how do you id a flathead ?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Generically, it's an 8BA block, used from 48-53 in trucks, 49-53 in cars. It appears to have been "relieved", i.e., the part of the deck between the cylinders and the valves has been ground down to improve flow. Do you have any history on the engine? It is exceptionally clean, appears someone spent some time grinding the deck water holes smooth.
Have you had it checked for cracks?
If you got valves and springs with it, a picture of a set would further define the specific years.
PS -- are those pennies in the center holes on the intake deck?
Have you had it checked for cracks?
If you got valves and springs with it, a picture of a set would further define the specific years.
PS -- are those pennies in the center holes on the intake deck?
New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Generically, it's an 8BA block, used from 48-53 in trucks, 49-53 in cars. It appears to have been "relieved", i.e., the part of the deck between the cylinders and the valves has been ground down to improve flow. Do you have any history on the engine? It is exceptionally clean, appears someone spent some time grinding the deck water holes smooth.
Have you had it checked for cracks?
Have you had it checked for cracks?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
If you are just going to build it to sell it, I think you're taking a big risk. You'd likely make more selling it as a "guaranteed" crack-free block with the rest of the major components. Sell the 3x2 manifold, heads, and other goodies separately or as a package deal. The crab distributor won't work on this block without some adapters and aren't popular anyway.
Ebay is full of $5k -7k built flatheads. Unless it is built by a known builder and dyno-tested, I don't think there is a huge market for them that way.
Ebay is full of $5k -7k built flatheads. Unless it is built by a known builder and dyno-tested, I don't think there is a huge market for them that way.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
If you are just going to build it to sell it, I think you're taking a big risk. You'd likely make more selling it as a "guaranteed" crack-free block with the rest of the major components. Sell the 3x2 manifold, heads, and other goodies separately or as a package deal. The crab distributor won't work on this block without some adapters and aren't popular anyway.
Ebay is full of $5k -7k built flatheads. Unless it is built by a known builder and dyno-tested, I don't think there is a huge market for them that way.
Ebay is full of $5k -7k built flatheads. Unless it is built by a known builder and dyno-tested, I don't think there is a huge market for them that way.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Not knowing how familiar you are with flatheads, I'd say "yes" you can run the crab, "but...". You have to run the correct timing cover, cam, cam drive setup, and a few other tidbits to make it work. The 59-series cams put thrust in the opposite direction. Are the Offy heads 8BA style or 59-style (center outlet)?
New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Not knowing how familiar you are with flatheads, I'd say "yes" you can run the crab, "but...". You have to run the correct timing cover, cam, cam drive setup, and a few other tidbits to make it work. The 59-series cams put thrust in the opposite direction. Are the Offy heads 8BA style or 59-style (center outlet)?
New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I'm very new to this forum stuff. I'm just getting by on even posting on here. I was just lost on finding info on the stampings and figured I would try this as a last resort. I kind of figured this was a 8BA but wanted more knowledge. I really want to utilize everything I got from this guy for this motor. Kind of hoping I can use all these parts on it!
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey Desertob,
Welcome Aboard! It's nice to see someone saving another '50 F1.
You did a good job posting a lot of engine pics - we love pics here.
The next step that Ross is suggesting is to start your own Build Thread.
That's a good way to introduce your truck to the forum & get some more eyes on your build to offer advice as you progress with it. They are the most popular threads on here & it helps to see your whole truck & understand your plan.
If you think you might use the forum enough - I think it's $20 to join
& you get rid of most of the annoying advertising pop-up's & you get a
paperclip icon to post directly from your hard drive.
Looking good over there in Illinois.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Welcome Aboard! It's nice to see someone saving another '50 F1.
You did a good job posting a lot of engine pics - we love pics here.
The next step that Ross is suggesting is to start your own Build Thread.
That's a good way to introduce your truck to the forum & get some more eyes on your build to offer advice as you progress with it. They are the most popular threads on here & it helps to see your whole truck & understand your plan.
If you think you might use the forum enough - I think it's $20 to join
& you get rid of most of the annoying advertising pop-up's & you get a
paperclip icon to post directly from your hard drive.
Looking good over there in Illinois.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
New User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Hey Desertob,
Welcome Aboard! It's nice to see someone saving another '50 F1.
You did a good job posting a lot of engine pics - we love pics here.
The next step that Ross is suggesting is to start your own Build Thread.
That's a good way to introduce your truck to the forum & get some more eyes on your build to offer advice as you progress with it. They are the most popular threads on here & it helps to see your whole truck & understand your plan.
If you think you might use the forum enough - I think it's $20 to join
& you get rid of most of the annoying advertising pop-up's & you get a
paperclip icon to post directly from your hard drive.
Looking good over there in Illinois.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Welcome Aboard! It's nice to see someone saving another '50 F1.
You did a good job posting a lot of engine pics - we love pics here.
The next step that Ross is suggesting is to start your own Build Thread.
That's a good way to introduce your truck to the forum & get some more eyes on your build to offer advice as you progress with it. They are the most popular threads on here & it helps to see your whole truck & understand your plan.
If you think you might use the forum enough - I think it's $20 to join
& you get rid of most of the annoying advertising pop-up's & you get a
paperclip icon to post directly from your hard drive.
Looking good over there in Illinois.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Thanks a lot Ben for the welcome note. I think I might need to do that. It is nice to have other knowledge and opinions on situations. I will try to join up tonight and get some pics up of my truck. It is a barn find original wisconsin truck.