Technical Converting a 8cm block to a 59a style

I need some help here. I have a 8cm short block with a 59a cam and a crab front cover. I also have a set of 59a wide belt water pumps. I would like to convert this to use the 59a heads. I know about plugging the 4 holes in the block for water. What else? What is the difference in water pumps other than pulley size?

thanks,

jim

 

The earlier water pumps will bolt right on once you've plugged that little extra hole on the top of the block front, or you could just use wide belt truck pumps. Make sure your crank pulley is either an early or a later truck. I'm not sure but there might be a difference in the length of the intake manifold mounting surface for the generator on the early vs. late intakes. Maybe someone else knows about this and the spacing for the generators.

 

did that years ago... memory says the cam gears push opposite directions ?
using 59ab heads you may want to run a 2 deuce intake as the water outlets will now be in the center,
this compromised what carb and carb linkage I could use...

 

Have a early 3 carb intake. Rt side gen mt.

 

When you compare the early & late gear sets, you will find that You need to make sure to use the early ( 59AB) commercial timing gears to keep pressure on the cam towards the rear of the block, as the late(8CM) gears push the cam forward, & will load the distributer. Direction given me by an old-time racer/engine builder when I was building my first Flathead. If you compare the early and late timing gears, you will find that the gears are "opposite handed"(on one the teeth point right, on the other they point left).

 

Water pumps-- If you plan on using original early style water pumps (37 to 48), be sure to use the newly produced after market pumps.
The early type pumps had br*** bushings & lubricated from a p***age coming from the timing gear chamber. The 8cm block does not have these oil p***ages.
The newer aftermarket pumps have sealed bearings & don't need oil.
Also, the '37 to '41 dual sheave big truck pumps had sealed bearings, but are harder to find plus they're old.

 

I have the new early style pumps.

 

Some one else chimed in and said the oil pump drive gear is different. Van Pelts parts book shows it as being the same 32 53.

 

you can use a 4bbl intake, but probably will need a spacer.

 

this is about converting a 8cm block to a 59a style. I have a 3 carb intake I will be using.

 

The venting works differently from early to late blocks, and it is routed through the intake. I think by using an early intake you won't have the same in side and out side as needed for that block. Aren't the later blocks missing the small vent on the oil pan? that's why they had the road draft tube off the intake. You might need to create another way for air to enter/exit the engine cavity.

 

It's all blow by. From some post I have read the PCV should be located in the plenum then a connection to the tube at the ft of the block on the later engs. On ohv engs that did not come with a pvc system ,locating one in a valve cover ,then to the carb base seems to work.