Hi, and I have lots of questions....

[mobile_bob]

Steve

no problem
i would agree there are many engine's that are vastly more efficient than an old flathead
just darn few as bullet proof as the old continental

at least in my experience anyway

for an engine to be used for shtf scenario or for a test bed the flathead might be quite useful
at least to work out the gasifier

having said that, once i got a system operational i might well be interested in a much more efficient engine such as one of many overhead valve engine's with an eye on increased efficiency.

its just hard to argue against the use of a continental flat head that in my experience can eat all sorts of dirt and manage to continue to run with very low compression, really sloppy pistons, wornout rings and valve guides.  they seem to continue to run fairly well without overly smokey exhaust when other engine's would be turning the world blue.

just my opinion

bob g