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Old 04-30-2017, 08:55 PM   #1
john greco
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Default French flathead block

Hi just wanted to get some feedback on the French blocks , this one still has the governer hole I guess that's what it is in the back , the one I see on eBay doesn't have that it all smooth like the opposite side , please any feed back appreciated
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Old 04-30-2017, 09:07 PM   #2
JSeery
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Default Re: French flathead block

The one on ebay has had the governor mount machined. You can get them in the original form or for more money, machined.
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Old 04-30-2017, 09:16 PM   #3
Krylon32
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Default Re: French flathead block

I bought the cheaper one with the governor provision and did the machine work locally. After I plugged the extra holes I cleaned up the few blemishes with JB Weld, sanded it down and primed it, looked just like the one in the picture from SFFH.
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Old 04-30-2017, 10:21 PM   #4
Ol' Ron
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Default Re: French flathead block

The beauty of these blocks is: You can run a distributor from this hole. So I'm told. Wouldn't that confuse a few people. Be great for a dual plug head.
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Old 05-01-2017, 08:58 AM   #5
bob miller
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Default Re: French flathead block

I know 4 différents cast for french blocks .
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Old 05-01-2017, 09:48 PM   #6
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Default Re: French flathead block

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I used a 4 inch grinder and ground the mount off. No one has ever identified it as a French block. In fact I spend more time telling people about the French blocks than I care to mention. Hardly anyone knows that the French had anything to do with a flathead.
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Old 10-11-2017, 06:38 PM   #7
olddaze32
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Default Re: French flathead block

Just picked up a new French block and I was wondering if anyone has any pictures of what you find when you start removing the rear mount for the governor.
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Old 10-11-2017, 06:50 PM   #8
Krylon32
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Default Re: French flathead block

Go slow with the grinder. I can't remember but I think I plugged 2 holes with pipe plugs and smoothed it off with JB weld. My memory's a little fuzzy on that
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Old 10-11-2017, 06:57 PM   #9
olddaze32
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Default Re: French flathead block

Thanks!! I will....
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Old 10-12-2017, 07:37 PM   #10
TomT/Williamsburg
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Default Re: French flathead block

Had a French block built for my 40 coupe and although it was close, there was no interference with the governor location being left alone. Gas pedal arm is right there but cleared fine. I left it alone and plugged the holes. I will have to look at my other block and see if it's there - that one may end up in my roadster w/4" crank, 080 over and an L100 cam ....
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Old 10-12-2017, 07:55 PM   #11
Ol' Ron
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Default Re: French flathead block

I'm pretty sure I had a ride in the 40. is that still on the road?
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Old 10-12-2017, 08:11 PM   #12
tubman
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Default Re: French flathead block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ol' Ron View Post
The beauty of these blocks is: You can run a distributor from this hole. So I'm told. Wouldn't that confuse a few people. Be great for a dual plug head.
I really like this idea. For a competition car, anyway. Seems that there would be firewall clearance problems with anything else.
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Old 10-13-2017, 12:48 PM   #13
rotorwrench
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Default Re: French flathead block

The Ford Cologne G29T engines had a distributor on the back if I remember correctly but I don't know how much similarity the SUMB engines have to it.
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Old 10-13-2017, 02:04 PM   #14
Graeme / New Zealand
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Default Re: French flathead block

Here's a koln G29T engine with dizzy on the back.....well bugger me!...until you mentioned it I never knew of such a thing. You never stop learning new stuff about flatheads..wow.

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Old 10-13-2017, 07:18 PM   #15
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Default Re: French flathead block

Some bondo or epoxy is needed to make the rear of the block look more like the Ford once the govener has been cut away. A trained eye will still know its not a Ford casting after the surgery.
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Old 10-13-2017, 08:33 PM   #16
TomT/Williamsburg
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Default Re: French flathead block

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ol' Ron View Post
I'm pretty sure I had a ride in the 40. is that still on the road?
Yes you did but it is now with a new owner - sold it about 1 1/2 years ago.
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