I bought a french flathead for my Ford F1 from 1952.

Can anyone give me more information about this engine. Is this a US engine, with french starter and generator, or is it realy a french engine.

Thanks.

 

As far as I know, the French's army kept the flathead design in some type of truck up into the '80s, and of course through that period of time a few things were added and changed, but the French flathead is still the same basic engine as the American flathead. Here, check this out,

http://www.reds-headers.com/html/ffh.htm

Well, it used to have more info, I think. Ok, and this too,

http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/french.htm

That's about all I can tell you, or send you to.

Clayton

 

The design is part 59A and part 8BA and part French.
It is the French part that hurts since there are several differences that can cause problems for the builder.

The block was designed for low revving Army trucks and stationary engines so the porting is pretty restrictive; worse than USA blocks. As many say "Built in Governor"

With work (read $$$) they can be made to perform but most gave up on them for real performance applications.

When Halibrand first brought them into the country they were an easy sell at $1500. Ive seen them being dumped on EBay by disillusioned buyers for $500-700.

Ive talked to a few who built them for fairly mild prewar cars (and are happy) but I havent seen one up close in this area yet.

 

Thanks for your reply to my questions.

Does anyone know wher I can find details about compression ratio, adjustment tips, ....