flat head ID

i found 2 flat head v8s in a salvage ,one is missing the heads the other is complete .how do i tell what they are .what casting numbers and where are they? mike

 

count the head bolts, 24= 59a or a 8ba. what you want. dizzy on the front (crablike) where waterpump would be on a OHV engine, is a 59a Old school rodders want these. dizzy coming up at a angle in the front a 8ba 49-53 flatty. If the heads are already off then someone already checked for cracks (exhaust vavle to piston) water hole to bolt hole is okay unless its more than a hairline. If it has fatal cracks give him $25-50 for it you might get some spare parts out of it. also if it is a 8ba and the intake is green it may be a merc, you'll want that crank. either way its a gamble keep it under a $100 bucks
FS

 

Also, the earlier flatheads had the bellhousing cast onto them. Look or the numbers 59 cast on the very rear at the back of the engine. If it says 59L or 59Z you have a factory releived engine.
GOOD STUFF!!