Putting a 337Flathead in a 52' F2
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Putting a 337Flathead in a 52' F2
I have a question for anyone who could help me out. I just recently found a 52' F2 to do a frame up resto with my dad. It has no engine but does have the transmission. The same guy im buying the truck from has an F7 with a 337flathead in it. I know the weight differences but am curious to know if it will fit in the engine compartment and if the front end and frame will take the weight. I can cut and weld very well so mounts and brackets arent a big deal if they need moved. I just like the idea of the big engine. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
The engine compartment is the same size in any of the 48-52 trucks, so if the 337 fits in an F7 (and obviously it does), it'll fit in an F2. The F2 frame is heavier duty than the F1, so I have no doubt it'll hold the weight. People routinely put big blocks and auto trannies in them, which will weigh at least as much as the big Lincoln-based engine, with no issues. You said you feel comfortable making custom mounts, so that end is taken care of. The only thing left will be the difficulty of finding parts for the big motor. They're just not as plentiful or popular as the Ford versions, so if you need parts, be prepared to open your wallet extra wide.
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From: denver
Yea! Alwright! (Loud, obnoxious) whistle!
Clap, clap, clap.
I love that someone is doing this. A man after my own heart!
I've actually lost sleep at night thinking about this move myself. I have a nice, rebuilt, excellent running 337 that I have heard run on a test stand, and I'm addicted! Only thing is, my F-2 has a great-sounding, great running 8BA under the hood and I can't bear to remove it. Keep us posted, please, on how this goes, and again, congratulations. Do it!..slim
Clap, clap, clap.
I love that someone is doing this. A man after my own heart!
I've actually lost sleep at night thinking about this move myself. I have a nice, rebuilt, excellent running 337 that I have heard run on a test stand, and I'm addicted! Only thing is, my F-2 has a great-sounding, great running 8BA under the hood and I can't bear to remove it. Keep us posted, please, on how this goes, and again, congratulations. Do it!..slim
More Turbo
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From: parma
If the F7 is a complete tuck, make sure you get the bellhousing and tranny with it too. All those parts will probably be different. The bellhousing will be the back motor mounts, and the front probably will be a plate bolted to the block under the crankshaft. You might want the crossmember holding the F7 bellhousing, that will be a bigger diameter also and you can fab it to your frame.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The biggest problems I can see with this swap is, as mentioned, parts are hard to find for the 337. The truck engine isn't exactly like the Lincoln engine, it's built for hauling, not racing so you might end up with a build that has added weight for no additional benefit. Second, the transmission in the F-7 is a heavy unit with low gearing, again made for pulling, and is heavy so you definitely won't get any additional benefit in using it. If you do go with the swap, grab the radiator, the big truck have a larger radiator.
Contact Chuck Mantiglia, Chucks Trucks LLC., , he's a board member with a couple of the big trucks and M-H conversions, he can set you straight on whether this would be a good swap.
Other than the above, it would make for a good conversation piece at the local cruise in. Flatties as a whole, IMO, are pretty useless engines other than for nostalgic reasons. They don't have much power and are at times tempermental along with the over heating problems but they sure sound cool. I would never change the flattie in my panel truck, I love the mellow rumbling it's developing since the cherry bombs have started to rot out.
Contact Chuck Mantiglia, Chucks Trucks LLC., , he's a board member with a couple of the big trucks and M-H conversions, he can set you straight on whether this would be a good swap.
Other than the above, it would make for a good conversation piece at the local cruise in. Flatties as a whole, IMO, are pretty useless engines other than for nostalgic reasons. They don't have much power and are at times tempermental along with the over heating problems but they sure sound cool. I would never change the flattie in my panel truck, I love the mellow rumbling it's developing since the cherry bombs have started to rot out.
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From: Crossville, Tn
What kind of shape is the F7 in?? These things are so rare and hard to find, it would be a sin to cut one up just for the motor. The F2 may have a heavier frame than the F1, but it is still a very lightweight truck and a far cry from that of even an F4. The F7 is way heavier built than an F2. Kinda like comparing a Ford Ranger with and F650.
Wayne, are you sure about the engine compartment being the same size? I know it is in the F1-F6, but there must be a reason that the entire doghouse of the F7 and F8 are WIDER than all the rest.
HMAGS13, hopefully Chuck will come along and advise you.
Wayne, are you sure about the engine compartment being the same size? I know it is in the F1-F6, but there must be a reason that the entire doghouse of the F7 and F8 are WIDER than all the rest.
HMAGS13, hopefully Chuck will come along and advise you.
More Turbo
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From: parma
I haven't dealt with the flattie truck motors, but i bet if you can find lincoln parts, you can find them for the truck version. The truck 337 is just a de-compressed version of a car motor, plus it probably has a dropped forged crank compared to the cars cast iron unit. Same block and bell pattern. Same main and connecting rod bearings, same gaskets. If he can find a Lincoln with a 337 and the overdrive unit, that will bolt up also. But, since this unit is right there available, why not??? Who said he was building a hot rod? Maybe he wants to cruise, and haul something sometimes. A truck 5 speed gives an extra gear if he wants to pull a trailer. If it has a 4 speed, it might be a T-98. Not as heavy as a clark tranny.
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Putting a 337Flathead in a 52' F2
Thanks for everything so far. I wasn't planning on using the tranny that is in the F2 knowing that it would be to small but the 337 engine I am looking at getting has the tranny still bolted to it. I never thought of using the crossmember out of the F7. I'm not so much looking for high end but like the idea of a powerful truck with a good look thats why I am so interested in the bigger motor in the F2. Thank you guys again these old flatheads are all new to me.
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More Turbo
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From: parma
Good point about the front being bigger. However, I think the width has to do with bigger axles and capacity, and not so much the engine bay. It is also a good point about the shape the F7 might be in. Is it restorable to start?
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The Motor ran like a top about 2 years ago so I'm not concerned about it not starting for me and plan to tear it all down and clean it all up and add some new paint (Which I would like to find out the origional colors). But no i am not sure of the 4 or 5 speed and probably won't until I would get the engine and tranny out.
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
This is a bit of a strange thread, most times, probably every time, a poster wants to upgrade a truck for better speed and handling, making their F-2/F-3 into a F-1 with light suspensions and modern, more powerful engines,this post is just the opposite. Most people would consider a F-2 a monster of a truck that rides like a buck board and can't get out of it's own way, I know, I drive a total stock F-2. You guys want to install a bigger, heavier engine with a big transmission to get a truck that can haul an even larger load? As stated the F-7 has a beefier frame than the F-2, you're not going to much of a hauling advantage by installing a monster engine. The F-2 has a weight limit.
BTW, I don't think the engine compartment ofn a F-7 is any bigger than the other models. The hoods are the same so I would assume the foot print under it is the same. The engine bay is slightly longer. If you look at the filler piece above the grill it sticks out farther the the F-6 and smaller models. I think the engine might be slightly longer, front to back, but I know the radiator is thicker.
BTW, I don't think the engine compartment ofn a F-7 is any bigger than the other models. The hoods are the same so I would assume the foot print under it is the same. The engine bay is slightly longer. If you look at the filler piece above the grill it sticks out farther the the F-6 and smaller models. I think the engine might be slightly longer, front to back, but I know the radiator is thicker.