Hot Rods Help identifying this flat head

I was given this flathead by a good friend but dont know what it was used for or if its a viable engine to use? Any help as far as what it is and how to convert it to a engine to be used would be immensely helpful...thanks!

 

Looks like one of those French military flatheads.

 

Yup. Late flatty on the front, early on the back, with some metric thrown in the middle.

 

I agree, that's what it looks like to me. These things have some interesting quirks but are very usable in a hot rod and are kinda neat for their history.

 

Guessing it was an industrial engine, 49-53 heads and timing cover so would think it's a 49-53 block. The bell housing should bolt on but can't tell from your pictures, pull the intake, funky oil pan and the bell housing and you should have an 8BA style short block. Should look something like this flathead that's in my V8 A.

 

Ooo la la. c'est français

 

So if I buy 8ba parts they should fit this engine?

 

Oui. Mart did a video about his french block and the changes he made to it. Worth a watch.

 

On youtube? You happen to know where that vid is at?

 

@Mart
That ought to do it.

 

Yes, check you tube under Mart's Garage. I think he has a few of the French engines. I think they have a governor that is driven from the rear of the block that you will want to do something about. Mart's garage goes through all that.

 

I would think they would but I learned it was a French flathead from the other answers, I've never messed with one of them. I didn't notice the oil pan was part of the bellhousing when I answered like the earlier flatheads, learn something every day on the HAMB.