Technical finned flathead ford

hi i have a 1952 f1 truck with the original 239 that i rebuilt to stock 15 years ago and runs like a top,since then i have been collecting real 50s vintage speed parts ,and have quite a pile,highrise 3x2 fenton intake and all other combinations from offy,weiand,edmonds,ect. ect.i have a N.O.S set of beautiful gleaming weiand finned heads that are for a 59a center spigot, now i know that these heads can be used on my later 8ba block but i dont remember what water p***age you have to tap and plug, i do know that you have to use a 8ba head gasket ,does anybody know what i have to plug to get these beauties to work. anyboby done this before? any problems? or warnings? or happy endings.
Ralph (oldford****)

 

Dont have a clue but I'll give you a bump for good luck.

 

I am hoping someone that has done it will give some guidance but until then here is what I have read.

Compare the gasket with the head and you will find the holes to plug. They are at the front of the motor. The head doesn't cover the hole in the block. One hole on each side.

Neal

 

The holes to be plugged are in the front of the block. On the driver side it is under the head and on the p***enger side it is not under the head but in front of it. I'm sure there are diagrams that can be Googled or one of the Jalopy Journal rescue team will chime in.

 

The guys on the fordbarn.com can tell you.

 

Thanks people the answers are starting to jog my memory would still like to hear from someone who has done it and see if they came across any problems, any tips or tweeks.
flatheads and fords forever

 

lay the gasket on the block and you will see the hole that is only partially covered

 

You need to use the 59AB head gasket when installing the early (pre-49) heads permanently on an 8BA block.
When you place the early head gasket on the block you can tell right away which holes need to be plugged. I don't remember exactly which holes need to be blocked but it's easy to tell once you place the 59ab gasket on the block. You also have to make a spacer of some type so that you can reinstall the 8BA distributor at the same height that it originally was with the 8BA heads. Otherwise the distributor and cam gear won't mess properly. I made an aluminum collar with a set screw, but i think there are other options. Read all this , including the links.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/flathead-ford-guys-59ab-8ba-what-would-you-do.215174/ Also read this:
http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9746
Also make sure that the top tank radiator hose inlets are the same dia. as your early heads.

 

thanks for the great info and the links, man am i glad you took the time to help, i never even considerd the spacer for the dist. Thanks to all!!!!

 

oldford****, I made a typo error in my previous post. Please notice that it now reads , " but it's easy to see once you place the 59ab gasket on the block."

 

I did catch that 19Fordy thanks for getting back,i am not always on the ball

Ralph(oldford****)

 

From the Ford Barn http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66829
Pic is a '51 Merc with early heads and crab distributor. Hole can be seen using early gasket. On the op side, a hole is plugged too, just under head..

 

That hole in the above photo is for the hold down clamp screw for the 8BA 49-53 style distributor.