flathead engine serial number
 

I have a 35 pickup with a later engine. The serial number is 18 1346997. What is the year of this engine. The water pumps are on the block and don't match any pumps I see for sale. They have an extra hole opposite the mount flange.

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

That extra hole (2 holes each side) is in the block not the pump. Those holes were used for a front engine mount in trucks. Looks the same as the 39 and 41 pumps I have in my parts pile.

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

Ford flatheads do not have serial numbers. That number might be your frame number and also the number on your transmission if it has not been replaced. If your engine has 21 cylinder studs the engine is probably a 1937 or possibly 1938. If it has 24 head studs it could be up through 1948 I believe. If I am wrong I will be corrected shortly.

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

What numbers are on the heads?

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

Here is a picture of the flathead serial number on the bell housing of the block.

Attachment 576185

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

That’s on the transmission. That number would have originally matched the chassis number. But it is not an engine number unfortunately.

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

Your transmission has a 1935 serial number.

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

Yes the transmission case is 1935 but the engine is not due to the water pumps. The heads can be moved from one year to another within limits so the numbers on the heads shouulld not be used to date the engine. You have to look at the engine block features. Suggest you look on the vanpelt web site where they describe the features.

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

A picture of one of the heads would be helpful as cas3 mentioned.

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

That would identify the "heads". Is the intake mounted surface flat, or have the appearance of having a raised deck the shape of the gasket? Give us more clues... crank mount fan? Distributor type?
Casting number on bell housing above the flywheel?

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

Re: flathead engine serial number
 

I am going to say this very very slowly so you will understand.
Ford Motor Company Never put a serial number on any 1932 - 1953 Flathead V8 or 4 Cylinder engines.
Henry did this so the cars would have interchangeable engines. The number was on the bellhousing and frame on the V8 and flywheel housing and frame on the 4 cylinder. Some states required an engine number so the dealer selling the car would often stamp the number on the block just outside the intake manifold. They were not done with factory font Stamps nor did they have a star on them such as the Model A did.