Will A 59A Intake Work On A 8BA?

Will a 59A '39-'48 Flathead Ford intake work on a '49-'53 8BA? I've got a '51 block, but my project is calling for the earlier style. It took me too long to find the flathead I've got now, so I'm not much into finding a 59A. I know I can get the heads from a 59A to work on the block, but what about the intake? What are the complications (if any) to get the intake to work?

 

fuel pump rod length is the only difference to my knowledge.

 

So I would have to use the 59A pump rod then, right?

 

yes, its much shorter

 

Cool.

 

As I recall, either manifold will fit on either block, but the number of bolt holes is different. I can't recall which has the more, but you just put a bolt in the holes that line up and everything is good. The 8BA manifold has an oil fill tube and a road draft tube in the front. The 59A has neither. On it, oil fill is through the fuel pump stand and crankcase ventilation is via the fill cap in combination with a road draft "box" on the oil pan. In order to have a fill point for oil, you will need to use the 59A fuel pump stand. I don't know if this changes the fuel pump push rod that you will need or not. You will need to address the road draft issue, but seems like there is an issue in the valley regarding crankcase ventilation. Maybe use the 59A pan? Finally, I seem to recall that the generator and fan mounts may be different. Sorry that I don't have good solid answers, but I'm hoping to point out potential problems so that you can have the solutions worked out when you get there. Surely some of our flathead experts will get into this and correct any omissions or errors I have made.

 

You will have some empty holes, and the late block lacks any location dowels for the manifold (idiot costcutters!)
Manifold will be somewhere around 1" high OR 2" high at pump stand lication, for long and short early pushrods. Add a '48 pushrod bushing inside the 8BA bushing to adapt.
The oil filler on FP stand is the inlet for crankcase vent system...you now have no outlet, with no 59 pan and no 8BA draft tube, so easy route is a concealed PCV under manifold tapped into both sides of manifold, hose from valve d****d into that vertical tube...which may be a bit too long, by the way.
With minor work you can add early pumps and distributor and heads, making a pretty convincing 59A and making engine several inches shorter potentially.

 

i used a edelbrock sling shot on my 8ba-some 8ba blocks need more holes drilled and tapped also 8ba intakes have 2 degree carb mount 59a o degree carb mount i am useing elecric fuel pump . i also put breather on the pan

 

Stock early manifolds work fine with the limited array of bolt holes on the 8BA...many hot rod early manifolds have fewer holes than stock due to thick castings interfering with the areas between runners, so situations will vary. If engine is still being built I might drill the whole early set so engine looks more like early...

 

So what you guys are telling me is to buy a locked up complete 59A for parts, huh? Sounds like the best solution. The **** of it is that I had one long before my current block. Got rid of it a long time ago. Ain't it funny how things work out?