How dare they? 
(I finally got to use those smilies!) 
Who'da thunk? METRIC!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Lewisville, NC
Who'da thunk? METRIC!
Replaced the cylinder heads on my '53 V8 239 flathead with a pair of NOS heads from Carpenter's. Noticed one head was made in Canada but didn't think much of it...
It fit fine and torqued down fine and all was well until I went to bolt on the distributor hold down. 1/4" was too small, thread was fine and 5/16" was too big! Just for grins, I tried a 7mm x 1.00 tap and it was perfect. Water outlets and coil bracket also metric. 1953. Huh.
On another note, I got a set of Victor Reinz gaskets from NAPA for the beast and many of the gaskets say Felpro on them, including the head gaskets. I had heard that they were made in the same factory, but it may go further than that. But youse guys probably already knew that...
It fit fine and torqued down fine and all was well until I went to bolt on the distributor hold down. 1/4" was too small, thread was fine and 5/16" was too big! Just for grins, I tried a 7mm x 1.00 tap and it was perfect. Water outlets and coil bracket also metric. 1953. Huh.
On another note, I got a set of Victor Reinz gaskets from NAPA for the beast and many of the gaskets say Felpro on them, including the head gaskets. I had heard that they were made in the same factory, but it may go further than that. But youse guys probably already knew that...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
Something very strange there, the Canadians built engines for Australia/NZ and South Africa and they were not metric weenies until modern days.
Ive no use for Carpenters stuff and wouldnt be a bit suprised if the Canada means China! Been burnt by his crap too many times.
Post again specifically looking for Canadians to get some first hand facts..
Ive no use for Carpenters stuff and wouldnt be a bit suprised if the Canada means China! Been burnt by his crap too many times.
Post again specifically looking for Canadians to get some first hand facts..
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, Indiana
I think out Boot in your A$@ attitude may have run any Canadians away from this thread, How about this, Last night I found out that my new Alternator has a Metric nut on the wire post 
That means I now have to pull out the Metrics for one stinking Nut.
Kyle
That means I now have to pull out the Metrics for one stinking Nut.Kyle
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
The big news a few years ago was that someone found a stash of brand new flathead Ford engines in France. They were used for their military vehicles for quite a while after we quit using flatheads. There were some changes made over the years. Some American rodders bought the whole lot and brought them back here. I wonder if yours is from that collection?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
I have 6 flathead V-8 heads made in Canada and they are all SAE. Metric wasn't common place up here till the mid 70's. Now you guys messed up the imperial system. There is British and American measurements! 
(I'm just bugging you)
(I'm just bugging you)
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
Nathan’s correct. We didn’t go metric until sometime in the 70s. Part of the rational at the time was that since the US was planning on doing it as well, it made sense. Well you didn’t but we had already started putting it into play and now all measurements no longer make sense to any Cdn over 40 yrs of age….temperature, weight, distance……
And no, the initial post didn’t scare off/alienate any Cdns from this post. It take’s more than that to offend us. We were too busy converting Metric to Imperial in our minds…..
And no, the initial post didn’t scare off/alienate any Cdns from this post. It take’s more than that to offend us. We were too busy converting Metric to Imperial in our minds…..
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Too old to change - I am still Imperial - SAE - not the car. I am a proud Canadian that refuses to change to metric - unless I have to use it. As a machinist I have been known to drill and tap metric to Imperial for peace of mind. And the brotherhood of FORD TRUCK owners is strong enough not to have any hard feelings between borders as there are no borders when it comes to the appreciation of FORD TRUCKS.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,594
Likes: 2,008
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Originally Posted by little tow
Too old to change. I am a proud Canadian that refuses to change to metric - unless I have to use it. And the brotherhood of FORD TRUCK owners is strong enough not to have any hard feelings between borders as there are no borders when it comes to the appreciation of FORD TRUCKS.
The earliest I remember metric was from Japanese motorcycles. A french speaking Canadian past Prime Minister ramed it down our throats. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
My wife is a Newfie. Her grandparents died refusing to acknowledge the Confederation vote of 1949! To them they were still an independent country or would someday join the USA.
I can just imagine their reaction to Metrics.
The French flatheads were all built there to my knowledge and the castings are quite different.
Im thinking now that those threads are British Imperial/Standard left over from South African production and not Metric. The UK built their own engines.
Maybe SteveB will read this thread and respond, his 54 F100 was assembled in South Africa and has a 255 Merc flatty in it from Canada.
I can just imagine their reaction to Metrics.
The French flatheads were all built there to my knowledge and the castings are quite different.
Im thinking now that those threads are British Imperial/Standard left over from South African production and not Metric. The UK built their own engines.
Maybe SteveB will read this thread and respond, his 54 F100 was assembled in South Africa and has a 255 Merc flatty in it from Canada.