Ford Flathead 221....help!

Building a late 38 flatty. It's a 24 stud 221 with the divers helmet distributor. Looking for recommendations on a manual that will cover basically everything on this engine. I have the green and yellow V8 Engines/Generating Ford books but want something a little more in depth. Any suggestions?

 

This question has come up lately and I am too lazy to search for it right now. There are some good books out there and also good stuff can be found on the internet that would be free. Search something like flathead books and also try a search with "techno site". If you can not come up with it I can do some digging.

http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm

Neal

 

Bump...

Going out on a limb here but I always thought they where the same as a 59A aside from the smaller bore and rod journal sizes and
different ignition.

I read in a 1973 R&C Flathead piece that "Edelbrock Standard" was an 1/8" by 1/8" 221 utilizing an offset ground early Mercury crankshaft (3-7/8") with 221 rods.. Sounds like a neat combo to me.

 

Check in at fordbarn.com - the Hamb's sister site. You will never feel short of flathead advice over there.
Mart.

 

Thanks guys, I have been in vanpelts, 35 pickup, roadkill customs, crankshaft coalition...just to name a few. My biggest issue is I can't find books for the 38-41...I can find all around it, but that's not really helping me much...might be time to locate a 410 Merc and just get silly.

 

I don't know what is unique about a '38 V-8 from the other 24 bolt, pre 8BA motors. The distributor and cam are different but no big deal. Another thing is no rear main seal. I have one dated around 1940 with 3 3/8 bore.

Ask the specific questions you have and someone will problably have the answers.

Neal

 

Mainly, Neal, I am just trying to gather as much information on it as I can. Is it in fact the same block as all the other displacements pre-8ba, minus bore and stroke? Just trying to plan out what route I want to take with it..or if I even want to mess with it. Seems I would rather go with a beefier overhead set-up. But...I sure do love the sound of a flatty with a hot cam and lake pipes!

 

The Frank Oddo book is a good one.

 

Thanks, Groovy!

 

I actually have that exact engine in my '32, in '38 it was called an 81A in case you need the eng number.

 

Mind if I PM you with some really dumb questions, Groovy?

 

Sure, Willie. I might be able to answer them!