I just paid $100 for a running flathead for my 49' f-1.
It has EAC cast into the head which means it is a mercury right?
Did ford put 255's in the bigger trucks fom the factory?
It is out of a 1952 f-4.
I didn't check the stroke yet to verify if it is 4".

thanks,

John

76' f-100
49' f-1
52ish f-1

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Aug-02 AT 00:19 AM (EST)]EAC on the heads means it has 52/3 merc heads. Only way to verify you have a merc flatty is to pull a head and measure the stroke.

'52 F4's only had the 239 flathead as the V8 option. Not until you got to the BIG trucks did you have a different engine - then they were 279 (F7) and 317 (F8) OHV motors.

Swapping a merc motor into a farm truck for extra torque was fairly common. I picked one up from a 46 Ton 'n a half.

Check the passenger rear corner of the intake flat for an alhpa-numeric string of symbols that will tell you what year it was assembled. If it has been rebuilt, then all bets are off.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.....
Tim

 

I took the heads off tonight.
I am very happy to say that it does have a 4" stroke!
It is standard bore!
Everything looks great inside!
And there are no cracks between the cylinders!!!!!!!!!!!
I may even give my friend an extra $50 for giving me such a great engine for such a great price.

Now on to re-building it.

Also is ther any benifit in putting 8ba heads on it (ie. higher compression since the stroke is less on a 239) I have a set of off my other junk motor. Also if anyone wants the crankshaft out of the junk motor they can have it for very cheap since I don't need it now.


Thanks,

John

 

You might want to find a set of 8RT heads if it is a Canadian built Merc motor. They are the standard heads for Canadian Merc truck motors according to my 1950 Mercury truck owners manual.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Sep-02 AT 01:24 PM (EST)]I'm not sure if the 8BA heads will give a compression increase over the EAC heads. The '52/'53 car heads ( don't know the casting code ) would bump it up a little.