Hello, I have this flathead motor and I thought it was going to be an 8BA or 8RT. It is probably not. I have struggled to decipher the casting number and can't seem to do it. I have looked on other websites to see if anything was close, no luck. It looks like an 8 or B space and then a 2, followed by a 9 or G, then a 3? The link shows the pictures through a mirror so they are backwards. Anyone have any ideas? Notice the cylinders look sleeved and I believe the exhaust valve seats are hardened. Even the area where the date is supposed to be is a mystery, at least not decipherable by me. Any help is appreciated. Thanks! http://picasaweb.google.com/joptaylo/Flathead
Check this site ... http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm On the left in the green box, there is a list of things to check. Note at the top of the box is one called "Drawings." That should help.
Does the engine have a half bellhousing cast into the rear of the block? Did you have heads bolted on there when you got the engine?
Those back of the block small numbers are just foundry code, not model designations, and few engines actually have the date stamps some books call for.
Take a picture of the whole head area - so we can see everything. Also - if it has a cast-in upper bell housing, then are there any raised casting numbers on the top of the bell housing -- like 59xx. Also - measure the bore and let us know what it is. From just looking at the valves and seeing that it is sleeved -- and if ALL cylinders are sleeved, then without seeing the pictures above, I'm going to make a wild-ass guess that is is an early 59x motor with factory sleeved bores -- with a reaulting 3 1/16 bore. Now that is a guess boys! Post some more pictures . . . this really should be easy! Dale
Most, nearly all, sleeved engines are pre-59 even, like 1939-40...is this a late engine?? If so, sleeves would be very odd.
Well, I looked at the other bank of cylinders and they do not appear to be sleeved. Oddly I think all 4 on the apssenger side have been. There does not appear to be a bellhousing. I added a few more pictures. Seems to be a liitle bit more than 3 1/4 inch bore (w/ 40 over pistons). I know not very precise. Stroke seems to be 3 3/4. The intake that was on it was an 8BA/8RT and the motor is dark green, which doesn't mean much as it is obviously cobbled together. Thanks again for the help.
Thanks for the update - my wild ass guess was off by about 10 years! This is a 49-53 Ford/Merc block (they are basically the same). From the looks of the water pumps, this is probably an 8RT ( wide belt pumps ). It also has adjustable lifters - which is cool, as you can probably use them again. The bore you measured is about right for a 3 3/16 + .040. You can easily bore this block to 3 5/16, put in a Merc 4" crank and you'll have about 276 cubes - nice size motor for the street. With a 3 5/16 bore, you can also bore it at least a couple more times ( in most cases ). Make sure you have the block hot-tanked and magged before putting any money into it. If you're going to go to a large overbore 1/8"+, then you should also have it sonic tested to understand the cyl wall thickness and identify any potential core shift. Looks like you're on your way to some fun . . . keep us posted and if you need any tips, let me know. Dale
Great info! Thanks, I was just driving myself crazy looking for a code. I know a place that shakes and bakes castings. Is that a good idea for a flathead? San Antonio is pretty strict on the solution used in hot tanks, I usually get parts back that look almost no better than when I dropped them off (except baking, they look like new). I look forward to tearing into and rebuilding this motor over the next few months. Thanks again, to everyone.
The Jalopy Journal
