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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Why is it (flat 6)

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Old Mar 19, 2008 | 08:31 PM
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Question Why is it (flat 6)

that it seems like most all of the bigger 51 52 F 2-6 seem to all have the flat six in them? maybe it's just chance? I found a local 52 F-6 truck for sale it has the flat six, he says it ran a couple years ago but has been sitting since. he's asking $500 and says the body is pretty good condition.

My 51 f1 came with the flat six from the factory according to the vin # but I am still leaning towards finding a flathead v-8 for it (cheaper parts and more readily available, right?) I cant seem to find any specs on the 52 model flat six, everything I found ends at 51, is there a difference from 51 to 52? and are they the same size engine from the f-1 to the f-6.
thanks in advance
Josh
 
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Old Mar 19, 2008 | 08:37 PM
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The Flathead Six was a better pulling engine at low speeds.
 
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Old Mar 19, 2008 | 09:25 PM
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48-51 had the H series 226 ci flat six. 52 was the first year of the 215 ci OHV six. That's why you find the info stopping at '51.

Also trucks up thru F5 used the 226 ci six, but F6 used the M series 254 ci six
 
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Old Mar 19, 2008 | 10:27 PM
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Did ****** buy the rights to the 226 flat 6 after Ford quit using it? They started using a 226 in the earky 50's in the pickups and wagons, called it the Super Hurricane.
 
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Old Mar 19, 2008 | 10:40 PM
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****** had there on foundry for there engines blocks
 
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Old Mar 19, 2008 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by sandhillmike
Did ****** buy the rights to the 226 flat 6 after Ford quit using it? They started using a 226 in the earky 50's in the pickups and wagons, called it the Super Hurricane.
Interesting you should ask that! A friend just bought a '61 ****** pickup with the Hurricane 6 and gave me a ride in it. It looks a lot like the Ford 6 to me! And the brake/clutch pedals, steering column, all kinds of bits and pieces are dead ringers for Bonus Built Ford items. ****** was the master of cheap, it wouldn't surprise me if they at least copied the Ford flat-6.
 
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Old Mar 20, 2008 | 08:23 AM
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The flat V8 is a more popular engine but my personal opinion is the flat six is a lot better engine. The six is rated only 5hp less than the V8, it doesn't have the overheating problems that the V8 has and it's a lot sturdier, IMO. The six was also use in circle track racing. At one time there was a lot of hi-po parts availlable for the six.

I have a flat 6 in my '49 F-2 and I have beat the heck out of it and it keeps coming back for more. My dad originally bought my truck back in the late '60s for his auto repair business. He told me he wanted the six, with four speed, because it had better pulling torque than the V8.

I have two trucks with the flat 8 but really have had chance to use them yet. Worked on my '48 panel last summer chasing an overheating problem so I didn't get to drive it for any extended period of time so I don't know how it performs.
 
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