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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 53 8BA Flathead

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Posted By Discussion Topic: 53 8BA Flathead     TomO 03-26-2017 @ 7:52 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7256 Joined: Oct 2009 Gadachy23, I have a bad history of setting prices. No matter what I price I put on something, everybody says it too high, yet when I go to buy something, I have to pay those same too high prices. So I can't say if your asking price will attract interest. I had a very nice 50,000 mile 65 Cutlass convertible that was all original, including the top. I was asking $16,000 and kept getting offers around $5,000 and one for $1,500. I finally gave up and consigned the car to an antique dealer, who advertised it for $24,000 and sold it within 60 days. Tom Stroker 03-24-2017 @ 11:41 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 As a former Bonneville and El Mirage racer, I believe that you had a "great mentor" in Bob. I also believe the way the motor is advertised will give it a "good home". Vellios Machine Shop is highly-regarded. As for the "spec's" it sounds like a wonderful piece of hardware. I'd suggest also advertising it in one of the SCTA(Southern California Timing Association) club newsletters. Such as the Rod Riders Racing Team or San Diego Roadster Club newsletter, as these clubs have quite a number of Flathead racers as members, including Don Ferguson, who is also currently manufacturing new ARDUN hemi heads for 39-53 motors. Here's a "link" to the Rod Riders Secretary. Ron Kisinger <rkisinger@kisinger-cpas.com> This message was edited by Stroker on 3-24-17 @ 11:45 AM Gadachy23 03-24-2017 @ 10:38 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Nov 2016 Thanks for the reply Tom! When I initially posted the ad on this site and on craigslist, I had a price of $4500 on it. After the ad posting expired on the EFV8Club site, I didn't post it again. Based on the description of the build and your history on this forum, do you think that price will attract attention? TomO 03-24-2017 @ 7:08 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7256 Joined: Oct 2009 Your ad does not mention asking price. If you are asking $10,000 for the engine, you will have few people interested in it. You may have a lot of money invested in the engine, but do not expect to get all of it back on a quick sale. Tom Gadachy23 03-23-2017 @ 12:10 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Nov 2016 Thank you to all that replied! All of this information is useful. In reference to the engine, I was mentored by a close friend (Bob) in Redondo Beach that has been running and building flathead motors for 30 plus years. He even powers a land speed car off of a built up flathead that he and his wife run at El Mirage. He taught me how to completely tear down a flathead (step-by-step) and then how to build this one back up. We built the engine together over the course of 5 months in his shop. He supplied most of parts for the build. His only condition to the build is that I, someday, pass along the knowledge. He had a good block, with no cracks, that I bought from him. The block went to Velios Machine Shop in Redondo Beach for all the machine work and the engine was balanced as well. It was bored .030 over. When we got the block and the other components back, we polished it inside, chased all the threads and smoothed out the rough edges on the block. I ordered new pistons and rings from Egge in Long Beach. We used a stock Ford crank, stock cam and Ford rods. We also utilized adjustable lifters. With his guidance, I built the pistons and rods. We also built new intake and exhaust valve packs utilizing new valves and springs that we pressure tested before using. After we mounted it to a block stand and cleaned it all up, I did all the prep and we painted the block and oil pan red. I ordered the new parts for the engine from Speedway. Bob had everything else. We put all new bearings in the engine, used new bearing caps and ARP main bolts to tighten it all up. Speedway also supplied the new oil pump and all the new seals and gaskets and other parts as well. Everything was properly lubed, gapped and torqued to spec. My 51 Shoebox was going to be a cruiser so that is why Bob suggested the aftermarket ignition. He also had the Edlebrock Super in his collection of manifolds and we rebuilt the 94’s on top of it. That is why I used that for the top end. I could not afford finned aluminum heads for my project so he also supplied a set of stock heads that I cleaned up and clear coated. After the engine was built, we hooked it all up and fired it for the first time. It ran like a champ! I have a good amount of cash in that motor so I know exactly what it’s worth. I also documented the entire build with pictures and videos. That is why I hope to sell it for a fair price. Here is the ad I ran. Maybe you all can give me your thoughts… "Newly rebuilt and tested 1953 Ford Flathead V8 engine, 8BA block bored .30 over. All machine work and balancing was done at Vellio's Machine Shop in Redondo Beach. Stock Ford crank and cam. New Egge Piston heads and rings. Ford connecting rods. Stock Ford 24 bolt heads, clear coated. Edlebrock Super intake manifold with dual 94's. Water Pumps are for mock-up purpose only, it will need new water pumps. Comes with a ProComp HEI and additional parts (ignition coil, original Ford starter, bell housing, starter plate, acorn head bolt covers). I ran and tested the engine on a stand and it runs perfect." Thanks for taking the time to read the quick bio on the flathead. Let me know what you all think. - Michael This message was edited by Gadachy23 on 3-23-17 @ 12:50 PM supereal 03-23-2017 @ 10:56 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 If you don't have documentation regarding the name and contact info for the place that did the "fresh rebuild", it will be a "red flag" for prospective buyers if they know the ropes. This is extremely important if the engine is out of the car and can't be started or run. This is likely why you haven't had much luck attracting interest. This message was edited by supereal on 3-23-17 @ 10:57 AM flathead4rd 03-23-2017 @ 7:57 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 169 Joined: Oct 2009 Post it on flatheadsrus.com or shoebox-central.com also the fordbarn.com Probably will get more hits with those web sites. TomO 03-23-2017 @ 7:24 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7256 Joined: Oct 2009 In addition to Stroker's good advice, price is very important. Removing the intake and dual ignition will let you lower your price int the range that will attract attention. Tom Stroker 03-22-2017 @ 5:03 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 1. This from an "old hotrodder"...The Edlelbrock "Super" 180-degree competition intake manifold should be taken-off and offered separately, as it has "no-business" on a motor being offered for sale to a restorer. 2. Likewise with the aftermarket dual-coil ignition. 3. The "fresh-built" description doesn't tell anyone much. Is it "stock"? Is it "modified", if so, how? 4. IF you "know" what's in the motor, you need to share with potential buyers. If you don't, then offering an "unknown" with a nice intake and aftermarket ignition just "raises questions". This motor will "sell" if you simply describe what it "is". Our site is as good as any, but only for those who are looking to replace a "stock engine" with a better stock engine. Craig's list is OK if you want someone nearby to simply "take it off your hands". Consider eBay motors, or Hemmings for better coverage. Gadachy23 03-22-2017 @ 4:38 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Nov 2016 Hi everybody! Question from young hotrodder - I was working on beautiful 1951 2 door Club Coupe project and unfortunately, the car had to go but the complete, fresh built flathead is still in my garage. I need to sell it and it seems craigslist and the classifieds on this website don't get me any action. Any thoughts on the best way to advertise this beauty? Thanks in advance!

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