French Flatheads
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 890
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From: New York
French Flatheads
I was just looking at some pictures on www.35pickup.com of some French Ford flatheads ... produced for the military up into the 1980's, supposedly. So that got me thinking.
Is it possible to get your hands on one of these motors? Are they an economically viable source for a young flathead? And are they the same as American flatheads, i.e. performance parts will bolt on and fit?
Is it possible to get your hands on one of these motors? Are they an economically viable source for a young flathead? And are they the same as American flatheads, i.e. performance parts will bolt on and fit?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 1
From: West London, England
These motors still come up over here from time to time a lot of the new blocks were bought up and shipped to the US
They are not the same as the American motors, they are like a 8BA but with the old style cast in bell housing
There is some good information on them here www.reds-headers.com/html/ffh.htm
Stephen
They are not the same as the American motors, they are like a 8BA but with the old style cast in bell housing
There is some good information on them here www.reds-headers.com/html/ffh.htm
Stephen
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: SANTA ROSA, CA
The French flatheads are indeed a composite configuration of the domestic 59AB and the 8BA blocks. They are a significant improvement over domestic blocks with thicker decks, thicker front bulkheads, thicker center main-bearing web, plus outstanding casting quality with higher nickel content.
They accept domestic aftermarket speed equipment and can be run as-is, although the valve bowls need some serious work for any duty other than work-truck applications; the bowls have large cast-in ridges designed for low-end performance, and these obstruct flow at the upper performance levels.
I’ve ported and modified eight of these blocks so far (have another one to do next week), and they are as perfect as one could hope for a flathead block.
BTW, we're just entering into negotiations for importing a fresh batch of complete 3-3/4 inch and 4-inch French "crate motors."
Mike Bishop
They accept domestic aftermarket speed equipment and can be run as-is, although the valve bowls need some serious work for any duty other than work-truck applications; the bowls have large cast-in ridges designed for low-end performance, and these obstruct flow at the upper performance levels.
I’ve ported and modified eight of these blocks so far (have another one to do next week), and they are as perfect as one could hope for a flathead block.
BTW, we're just entering into negotiations for importing a fresh batch of complete 3-3/4 inch and 4-inch French "crate motors."
Mike Bishop
Last edited by av8ford; Nov 19, 2005 at 05:48 PM.
