I'm new to the site and I have a question. I just bought a 55 F-7 towtruck that has a v-8 engine. would this still be a flat head motor or maybe a OHV motor? Thanks.

 

That should be a y-block and probably one of the bigger truck engines. Of course this is assuming it is still the original engine!

 

Post a picture or get the number off the block by the distributer. It will not be a flathead or you would have known right off. Ed

 

Factory engine would be a 279 or 317 if it is a F-700. This is a Lincolyn style Y Block. It could also heve been upgraded with a 302/332 which came out in 56 and were also Lincoln style.
That block series continued until the FT came out in 64 as 330/361/391.

 

Thanks everyone. The only reason I asked is that I have yet to even see the truck. I just bought it and am getting it this weekend. Thanks again.

 

Your best bet is to take a peek at the data plate... The first set of numbers in the upper left corner should read F70, then the original engine symbol which will be a J if it is a 279, a K if it is a 317, or it may have a Z for a 256.

The 256 was placed in the 55 as well as the larger engines, but if it came off the line as a special order to be futher built as a tow truck, I'd suspect it has the 279 or the 317.

In the bottom right corner of the data plate, see if a DSO (Domestic Special Code) number is present - if so, then I'd say it was a special order intended to be a tow truck with the larger engine - if not, then it could have been coverted at some point in time and may have the 256.

Purchase the shop manual - with that, you'll know for certain!