Stewart Woollard

Wow, thank you. You guys are much better online detectives than I am. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Cheers, Stewart.

From what I can find the heads with "Spitfire" cast on them were no different than previous 25" heads. Just wanting to know when they first came out. Cheers, Stewart.

Hi guys, I've searched the web but can't find a definitive answer. Should have just come to the experts first! What was the first year that Chrysler used the Spitfire head? Cheers, Stewart.

I can, and probably will do this using a '40s Ford M/C that matches the drum brakes I'm using. I wanted to know if Mopar had the same style M/C with a smaller bore, as I would use that if they did.

The style of my hot rod is as if it was built in the '40s. The car will not run with a hood. The M/C will be in plain sight, so I want it era correct. The obvious answer it use the Ford M/C that was used with the '40s Ford brakes I'm using. I just wondered if Mopar used the same style M/C, but with a smaller bore.

Hi, I am building a 1926 Ford Roadster hot rod. I am using a 251 engine mated to T5 transmission. I like that the truck bellhousing has the mounts for both the pedals and the M/C. The bore of the M/C that came with the bellhousing is 1 1/4". I am using early Ford drum brakes and need a smaller bore, 1 1/16". So my question is there a Mopar M/C with a bore of 1 1/16" with the same bolt pattern as my truck bellhousing? A picture of my project. Cheers, Stewart.

Sorry, yes I would buy the whole engine and trans. I would then pick the best block, and use the 230 rods and crank to rebuild. Cheers, Stewart.

As I am planning on rebuilding my engine soon, I just took the time to read this in one sitting. The high level of machining is fabulous. The attention to detail is incredible. Thank you so much for taking the time to document your build, I realise how time consuming that is. Being new to these flathead 6s, I don't even know what I don't know! This thread has helped enormously. Thank you again. Cheers, Stewart.

Oh, I forgot to say, It won't roll over :<(. Looks like I have to pass, or take a 50/50 chance! Thanks for the help guys. Cheers, Stewart.

I'm looking for a 230 crank and rods as I'm about to start on rebuilding my 218 and would like the extra cubes! I've found an engine and trans from a 1949 truck locally. When I asked for the engine#, the owner sent me this picture of the pad where the # usually is. It looks like it has never been machined, looks as cast. Is there any other way to tell if its a 218 or a 230 without having to take off the head or pan. Cheers, Stewart.

I meant that if I switched to factory a 12 volt starter, I would need to switch to the factory 12 volt starter ring gear. Didn't realise that was just wrong!

My "understanding" is that the 6 volt and 12 volt ring gears are different ,as the drive gear on the starter is this different. Is this correct? I have a 1948 218 truck engine I'm putting in a hot rod. It has a 6 volt starter. I'm going to use a mini HEI distributor from Langdons, so I need 12 volts. Whats the best way to go about this. Is it feasible to change the field coils in the starter or is it better to just get a 12volt starter and change my ring gear? What year was the changeover to 12 volts? I know, so many questions grasshopper :<). Thanks, Stewart.

Thanks guys. Looks like I'm buying my Christmas prezzies early! Cheers, Stewart.

I've got a 218 Dodge engine I am about to start a rebuild on. My plan is for a dual carb intake, tubular or split original exhaust, and skim the head. I haver never worked on these engines before. What books would you guys recommend specific to the flathead 6 ? Cheers, Stewart

No, sorry. Cheers, Stewart.

I have found the parts I need. There are out west. They just want $500 for them! that doesn't include shipping. More than I want to pay! Looking at running a double pulley on the water pump and mount the fan where I need it. The other possibility is to fabricate a housing and use a separate pump, like the '57-'59. Cheers, Stewart.

See picture above. It shows the water pump and its separate housing, the different timing cover and the crank pulley which is spaced forward to line up with fan pulley. Cheers, Stewart.

Really I need the top of the fan blade to be at least 3"-4" lower. I think cutting this amount off the fan blades would make near useless. I need this sorted before making any engine mounts. Basically I will position the radiator, then push the engine up to the radiator, then push the body up to the back of the engine. Its a hot rod, I'm making it up as I go!! I think the '57-'59 conversion would lower the fan about 5" which would be great. Just got to find the parts reasonably priced. Cheers, Stewart.

Thanks for the replies guys. I bought a truck 218 because a T5 is easier/cheaper to adapt to a truck bellhousing. I have an S10 T5 I'm going to use. Apart from the T5, I'm trying to keep this car looking like it was built in the '40s, so an electric fan is not an option. The engine is tall, and if I lower it in the frame low enough so the fan doesn't hit the upper hose, the sump hangs below the frame over 8", too low. Another hot rodder who is building a single seat car using a Dodge flathead gave me the list of parts he used to overcome the same problem. 1957-59 Plymouth car. Water pump housing. Water pump and pulley. Crank pulley, Timing cover. Generator mount. These parts lower the water pump to the timing cover and push the pulleys forward hence the need for the crank pulley and generator mount. See picture I've attached. The problem is locating these parts. These year cars are rare with 230 engines. I contacted Bernhaums, who didn't have anything, but told me try Moores Salvage. They are 3 hours behind us, so I'm waiting for them to open. Does anybody have any parts sources I should try? Thanks, Stewart.

Hi guys, First post and I'm already asking for help! I've been lurking for a while. In fact, it's you guys that convinced me to get a flathead 6. I've got a 1949 218 Dodge truck engine and transmission I'm putting in my '26 Ford roadster hot rod. The fan blades will hit the top hose of my radiator. I've been told I need the cooling parts from a 1957-59 Dodge/Plymouth car. I can locate the actual pump easily enough, but don't know what else I need, or where to start looking, so I'm starting here. Could any of you guys give me a list of parts I need for this conversion, and any sources for them. Best of all would be getting parts from you guys. Cheers, Stewart.