BIG flathead
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
Likes: 3,100
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
It didn't look like an older flattie to me but I don't know all that much about flatties. I knew the older ones had the integral trans bellhousing but I thought the older ones had the water returns in the middle of the heads. I am always learning something new.
This engine looks like a boat anchor to me but I bet someone will put up the big bucks for it. I'll keep an eye one it when it comes up for bids.
This engine looks like a boat anchor to me but I bet someone will put up the big bucks for it. I'll keep an eye one it when it comes up for bids.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,765
Likes: 547
From: Kalispell, MT
It's hard to count the studs/nuts, but I agree with Scott and Bill - garden variety Ford 21 studder, 221 ci, 32-36 (at least the heads are those years), without a picture of the oil pan and the front of the block it's hard to come closer.
They're not worth a whole lot IMHO unless it turns over and has shell bearings ('36 LB) or is a '37 replacement block and in that case it will have blockoff plates on the front where the water pumps would mount. I've got 2 or 3 sitting around here.
They're not worth a whole lot IMHO unless it turns over and has shell bearings ('36 LB) or is a '37 replacement block and in that case it will have blockoff plates on the front where the water pumps would mount. I've got 2 or 3 sitting around here.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,765
Likes: 547
From: Kalispell, MT
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
Actually it's the other way around. .......It was also decided that the 1949 Lincolns were too heavy for the V12, so the 337 cid flathead F-7 truck engine was substituted instead. Good choice, as those V12 engines were dogs.
Tim
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
Bob is right, if it is a 59AB, it has 8BA heads, and they look "funny" to me at the water outlets (may be part of the hose hanging on).
There's no mistaking a Caddy flathead for a Ford, see below. A nice solution to the heat from the exhaust getting into the water jackets... but a real possibility of severe burns!
There's no mistaking a Caddy flathead for a Ford, see below. A nice solution to the heat from the exhaust getting into the water jackets... but a real possibility of severe burns!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
It should be a 21 stud 33-36 ford flathead. (could be a 37 or 38 with the earlier head-if so it will have block off plates for the block mounted waterpumps). The intake manifold looks like 37 or 38. Either way the earlier 21 stud flatmotors are more sought after than the later motors except possibly the late mercury flatmotors (for the stroker crank). The most desirable is if it is an LB block. Most LB blocks (generally believed to be late 36) will be stamped in the front drivers side hoizontal machined surface with the letters LB. This means that it is the early 21 stud that takes insert main bearings rather than being babbited.
I should add that the cast iron heads (which it looks like in the photo) were used in truck application on those early 21 stud motors.
All that said as you know it is still a pig in a poke regarding potential cracking in the block.
Good luck at the auction
Note: In my past I was into the 30's flatheads
I should add that the cast iron heads (which it looks like in the photo) were used in truck application on those early 21 stud motors.
All that said as you know it is still a pig in a poke regarding potential cracking in the block.
Good luck at the auction
Note: In my past I was into the 30's flatheads
Last edited by 49willard; Mar 16, 2007 at 12:17 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
Originally Posted by bobj49f2
The flattie was a boat anchor, it was in a shed that smelled to racoon urine and was a solid chunk of rust.
I'm not interested in any flathead block that isn't tanked and mag'd and sitting right in front of me. Too many people think they're worth their weight in gold, regardless of condition. There are still plenty of "guaranteed good" blocks around at a reasonable price to mess with barn finds.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
Likes: 3,100
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Dick, I suppose you're right.
I didn't stick around to see what the flattie went for. The auction was a bust, mostly vintage toys, which I don't really care about. Dumptrkr and I stayed for a few minutes and decided to head out for another auction about 40 miles south but that one wasn't much better. It's early in the auction season and there's a better one coming up in May that I'm going to. Plus the swapmeets are starting up so I know Spring is finally coming, finally!
I didn't stick around to see what the flattie went for. The auction was a bust, mostly vintage toys, which I don't really care about. Dumptrkr and I stayed for a few minutes and decided to head out for another auction about 40 miles south but that one wasn't much better. It's early in the auction season and there's a better one coming up in May that I'm going to. Plus the swapmeets are starting up so I know Spring is finally coming, finally!
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