FLathead 6 to Flathead 8 conversion
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FLathead 6 to Flathead 8 conversion
Well I bought this fantastic 1948 ford F2. It looked great but didnt run so well when I picked it up. After some diagnosing I found a nice little crack in the side of the Flathead 6Cyl. block. Luckily, I have a completely rotted out 1948 ford F2 with a recently rebuilt 8Cyl flathead in it and figured I would just pull out the 6cyl in the new truck and put the V8 flathead from the old into the new. I was wondering if any body could tell me what I'm up against and what some of the changes other than the engine may be?
Thanks
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,292
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From: NM
Welcome to the forum!
This is a pretty easy swap, because Henry designed it to be. The battery trays are different (on opposite sides), exhaust will be different to a point (just the front parts), you'll need to move the radiator to the rear mounting points (already there) and get a V8 radiator, but most everything else should just bolt up.
This is a pretty easy swap, because Henry designed it to be. The battery trays are different (on opposite sides), exhaust will be different to a point (just the front parts), you'll need to move the radiator to the rear mounting points (already there) and get a V8 radiator, but most everything else should just bolt up.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
There's a few other small items;
When you move the radiator back you will also have to move the braces under the front of the fenders back (they all bolt through the same holes).
The lower valance between the grill and the radiator as well as the lower sheet metal pan under the front of the engine (if your truck still has this....they are usually long gone)
The air deflector inside the hood that meets the radiator is different between the 6cyl and the 8cyl.
I think the best option would be to find a V8 radiator, mount it in the 6cyl location and just extend the radiator hoses a little bit....leave everything else in its place. It would take a sharp eye to really notice it.
Go for it
Bobby
When you move the radiator back you will also have to move the braces under the front of the fenders back (they all bolt through the same holes).
The lower valance between the grill and the radiator as well as the lower sheet metal pan under the front of the engine (if your truck still has this....they are usually long gone)
The air deflector inside the hood that meets the radiator is different between the 6cyl and the 8cyl.
I think the best option would be to find a V8 radiator, mount it in the 6cyl location and just extend the radiator hoses a little bit....leave everything else in its place. It would take a sharp eye to really notice it.
Go for it
Bobby
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
You also will have to relocate the starter solenoid. By doing so you will have to either extend the control wires or buy a V8 specific wiring harness if you're going with a stock, reproduction wiring harness. You will have to use a shorter battery to starter cable.
Along with moving the radiator closer to the engine you have to replace the air dam in the hood, over the radiator. The V8 is wider than the six. The gravel pan under the radiator is also different, I think. The fuel line will also have to be rerouted.
You should have all of the parts you need from your rot bucket truck. Like Ross said, it isn't that hard at all.
Along with moving the radiator closer to the engine you have to replace the air dam in the hood, over the radiator. The V8 is wider than the six. The gravel pan under the radiator is also different, I think. The fuel line will also have to be rerouted.
You should have all of the parts you need from your rot bucket truck. Like Ross said, it isn't that hard at all.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,882
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The question I got from his post is he has all of the nessecary parts on the parts truck, he just wanted to know how hard it would be to do. These trucks are so simple to work on, not like the ones they make today. I wish everything was as easy.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,989
Likes: 9,853
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Good point Bob. I hadn't considered that.
Yup, overall it should be pretty easy. The flathead V8 is definatley a classy engine but I think that the 6 is a better engine overall. Its only 5hp less and doesn't have the same cooling and cracking problems as the 8's. Of course, it doesn't have the sex appeal either....oh well, I guess you can't have everything
Bobby
Yup, overall it should be pretty easy. The flathead V8 is definatley a classy engine but I think that the 6 is a better engine overall. Its only 5hp less and doesn't have the same cooling and cracking problems as the 8's. Of course, it doesn't have the sex appeal either....oh well, I guess you can't have everything
Bobby
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Good point Bob. I hadn't considered that.
Yup, overall it should be pretty easy. The flathead V8 is definatley a classy engine but I think that the 6 is a better engine overall. Its only 5hp less and doesn't have the same cooling and cracking problems as the 8's. Of course, it doesn't have the sex appeal either....oh well, I guess you can't have everything
Bobby
Yup, overall it should be pretty easy. The flathead V8 is definatley a classy engine but I think that the 6 is a better engine overall. Its only 5hp less and doesn't have the same cooling and cracking problems as the 8's. Of course, it doesn't have the sex appeal either....oh well, I guess you can't have everything
Bobby
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I totally agree about the flat 6 being the better engine. The one I have in my F-2 has been used and abused and it keeps on ticking. I've only had a overheating problem once which I couldn't find the cause and haven't had one since. The flat 8's are a temperamental little princess but they're way cooler than the 6. I know there use to be hi-po parts available for the 6's and if you could still get them, I bet you could built a six that would our run, and outlast an 8. That all being said, the flat 8s sure have a sound of their own.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,989
Likes: 9,853
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Ross,
True, a visible crack in the outside water jacket is a bad thing and would be enough of an excuse for me to stuff a throbbing V8 into it.
Sometimes I regret getting rid of the 6 that came in my truck. It ended up in Michigan or Wisconsin somewhere. I sold the complete running engine and tranny for not much more than the price of shipping. This was before I found FTE, heck I was glad that it was going to someone that could use it. I hated the thought of it going to the dump.
Bobby
True, a visible crack in the outside water jacket is a bad thing and would be enough of an excuse for me to stuff a throbbing V8 into it.
Sometimes I regret getting rid of the 6 that came in my truck. It ended up in Michigan or Wisconsin somewhere. I sold the complete running engine and tranny for not much more than the price of shipping. This was before I found FTE, heck I was glad that it was going to someone that could use it. I hated the thought of it going to the dump.
Bobby