Wanted: Big Flathead 4-Cylinder Engine

There are definitely big four cylinder flat head engines out there, but why would you need one. The power from a 300 CI flat head can be surpassed by a late 4 cyl engine. The GM Ecotec, the late Ford, Chrysler Toyota Nissan or Honda engines would provide all the power your theme vehicle needs. Edelbrock is still manufacturing new heads for Ford's last flathead engine. Place the flat head on top of the new engine. Fabricate whatever is needed to mate the sides of the new head to the cam cover. Put 4 spark plugs in the extra head. Cut all but the very top off of the head bolts, and epoxy them into the head. run some plug wires to a hidden area of the engine, and enjoy a reliable low cost engine.

I saw an article in Hot Rod magazine about two years ago about an auto enthusiast in Norway or Sweden that had purchased an old model A, and fitted it with an English Ford racing engine, disguised as I stated. He carried it further in that he had an ignition system on it that would randomly cut off a cylinder. Made the engine sound just like a sputtering old model a engine. Until he got on the throttle. Then it was a 300+ hp rocket. The wheels were forged aluminum spoke items that looked like wood, and were painted to give that look. I will try to find the article on the web for you.

Will the vehicle be driven, or is it mainly for looks?

Hi Bob. It will be driven, but the main purpose is show. I don't want to cheat on the engine, I want a real flatty, but big and old looking, like it would have come from a tractor or an earthmover, etc. An ordinary Ford wouldn't fit the bill. Something obscure would be good, too.

I saw the article on the Swedish Model A Ford. They used a Cosworth BDA 16 Valve engine but cleverly disguised it as an industrial engine or early Edwardian auto engine. There wasn't much Model A left, it was trick from front to back, it used a hi-tech 5 link rear suspension and went like the clappers. Not cheap though.

See, I'm not crazy.

_{Well maybe just a little}

I have a JXD Hercules engine. This is a six cylinder flat head that produces 65 HP and as best as I remember, it is a 320 cubic inch engine. The last time this engine ran was 15 years ago. It is sitting in a fork lift in my back yard.

Look for an old bull dozer rusting away in the field. Old running dozers are surprisingly cheap because they are hard to transport. Or maybe an old road tractor that is abandoned. I bet some of these prior to around 1960 were large gas flatheads. If memory serves me right International had very popular flat heads in mobile equipment.

There is enough old equipment between Abilene and Ft. Stockton you may find a gem...

Hi- there were large flathead 4 cylinder engines used by most of the cities in North America to supply air for jackhammers, sandblasting etc- there were actually two of them- one was the engine, the other the compressor- they were like a trailer and had tires on them so they could be towed behind city trucks- I rebuilt one of them years ago for a friend- the engines were identical except for the valving- they might be hard to find now- I think they were Internationals-Chuck

If this is planned to go on the road, licensed as a vehicle, in most countries you will not get it registered as a) it will probably need petrol with lead in it for the valve seats b) it will be very dirty exhaust wise....

Here in Germany, you will not get it past the TÜV......

Continental and Hercules both made large flat head industrial engines that you can still get parts for. I'm not as sure about Budha, though they were used on many tractors. As peviously posted, old road equipment, tractors, portable pumps, portable welders, and fork lifts have all used these engines. Save the effort and ignore Oliver tractors; they started using overhead valve technology in the 1930's. John Deere can get you up to 500 cubic inches in 2 cylinders, but the layout will be horizontal. You may really like the John Deeres; many of these were started by hand turning the flywheel and had 1/4 turn decompression valves on the cylinders.

to the OP........please keep us posted

Hi guys. Been distracted by other projects. Latest idea is a Hudson Hornet straight six flathead. These were big in drag racing in the 50's, and I can still get parts and work fairly easily.

I have a 4CYL engine I received from a neighbor. How can I tell the size, make etc? I also have the transmission that goes to that same engine I believe it to be a standard transmission.