekWolfe1 9 months ago
@ZeekWolfe1 You should try to find a '54 Ford. They have the same body as the '53s but have the MacPherson strut front suspension. Ford was the first of the "low-price three" to use the MacPherson front end. Yeah, I guess I'm so familiar with Ford interiors that they seem like my own home to me. My all-time favorite is the '56 dashboard. Symmetrical layout, easy-to-read gauges, no wasted space. Perfect. One last thing, the most Dad paid to trade cars each year was around $800. Amazin'! Go FORD!
bulldogbarks55 9 months ago
Those flathead fords were great engines. With the right exhaust system they really had an impressive sound. And powerful too, especially with the addition of speed equipment.
imjustpassinthru 11 months ago
I got someone a little wierd he put a ford flathead in a 95 crown vic after the old 4.6 had rod knock used the three pseed tranny manual and a clutch system form a mustang nice install actually. funny as hell too when you lift the hood .
dunn98632 1 year ago
@dunn98632 that is awesome! any vids or pics somewhere?
318Captain 1 year ago
ah the good old days before fords became junk
mikes47jeep 2 years ago
@mikes47jeep
So your into jeeps huh? BTW chrysler was the first to go bankrupt. APPARENTLY Fords doing something right because they're the only ons of the big 3 that didn't. I might be a little biased but don't call them junk. BTW my dd is a 99 wrangler.
luckeydog89 2 years ago 4
@luckeydog89 i really dont think ANY company has made a good car since about 1990
they all have too many computers and plastic and weak chinese made parts
nothing is built to last anymore
to me ALL new cars are junk, sorry if i sounded brand bias
mikes47jeep 2 years ago 14
@mikes47jeep I like the newer Tesla Model S haha. Kinda into EV's but I have to agree new cars are shit
sonicthehedge1900 8 months ago
@mikes47jeep I think the absolute BEST vehicles are before any emissions standards (minus PCV which significantly increases engine life). Simply for the VIN #, if not for the reliable systems already being utilized. Then, carbureted engines before computers were put into service, then early OBD2 setups. OBD1and truly modern vehicles present a multitude of headaches, especially if one plans to continually rebuild the vehicle.
joejedlicka 5 months ago
@mikes47jeep Not only that, simply imagine how much it will cost to replace various electronic components 50 years from now on vehicles produced today to restore them completely, if they even survive that long. :)
joejedlicka 5 months ago
@luckeydog89
I dont think Mike was calling ford's junk. It was more of a 'they dont build em like they used to" statement.
Grummur 1 year ago
@luckeydog89 mine was, but its front dif kept having to be replaced. kinda miss that thing to eb honest. but liek that mike guy, i prefer the older vehicles. parts were cheaper. vehicels were easier to work on. anit seemed most of them didnt break often
yamahonkawazuki 8 months ago
That is a real FORD!
TheStubbleking 2 years ago