So I found a flathead...

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Mar 26, 2023 | 07:01 PM

yellow truck

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 960

Likes: 10

From: Victoria (North Saanich)

So I found a flathead...

I normally hang out at the bumpside or FE forums, since I have a '69 F100 and I built a 445 FE for it, but I recently bought a new property and it came with a late flathead.

I've started to tear it down to see how salvageable it is and so far it doesn't look terrible (although it had been left out side on Vancouver Island without most of the sparkplugs).

What I'm wondering about is what is the best flathead forum for advice and information when thinking about a build? I found the fepower dot net forum to be excellent with the FE. I assume there is something similar for fans of the flathead.

Mar 26, 2023 | 07:05 PM

bobj49f2

Hotshot

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 16,873

Likes: 3,113

From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

The Ford Barn is a great site for flatheads specifically but there is a lot of knowledge on this board. Post pictures and I'm sure there be quite a few guys willing to offer help.

BTW, https://www.fordbarn.com/

Mar 26, 2023 | 07:20 PM

Klawockvet

Cross-Country

Joined: Nov 2020

Posts: 51

Likes: 23

From: Klawock, AK & Lewis, CO

The HAMB has some very knowledgeable flathead people as well.

Mar 26, 2023 | 08:15 PM

abe

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 25,347

Likes: 5,372

From: Central PA

And we have a lot of experienced knowledgeable flathead lovers here. And I am not one of them. LOL

After giving us some numbers from the block and some pictures these guys here can tell you the year.

Mar 26, 2023 | 08:35 PM

yellow truck

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 960

Likes: 10

From: Victoria (North Saanich)

Thank you. I will post some pictures here as I get deeper into it. So far it is just a dirty mess with a lot of rust in the bores, and the bottom end is full of goopy oil sludge, but it doesn't seem to have any rust so the crank may be salvageable.

Mar 26, 2023 | 11:17 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,287

Likes: 1,052

From: NM

Pull the intake manifold and look at the valves and lifters. If it was left open to the elements, they are likely all rusted in place.

Mar 27, 2023 | 04:37 PM

1952henry

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,191

Likes: 349

From: Mandan, ND

If pistons are stuck, don’t go too wild trying to bash them out. Could end up ruining a cylinder wall. Be a real bummer if there were no noticeable cracks. Take your time with valves and guides. Soak them well with some good penetrating oil like FreeAll.

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Mar 27, 2023 | 05:01 PM

52 Merc

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 16,149

Likes: 4,749

From: Burbank, WA

Ford flathead engines may look all alike to the untrained eye. There are at least 3 different variations of the standard "Ford V8" that were major improvements from each other, with very little interchangeability between. Major groups are 32-37, 38-48, and 49-53. The early engines have 21 head studs and have water pumps bolted to the front of the head. The second group is easily identified by 24 head studs, water pumps now mounted to the front of the block, and the upper radiator hoses connecting to the center of the head. The final group and most refined was the 49-53 version. Typically the heads will be marked with 8BA, although you might also find 8RT or EAB. The rad hoses were moved to the front end of the head and it has a conventional looking distributor poking out of the right front. There are also Mercury versions, but they say Mercury on them and since you didn't mention that, we'll assume what you have is actually a Ford.