The Ford Barn

OldDad · 09-21-2012, 01:34 AM

Just posted an old letter my father (OldDad) wrote back in '52 in which he mentions fixing a blown-off flathead bell housing (for $35.00!).

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83657

So, thought I would post some pictures of a block I have that dates back to those days, and see if any of you guys think this is at all feasible. This thing came out of an old cracker box racing boat, and somebody cut the bell housing off for that use.

The crime here is that the block is ported and relieved, has big valves, a Harman & Collins V SU cam (a "super" cam, I assume? Not a good street cam, but interesting nonetheless!) and 3 5/16" bore. There is also a beefed-up center main cap. I've been crying over this thing for years, and the funny thing is that the old man always told me "don't even think about it -- can't fix it." Yet now I find this letter he wrote to my uncle back when, in which he says it's no problem! Maybe he thought it would be weak and I'd throw a clutch through it and cut my feet off, I don't know.

These pics are not the greatest, but I know you guys will know what you're looking at anyway.

So, is this boat engine a boat anchor, or what?

09-21-2012, 01:34 AM	#1
OldDad Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 153	Invisible Bell Housing Just posted an old letter my father (OldDad) wrote back in '52 in which he mentions fixing a blown-off flathead bell housing (for $35.00!). https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83657 So, thought I would post some pictures of a block I have that dates back to those days, and see if any of you guys think this is at all feasible. This thing came out of an old cracker box racing boat, and somebody cut the bell housing off for that use. The crime here is that the block is ported and relieved, has big valves, a Harman & Collins V SU cam (a "super" cam, I assume? Not a good street cam, but interesting nonetheless!) and 3 5/16" bore. There is also a beefed-up center main cap. I've been crying over this thing for years, and the funny thing is that the old man always told me "don't even think about it -- can't fix it." Yet now I find this letter he wrote to my uncle back when, in which he says it's no problem! Maybe he thought it would be weak and I'd throw a clutch through it and cut my feet off, I don't know. These pics are not the greatest, but I know you guys will know what you're looking at anyway. So, is this boat engine a boat anchor, or what?