221-239-255 Flathead Engine Block Identification Version 2

[38 coupe]

Germany

Flathead V8 production at the Koln plant in Cologne Germany deviated from USA practices due to politics and a war. Before WW2 the German production primarily followed USA practices, with some lag in adopting changes. One notable difference is all German V8s used a cast aluminum oil pan, probably because the stamping dies and machine were too expensive to justify for the small volume production of these engine.

Please be careful with pictures taken during World War 2, just because a truck is in German use does not indicate it was produced in Germany. All sides were quite happy to incorporate any captured usable Ford vehicle into their fleet, and did so regularly. A quick insignia paint job and the vehicle switched sides, regardless of where the vehicle or engine was produced.

Production started with the 1935-36 type engines as shown in this celebratory picture of the first engine.



At the time the Führer decided to start a world war engine production at Koln was still 21 stud engines. With a war on the government appropriated the plant and Ford lost control and contact with the German facility for the duration of the war. Some time in 1940? Koln modified their castings to make 24 stud engines, and enlarged the bore to make 239 cubic inch units. The cylinder deck on these engines is different, with the center water hole upside down keystone becoming a bit of an arrowhead shape.


At some point the Germans got fed up with the distributor low on the front of the motor and decided to do something about it. The block casting was modified so that a distributor drive could be attached at the top of the oil pump.


Here is a picture of a German engine in a military vehicle, check out that distributor access.


After the war the plant was returned to Ford. The German engines were updated with some of the 8BA features, but not all. It appears to me that the cooling improvements were adopted, but no other changes since the German motors already had a top mounted distributor. Continued use in already designed vehicles probably had something to do with this, more information would be nice.
These engine pictures show the updated cooling system evident by the 8BA style heads, but retaining the cast on bell housing and not adopting the 8BA style crankcase ventilation.