In 1948 well known race car builder Frank Kurtis took a wrecked 1941 Buick and turned into the custom car known as the Kurtis Sport you can see in the photo and powered it with a modified Ford Flathead V8
Read Larry Edsall’s article at classic car.com Journal on Kurtis and his customs here
One of the cars is for sale in Saint Louis, Missouri a 1949 Kurtis Sports, the listing is here
From the Ford Flathead V8 onward the V8 engine has been the soundtrack to the American Car among others, here’s a great article on V8 history
The Ford Flathead V8 wasn’t the first V8, but when it debuted in the 1932 Model 18, it brought this brilliant engine configuration to the American masses.
Read Chris Perkins at Road and Track on the rise and fall of Henry’s legendary mill
Why did the Ford Flathead die?
Read Raphael’s article here at Jalopnik which sheds some light on the reasons.
An excellent photo essay on a Flathead V8 rebuilders operation back on the day.
The rest of the article is here on The Old Motor and as always the content is of a very high quality
Here’s a pick of the day from a few weeks back by Ben Golfen at Classic Cars.com. It’s a lovely 1939 Ford V8 Coupe rocking the Flathead and a glorious colour scheme from the Swift Premium Co and has been in the same family since 1942!
Ben’s article on the car can be found here and The listing is here
Googling around as you do I initially found the story of Mark Kirby’s newly engineered Flathead V8 block on the Coker Tyres website
This is a quite old story from back in 2010
This page led to me to the Motor City Speed Equipment Website
Here you can find some details and specifcations for the newly engineered flathead block, not sure how old this information is?
There is also an old article here on Hot Rod Network
I also found a video on YouTube from 2012 showing Mark discussing the project
I’m not sure what has happened to the project since but some chatter on the H.A.M.B suggests that Jon Hall on Shadow Rods may be involved?
Ford Flathead V8!!
Modeled after a 40s 239 block and after market accessories.
Eric’s description
This is my most detailed model yet. All accessories including spark plugs were modeled. Over 200 hours print time for all parts. Almost two full rolls of filament.
All my models are printed on a Prusa i3 kit. You can find the one I use by clicking the link below. You can get 15% off by using code “GBTE”
Tronxy Prusa I3
You will need to print on an 8×10″ glass bed and change the “X” travel distance settings in the firmware to print the block.
Complete hardware kits are available. I partnered with MakerRX. Head over to their page to purchase my kit and get 10% off HatchBox/ColorFabb Filament which is some of the best filament that you can get for the price.
https://www.makerrx.com/products/mrx5
Really nice to camera piece from ArcLite Fab in which Brian discusses his approach and Hot Rod philosophy.
As a bonus I’ve also added the Gas Monkey piece to camera with Brian during his recent Hot Rod build collaboration which was featured on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine
Hemi v Flathead
Article from How Stuff Works on the Hemi engine and the comparison with the venerable Flathead.
Read the complete article here
