Mercury flathead for sale

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3k4IGFClhg

I bought this engine for my 1938 Ford five-window coupe project but ended up going in a different direction. The YouTube video shows the engine as it was at the time I bought it. It was a strong running engine with good compression in every cylinder. After it arrived in my possession I took it to Lindsay Strasburg, founder and still manager of Strasburg Machine (http://www.strasburgmotorsports.com/the-brothers/lindsay-strasburg/) in Lindon, Utah. Around these parts there is no bigger name in racing and flatheads than Strasburg Machine.

Lindsay is a living in central Utah and among the Bonneville racing community. I told Lindsay that I wanted him to do it personally—not being certain that his talented young machinist and engine builders would know what to do with a flathead. He agreed but said he would do it at his own pace. He took a year. Lindsay convinced me to ditch the Mercury heads in favor of cast iron Ford units that would raise the compression ratio by a point. Lindsay said that the engine was mostly good. He took apart, cleaned what needed to be, used all new fasteners and gaskets, honed the cylinders, which he said were good. The block, he said, had no cracks big or small.

There is no parts list—this was a labor of love among friends. I bought a ton of stuff and took to Lindsay. I assume he used all parts. I am not asking a lot of money for this engine. All I can say is that it was good before I got it and it is a whole lot better now. No big cam, no multi carb intake. It has a Mercury four-bolt intake and a new Holley two-barrel on top and a very cool air cleaner. The distributor was done by the best in the business, Bubbas Hot Rod Shop (http://www.lindertech.com/hotrod_ign.htm).  The water pumps are new aluminum high flow units. But if you have your own intake, I will sell the long block separately.

I can’t guarantee this engine—and don’t. No warranty expressed or implied. As is where is.  But you aren’t going to risk much with this engine. It has never been started since I got it from Lindsay.  We’ve put machine oil in the cylinders and turn it over occasionally. This is a good, solid engine and 255 Mercs are rare. Don’t pass it up. I will sell the long block for $3,500 plus shipping and the complete engine with intake and distributor for $4,500. I will crate it for shipping and get it over to Old Dominion (or Fastenal if you prefer) but the buyer is responsible to cover the cost of shipping.

Pictures of the intake, carb, distributor and air cleaner will be posted tomorrow.