(Tech) How-To Hopping Up The Flathead

Part II: There is No Greater Tradition Than Mail-Order Hot Rodding

- Gerry Burger

Last issue we had just heard the last click of the torque wrench bringing our new Sharp finned aluminum heads down into perfect contact with our vintage 59AB Flathead Ford V-8 block. We had also installed a new rear main seal, oil pan, and happily discovered the internals of our good-running Flathead were in good condition. With the bottom end sealed up and the heads in place it was time to turn our attention to the top side of the motor, continuing the “glory work” of installing the Sharp two-deuce intake and other performance upgrades.

Of course before you can install a new aluminum intake the old cast-iron intake must be removed. First we lifted the original-style Ford script and carburetor off the intake and set it aside and did the same with the fuel pump and breather tube. Then we unbolted the original intake and set about cleaning any remaining gasket material from the block. Take every precaution you can to ensure none of this old material finds its way into the engine.

With a perfectly clean surface it was time to install the Sharp intake from H&H Flatheads. The intake is a faithful reproduction of the original and the quality is first class. We opted to use Allen cap bolts on the intakes (with four exceptions) as this style of bolt provided more clearance around the high-performance runners on the Sharp intake. The four exceptions were the bolts that would hold our polished stainless steel, Speedway Motors ignition wire looms in place. These four bolts would use conventional hex bolts with a stud weld on top to hold the looms. The wire looms could be held in place by the intake bolt but we like the idea of being able to remove the ignition wires without disturbing the intake bolts, should that need ever arise.