Any value in a 21 stud flattie?

[Charlie Stephens]

There is a market for the '37-'38 21 stud flathead since it has insert bearings and with two block off plates for the front of the engine (Ford actually made them) you can use it '32 to '36 and run all of the original bolt on parts.

Charlie Stephens

[lake_harley]

This is an old thread, but I'm searching for info to educate myself on flatheads. In post #5 above there's a photo of a 21 stud engine with water pumps in the heads. Someone later said it was a '37 engine, but I thought that '37 engines had water pumps in the block, and sometime, if it was a late 21 stud (replacement block) it might have Ford-installed block off plates in the block, but might still retain the pump-in-heads configuration.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, or I'd be happier yet to have someone verify that I'm thinking on the right track.

Thanks

Lynn

[itslow]

You are correct. A '37-38 engine with earlier heads would utilize the block-off plates at the in-block pump location. This would allow retrofit into a '32-36 model year car.

[Zeke3]

I agree with your thinking, 1937 had the water pumps located in the block and block off plates were used to install that engine in earlier models.

[lake_harley]

Thank you for the quick replies. I'm glad to find out that I'm actually learning something..
Did either of you perhaps look back at the picture in post number five to verify it's a pre-37 block?
Lynn

[Zeke3]

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I just looked at and it is definitely a pre-1937 engine.

[lake_harley]

Thank you.

Lynn

[cas3]

The reason 37 blocks are popular is you can dress them up to look like an early block, but you no longer have the Babbitt bearings. Sorta like a 36LB, but with water pump options

[rich b]

Originally Posted by lake_harley

Thank you for the quick replies. I'm glad to find out that I'm actually learning something..
Did either of you perhaps look back at the picture in post number five to verify it's a pre-37 block?
Lynn

The guy that made the post stated it was a picture of the original engine out of his '34; so it is definitely an early engine.

[aussie merc]

whats scrap today is gold tomorrow so hang on to it even better if you store it properly not just leave it to gather dust in the corner

[ScubaChief60]

Hey, now you have me concerned. My '35 is running a completely restored 21 stud and it's as fine as frogs hair. Should I be worried I have a 21 vs. 24?

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by ScubaChief60

Hey, now you have me concerned. My '35 is running a completely restored 21 stud and it's as fine as frogs hair. Should I be worried I have a 21 vs. 24?

Does it make good oil pressure now? If it does, just keep good clean modern oil in it and enjoy the ride. When properly done it will last a very long time. A flathead in the hands of most of us here on the barn leads a very pampered life compared to what our forefathers put them through. I recently posted a photo of a tandem axle converted '34 1 1/2 ton pulling a huge caterpillar dozer. The trailer it was sitting on must have weighed 10,000 lbs alone. During the rebuilding process an insert bearing engine is easier to deal with and can make for more predictable results.

[Jack E/NJ]

>>Should I be worried I have a 21 vs. 24?>>>

Maybe. If my calculations are correct, a 24 has 14.3% more studs than a 21. But a 21 has only 12.5% less studs than a 24.

[glennpm]

Originally Posted by lake_harley

This is an old thread, but I'm searching for info to educate myself on flatheads. In post #5 above there's a photo of a 21 stud engine with water pumps in the heads. Someone later said it was a '37 engine, but I thought that '37 engines had water pumps in the block, and sometime, if it was a late 21 stud (replacement block) it might have Ford-installed block off plates in the block, but might still retain the pump-in-heads configuration.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, or I'd be happier yet to have someone verify that I'm thinking on the right track.

Thanks

Lynn

Please take a look at page #5 of the Techno-Source link in my "signature" below

[ScubaChief60]

Yes... completely rebuilt and excellent oil pressure,,, so I feel better

[darylehensel]

Any value in a 21 bolt? I just paid $5,000 for a run out 32 engine needs complete rebuild.

[GB SISSON]

A friend has what I think is a '32 big truck as yard art. He has mentioned on 2 occasions that it has a flathead V8 engine in it if I want it. How can I be sure it's a '32 truck, and how can I know if it's a '32 engine?

[glennpm]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

how can I know if it's a '32 engine?

Please take a look at page #5 and on, of the Techno-Source link in my "signature" below. It has identifiers for the '32 block


Hover mouse over the words, "Techno-source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford", then click on the words and the pdf file will open.


Glenn

[glennpm]

GB, did you look at the '32 block info?


Glenn

[deuce lover]

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