Looking for info on swapping an EAB strato star engine into my 51 shoebox. From what I have seen online the only areas of concern about the swap maybe mating it up with the 51 tranny, weight and engine mounts, and the oil pan clearance Can anyone elaborate? Or tell me if this holds true and what I may need to watch out for?
I'm not familiar with the term "strato star", but the EAB flathead engine that came in '52-'53 Ford cars is basically the same as all '49-'53 flatheads, except for the heads. The blocks are the same, as well '51-'53 water pumps, but the center hump oil pans are not, and am pretty sure the '51 pan has to be used for crossmember/steering clearance. Simply use the '51 full stamped bell housing, flywheel, clutch, exhaust, etc, and you're done.
What is prompting you to make this swap? Is the existing engine worn out/not running? Are you looking for some performance gain? If the latter, there was only a 10 H.P. (advertised) difference-probably not worth the effort to change it. Swap the cylinder heads and achieve the same "gain".
Ford started calling its flathead "Strato-Star" in 1952. The EAB engines '52-'53 were "strato-stars" probably to make public think they were a new engine during a time when manufacturers were introducing OHV V-8s. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_specs-90to125late.htm
Dale Fairfax after much debate and trying to figure out what direction I was going to take with my build. I figured it would be best to get the car running and enjoy it for the summer vs. a long and pricey tear down a rebuild of the car and original 8ba engine, it would be better to swap a known good and running engine. Also being an eab I can steal the 4" merc crank and heads out of it come winter and have a stroker build for the 8ba.
EAB has a Ford 3 3/4" stroke, EAC has a '52-'53 Merc 4" stroke. You need to learn more about what you really have.
Sorry v8 bob, i got my info from vanpeltsales.com and must have read the spec sheet wrong, regardless it's still a running flathead. which i dont have with my 8ba. And i would have figured it out once i tore it down , i can still gets the head off it as well. from what i understand there the best flowing of stock flatheads. is that correct v8 bob or am i mistaken with that fact aswell?. thanks for the correction and information though
The EAB heads have the highest compression of any late stock heads. No need to be sorry. I understand how some of the flathead info can be a little confusing to someone new to these engines. Didn't mean to come across gruff.
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