The Ford Barn

Krylon32 · 05-13-2020, 11:49 AM

I'm back. Here's the plan. New French block with a new 3.75 crank, new 8ba rods. I've decided to follow Ron's advice and bore out to 3 5/16th for a 258 ci motor. Egge 3 ring pistons, standard size valves, adjustable lifters, I'm undecided between a 77B or Max 1 cam? Standard Navarro 59 AB heads with a Navarro super dual intake with Strombergs. All the usual internals along with a good balance job. Stock 59 AB flywheel. I'm sure I'm forgetting something but that's the basics. I've read all the literature I can find on the French block which leaves one a little confused as to port or not, rework the exhaust or leave it alone for a mild street motor. I'm sure there's various opinions on here and I invite them which will leave me open to suggestions from the experts. Thanks

40 Deluxe · 05-13-2020, 12:32 PM

Any reason not to use a 4" crank?

KiWinUS · 05-13-2020, 12:40 PM

Unless you already have crank& rods I would suggest an Eagle 4.125 or 4.250 crank & either NOS 21a rods or Scat rods. There is a large seat of the pants difference with the larger stroke vs. 3.375. I f your buying anyway not much more $. I also prefer pistons with metric rings. Just my opinion. Have fun no matter what your choices

flatheadmurre · 05-13-2020, 12:55 PM

The intakes of the frenchblock needs a bit of cleanup even if you´re not going to port it wildly...
Then it needs a cosmetic mill and grind session on the external if not already done to look less industrial...
The rest is as icecream...we all like different flavours !

KiWinUS · 05-13-2020, 12:58 PM

Well put Murre��

Krylon32 · 05-13-2020, 01:09 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have new French 3.75 crank and new 8 BA rods that came with the block. I've done the cosmetic mill and clean up on the back. If I don't use the crank it becomes another part gathering dust in my storage building. I'm not a Scat fan and haven't been able to locate a good Merc crank. Also at 75 I'm kinda on a self imposed budget.

KiWinUS · 05-13-2020, 01:17 PM

Makes total sense. Have fun.

Ol' Ron · 05-13-2020, 01:37 PM

$$$$$$$$$ The 250 is a nice street build allowimg 8:1 CR with milled EAB heads. The stock cam gives this engine gobs of low speed torque, and you haven't spent much money, but you have a driver that does everything a 284 ?294 ci engine does. with better gas mileage.

philipswanson · 05-13-2020, 02:35 PM

Where did you buy the block/crank ?

05-13-2020, 11:49 AM	#1
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,484	French Flathead Build I'm back. Here's the plan. New French block with a new 3.75 crank, new 8ba rods. I've decided to follow Ron's advice and bore out to 3 5/16th for a 258 ci motor. Egge 3 ring pistons, standard size valves, adjustable lifters, I'm undecided between a 77B or Max 1 cam? Standard Navarro 59 AB heads with a Navarro super dual intake with Strombergs. All the usual internals along with a good balance job. Stock 59 AB flywheel. I'm sure I'm forgetting something but that's the basics. I've read all the literature I can find on the French block which leaves one a little confused as to port or not, rework the exhaust or leave it alone for a mild street motor. I'm sure there's various opinions on here and I invite them which will leave me open to suggestions from the experts. Thanks

05-13-2020, 12:32 PM	#2
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,779	Re: French Flathead Build Any reason not to use a 4" crank?

05-13-2020, 12:40 PM	#3
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,960	Re: French Flathead Build Unless you already have crank& rods I would suggest an Eagle 4.125 or 4.250 crank & either NOS 21a rods or Scat rods. There is a large seat of the pants difference with the larger stroke vs. 3.375. I f your buying anyway not much more $. I also prefer pistons with metric rings. Just my opinion. Have fun no matter what your choices

05-13-2020, 12:55 PM	#4
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: French Flathead Build The intakes of the frenchblock needs a bit of cleanup even if you´re not going to port it wildly... Then it needs a cosmetic mill and grind session on the external if not already done to look less industrial... The rest is as icecream...we all like different flavours !

05-13-2020, 12:58 PM	#5
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,960	Re: French Flathead Build Well put Murre��

05-13-2020, 01:09 PM	#6
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,484	Re: French Flathead Build Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have new French 3.75 crank and new 8 BA rods that came with the block. I've done the cosmetic mill and clean up on the back. If I don't use the crank it becomes another part gathering dust in my storage building. I'm not a Scat fan and haven't been able to locate a good Merc crank. Also at 75 I'm kinda on a self imposed budget.

05-13-2020, 01:17 PM	#7
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,960	Re: French Flathead Build Makes total sense. Have fun.

05-13-2020, 01:37 PM	#8
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: French Flathead Build $$$$$$$$$ The 250 is a nice street build allowimg 8:1 CR with milled EAB heads. The stock cam gives this engine gobs of low speed torque, and you haven't spent much money, but you have a driver that does everything a 284 ?294 ci engine does. with better gas mileage.

05-13-2020, 02:35 PM	#9
philipswanson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bonita, CA Posts: 1,374	Re: French Flathead Build Where did you buy the block/crank ?