how do you id a flathead ?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 6
From: WEWAHITCHKA FL.
how do you id a flathead ?
I never even made it home with it but would like to know what these number mean. Head had EAB on them/intake had 8BA-8RT 8520 /Back of the block had 31841.4 [i think] / water pump had 8RT-8503-B Will any of these numbers tell you what year it is ??????
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 1
From: Jamestown, IN
EAB were 53 engines that had the 110 horse cam. 8BA was a typical 49-52 car engines a lot of them made their way into the trucks. 8RT was a truck engine. 52-53. I am not sure if they were put into the 48-50s.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,188
Likes: 4,794
From: Burbank, WA
I have a theory, based solely on the fact that I own one and have seen a few others the same way, and sounds logical inside my peabrain, that when 8BA's were sent off for remanufacturing as core engines when replaced, the heads were replaced as a matter of course with the current production pieces, which after 1953 would have been the EAB part. My 1951 date coded engine removed from some kind of larger truck came to me with EAB heads on it. Feel free to debunk or agree at will. ;-)
Dale, for finding your engine's birthday, check out this link. The casting numbers you found won't do that.
birthday
Dale, for finding your engine's birthday, check out this link. The casting numbers you found won't do that.
birthday
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
In the 63 years since the "Modern" Flatmotor appeared they have become to resemble McDonald's Chicken Nuggets - They have been taken apart scrambled around and squeezed back together as a working Flathead
I'm not sure that if I found a pristine zero mile V8 Ford from that era that I would completely believe it was "Original"
I'm not sure that if I found a pristine zero mile V8 Ford from that era that I would completely believe it was "Original"
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
mine is a 52 block .... i.e. a factory rebuild as all casting numbers other than strange symbols , exist , and when it goes back together it will be a hodge podge of the best oe parts and a couple of gm pieces , that i can find . in other words like dick said ain't no such thing as an all oe flatty ................................
( untouched but cleaned up short block , .010 milled eab heads for more compression , merc intake , rochester 2 jet , gm points dizzy converted too electronic , 8cm merc cam , blah , blah , blah ... and it's all " stock " 
)
( untouched but cleaned up short block , .010 milled eab heads for more compression , merc intake , rochester 2 jet , gm points dizzy converted too electronic , 8cm merc cam , blah , blah , blah ... and it's all " stock " )
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Wayne, I don't think they replaced a lot of stuff with new, I think the shops had pallets of cleaned/machined heads and just slapped a set of matching heads on when an engine came in for reman. The differences between 8BA 8RT and EAB heads aren't really noticeable on the street IMO, the differences in the blocks are truly minor. I've heard many stories about taking a well-used but running engine out of the family car to keep a truck on the road.
The engine in my truck as it came to me is a ('51) 1BA block, with EAB crank and heads, Merc oil pan, 8RT intake, and twin narrow belts (car setup). Scrambled up as Dick says. There's no real reason to get wound up on what exact year or model a flatty is, if it runs just enjoy it!
The engine in my truck as it came to me is a ('51) 1BA block, with EAB crank and heads, Merc oil pan, 8RT intake, and twin narrow belts (car setup). Scrambled up as Dick says. There's no real reason to get wound up on what exact year or model a flatty is, if it runs just enjoy it!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 84
From: Utah
Speaking of rebuilt flatheads, I have had and seen a few "rebuilt" flatheads that have had the 8BA, EAB, or 8RT etc ground off of the heads.
The first one I saw like this had one head with smooth casting and the other with a smoother casting. makes me wonder if they were different heads altogether?? the rebuilt engine in the 53 C600 has the numbers/letters ground off as well.
The first one I saw like this had one head with smooth casting and the other with a smoother casting. makes me wonder if they were different heads altogether?? the rebuilt engine in the 53 C600 has the numbers/letters ground off as well.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
My "EAB" heads had the casting #'s ground off. I only know that's what they were because I took time to cc them. Plus the rebuilt engine they came from had an EAB crank.
Has anyone ever seen an intake that was marked anything BUT 8BA/8RT 6520? From what I've seen that casting number was used from 48 thru 53 on Ford cars and trucks.
The only variation Ford used was the merc intake for the teapot carb with 4 bolts.
Has anyone ever seen an intake that was marked anything BUT 8BA/8RT 6520? From what I've seen that casting number was used from 48 thru 53 on Ford cars and trucks.
The only variation Ford used was the merc intake for the teapot carb with 4 bolts.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
My "EAB" heads had the casting #'s ground off. I only know that's what they were because I took time to cc them. Plus the rebuilt engine they came from had an EAB crank.
Has anyone ever seen an intake that was marked anything BUT 8BA/8RT 6520? From what I've seen that casting number was used from 48 thru 53 on Ford cars and trucks.
The only variation Ford used was the merc intake for the teapot carb with 4 bolts.
Has anyone ever seen an intake that was marked anything BUT 8BA/8RT 6520? From what I've seen that casting number was used from 48 thru 53 on Ford cars and trucks.
The only variation Ford used was the merc intake for the teapot carb with 4 bolts.
