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I saw this at a customer's shop this week. I think it's the first flathead V8 marine engine I've seen so I thought I would share for all. Some obvious differences here.
That's an early 21 stud flathead used before 1938, so it will look a little different from the later engines we're more familiar with. There is 3 distinct versions of the Ford V8 we call the flathead, 32-38, 38-48 (47 in trucks), and 49-53 (48 in trucks).
I was at an antique boat show a couple years ago and there was a few flattie powered boats there.
I wonder why they take the prop shaft off the front snout? It's much weaker than the flywheel end.
I believe it's a rotation thing. Angle of the blades vs torque, etc. A boat expert could probably explain better, but that's all I know. That's why you have a lot of marine engines running a reverse rotation when installed conventionally.
I wonder why they take the prop shaft off the front snout? It's much weaker than the flywheel end.
it’s hard to tell from the pics, but it may not be off the front. Notice the chain going to the shaft? It may be there’s a transmission under the engine chain driven from the flywheel end.
I can throw in a couple more variations on flatheads
32-36 had water pumps on the heads, motor mount with a stub for lower hose connections. Bearings are babbitt except for 36 that used shell bearings. Babbitt is poured lead/antimony mix for those who aren't familiar.
37-38 had water pumps went to the lower front as in Marauder's picture above. Coolant returned to rad from head centers.
39-44ish (41 on - war years and little civilian production) Still 21 stud and 221 cid. Lots of running changes. Mercury went to 239 cid
45-48 59 AB 24 stud heads 239 cid coolant still returned to the radiator from the center of the heads.
48-53/54 US/CAN 24 bolt heads 239 cid Mercury engines 255 cid. Coolant returned to radiator from the front of the heads.
In addition to these 37- 40 Ford produced a V860 17 stud heads and 136 cid
This is from memory, you mileage may vary and feel free to critique it.
However if you use VanPelt as a source, know there used to be some serious (my opinion) omissions in his online data, especially on 48 trucks. His serial number info ignores 48 as distinct numbering.
A friend of mine had a boat with a V drive. The engine faced forward and a shaft coupling reversed the direction of the shaft. The transmission was either in front or under the engine, I can’t remember. I do remember that backing up it would always turn left, the rudder made no difference.
