THE FLATHEAD FIASCO Daisy Chain Delivery
NO PETS
One Flathead. One continent. No actual transportation plan. Somewhere in Fallbrook, California, buried among enough vintage marine hardware to occupy a WoodyBoater for days, sat an old Flathead. Its new destination? Matt Smith at Woody Boater World Headquarters in Reedville, Virginia. The problem: it is roughly an entire United States away. The solution: The Flathead Fiasco Daisy Chain Delivery.
First problem: find the damn thing.
There she was – several hundred pounds of genuine American cast iron, apparently unaware she’d just been volunteered for a cross-country adventure.
Flathead in its natural habitat. Patina included at no extra charge.
FLATHEAD, PREPARE FOR FLIGHT. A couple straps, an engine hoist and just enough confidence to make this seem reasonable. OSHA was fortunately not invited.
Gotta clear the runway
At this point the operation became legally difficult to describe.
Next problem: transportation. A commercial freight truck? Of course not. We had an SUV.
Measurements used the traditional Woody Boater method: “Yeah… that’ll fit.”
And somehow, it did. With enough ratchet straps, lumber and blind optimism, the Flathead was secured.
Leg One is underway: Southern California toward Arkansas. After Arkansas? That’s where things get interesting. Somebody still has to get this glorious lump of Detroit iron the rest of the way to Reedville, Virginia. If you’re heading east, have cargo room, a few ratchet straps and a history of questionable decisions…
And somehow, it did. With enough ratchet straps, lumber and blind optimism, the Flathead was secured.
WE MAY NEED YOU. No freight company. No logistics department. No tracking number. Just WoodyBoaters moving a Flathead across America one ridiculous handoff at a time. TO BE CONTINUED… Next episode: The Arkansas Connection.
A huge thanks to the California /Arkansa Chain Gang, John Maddox, The Hamster and the Robinsons for getting the chain going. What could possibly go wrong? Or right actually.
Ok, the suspense is killing me. Not only regarding the method of transportation, but what does it get used for/in when it gets to Reedville?
Another secret project?
That will B good
Great grab! AND….ta da! I have an ultra rare set of marine manifolds for that baby…yours for the taking….coming to the Big Reedville Show this weekend….could deliver…lot easier than across the country? John in Va
Put this one in a Ventnor Hydro a few years back. With straight pipes it sounds awesome! Good luck with the transport.
The boat is built but the owner has not had it on the lake yet.
Ford Flathead
Put this flathead in a Ventnor Hydro a few years back. It sounds awesome with straight pipes.
I still have the original engine that was in “Sindbad” – a 1939 Cadillac flathead V-8, marinized by the owner with custom welded water jacketed exhaust manifolds and twin Winfield downdraft carburetors. Underneath one of my workbenches…
Dick, I think I have tripped on that motor or maybe it was one of the other ones! How is the Morgan coming?
Sorry for the doubles. Last I heard about this boat is all of the artwork is being hand painted like it was back in the 50’s. Like the old STP, Champion and Gulf fuel stickers.
Brian’s motor, my barn. Happy to see it go to someone who will use it. Did anyone take note of the engine dolly/ engine bed in pictures 3 and 4. Who can ID this.
How about the Gecko in picture one
Colouring is correct patina
Engine should be named the ford gecko
Not sure if it has ICE clearance for the multi state trip
Iam sure Matt will keep us informed as he milks this story
If it’s going to Arkansas, maybe you can slip it in one of the millions of Walmart tractor trailer trucks headed east. ;).
A little late to the party today. Family things going on. I didn’t know you were looking for flathead’s Matt. I just sold a block about two months ago. Motor looks like a pre-1949. I’m sure this daisychain will work well. I think you should build it all the way before you put it in a boat.