How many miles on your flatheads?

[Matt Wilson]

Hi folks, I'm just curious how many miles you guys have gotten out of your flatheads since they've been rebuilt.  Especially as related to the small block, such as 230 cid like mine.  Or how many miles you've heard of other people getting.  I posted a similar question on the car forum.

As I said, just curiosity...

Thanks!

[55 Fargo]

George Asche has about 200k on his 29 Desoto, I have know n a number of flathead owner with 80k and over.

Lets face it back in the day, valve grinds, ring jobs timing chains done 50-100k.

My engine, boy I sure wish I knew, has fairly even and decent compression, great oil pressure, no obvious evidence of a rebuild. My engine and drivetrain was from a farm truck, so may be less than 50k to begin with.

I have a friend up here, has a 32 Chrysler with a 52, 250 engine, he rebuilt it in 1989, has about 125k, getting tired now, but not rebuilt since, it runs darn well yet...

[Matt Wilson]

I had heard about George Asche's 200,000 mile engine when I spoke with him several years ago.  He said he runs synthetic oil, and he seemed to attribute the long life to that.  Otherwise, it sounds like 75 - 100K is fairly typical, although some examples go well beyond 100K.  I found a blurb in the L-6 Engine Rebuild section of Don Bunn's Dodge Truck book, in which the author says he has seen some examples running well with over 100K on them, and others totally worn out at 40k, and that 70,000 miles is an average life in passenger car use, based on his experience.  Thanks for the response.