where do I find numbers on flatheads??

I am learning that flathead engines (as you can tell, I know nothing) have numbers stamped as do all engines, and that these numbers can affect value quite a bit.

I am having to liquidate my grandfathers estate, and have to find values of the tons of things he has in the shop.

where are the stampings on flathead ford engines??? what numbers are more sought after??

any different head styles?? what numbers would they be and where would they be??

thanks for any guideance pards.

 

The numbers are cast on top of the bell housing. A "C" at the beginning of the number sequence means it was manufactured in Canada. Just do a little google search on your own and you should find what your looking for. As far as prices.......

 

thanks so far guys, keep it coming, I have a steep learning curve here.

 

Well you can start by counting the number of head studs or bolts on each head. If you count 21 it's a 1937 or earlier. If you count 24 it's a 1938 or later. If the discharge to the radiator on the heads is in the middle it's prabably a 1938 thru 1948 engine. If the discharge is in the front of the heads and the distributor comes off the right side at an angle it's probably a 1948 truck, through 1953 or 1949 to 1953 p***enger car engine. If you find a 59 cast on the bellhousing it's probably a 1945 through 1949 p***enger engine or 1945 through 1947 truck engine. If the distributor bolts to the front of the engine just above the crank pulley is mounted with 3 bolts it's probably a pre-1942 engine. If it bolts on with 2 bolts it's likely a 1942 through 1948 engine. If the engine has a 1/2 bellhousing it's probably a pre-49 p***enger car engine if not it's a later 1948 truck or 1949 p***enger car engine.

Other casting numbers don't have any revelnce in this day and age as they coud have been casting numbers or other but no recorda seem to be available to decipher theme.

You also need to keep in mind the interchangability of various model year's parts and after
78 years they could be modified with later or earlier parts.

Pictures are worth a thousand words so if you can post some it would help.

Jim

 

Lots of great information here to start:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm

 

lots of posted pic's will help you tremendously.

 

Here is what to look for:

Identification of the early flatheads is best approached in terms of the block. There is an unbelievable amount of interchangeability for the accessories over the years. Count the number of head studs.
1) If there are 17 studs it is a V8 60 used in vehicles between 1937 and 1940. This engine was also used in the French built Simca in the sixties but I don’t know what occurred between these two periods. Look for casting numbers and stamped steel water jackets in the side of the block. Post what you find and someone can probably further identify the engine.
2) If there are 21 studs the block was built 1932 to 1938. The transition to 24 studs was late in 1938. Check the water pet****s on the front of the block next to where the lower hose from the radiator enters either an inlet fitting (1936 and earlier) or the water pump (1937 and later). It the pet****s point straight down it is a 1932 block. If the block is not a 1932 next look for a vent from the crankcase area out through the front corner of the oil pan. If there is no vent the block is 1933-34. If there is a vent it is 1935 or later. As a matter of interest, the 1936 engines were the first to use insert bearings. Both insert and babbitt bearings were used throughout 1936. The insert bearing engines can be identified by LB cast at the top of the left front face of the block or by the letters LB stamped into the surface where the intake manifold attaches. Some engines were not stamped and in other cases people tried to inflate the price of their blocks by stamping LB into them when they were sold. Be careful. Now check for the location of the water pumps. If the water pumps mount on the block the engine is 1937 or later. All engines beginning in 1937 were inserts. Frequently you will encounter a 1937 block with factory block off plates held on by two bolts over the water pump p***age at the front of the block as it was common for Ford dealers to install this engine as a replacement in the earlier cars. Of course there will be slight transition periods at model change over with the older blocks usually going into the commercial vehicles. There may be subtle differences between the 1933-34 and the 1935-36 engines but I am knowledgeable enough about these years to know what they are. The casting numbers on the flywheel housing will also help identify the exact year of the engine. Post what you find and someone can probably further identify the engine.
3) If there are 24 studs the engine was produced between late 1938 and 1953 (1954 in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1lace>Canada</st1lace></st1:country-region>). If the distributor is mounted on the front of the block the engine is late 1938 through 1948 (1947 for trucks). If the distributor comes up at an angle and appears more like a modern distributor it is a 1949 (1948 for truck) through 1953 (1954 in <st1:country-region><st1lace>Canada</st1lace></st1:country-region>). The casting numbers on the flywheel housing will further identify the exact year of the engine. Post what you find and someone can probably further identify the engine.
4) There are a lot of additional foreign and industrial applications of these engines but the preceding covers the domestic <st1:country-region><st1lace>US</st1lace></st1:country-region> automobile production.
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Charlie Stephens

 

thanks guys. I'll get to WV as soon as possible and get picks. It is a 4 hr one way ride, so I hope you guys are here when I get pics. Thanks again