Flathead Auction in Sacramento -- What are these?

[Ross F-1]

https://www.bidspotter.com/en-us/auc...1-afbe0153bde3

These appear to be 59-series blocks but with 8BA-style heads and ignition. They appear to be on military stands, are these some kind of Euro engines?

[deuce lover]

Yes,French flatheads.

[Krylon32]

They are French flat head motors and bare blocks. These have been in the Us for many years. I think they were imported by a man in Texas then went to Kansas and then to So-Cal Sacramento. The blocks make really great motors. I've had several. I didn't build the last one I had and sold it for $4500 to a man in TN. They will probably bring good money at auction because there are no more.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Yes,French flatheads.

[Tim Ayers]

If anyone buys a complete motor or motors, I'd love to have a set of those exhaust manifolds if anyone is willing to part with them. I found some sets in Europe, but shipping was around $200.

[barnfind08]

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Tim these are stock 8BA manifolds run backwards

[tubman]

Originally Posted by barnfind08

Tim these are stock 8BA manifolds run backwards

How can that be? First of all, that has to be a left side manifold because it has only one outlet. The way the manifolds are bolted to the block now, the top bolt on the front of the engine is forward. If you flipped the manifold end for end, the forward (now rearward) mounting would be on the bottom, while the bottom hole in the block is towards the front of the engine.

Trust me. This is the first thing I thought of doing in 1959, going so far as to remove the exhaust manifold and try to swap it end for end. It didn't work then, and it doesn't work now.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by tubman

How can that be? First of all, that has to be a left side manifold because it has only one outlet. The way the manifolds are bolted to the block now, the top bolt on the front of the engine is forward. If you flipped the manifold end for end, the forward (now rearward) mounting would be on the bottom, while the bottom hole in the block is towards the front of the engine.

Trust me. This is the first thing I thought of doing in 1959, going so far as to remove the exhaust manifold and try to swap it end for end. It didn't work then, and it doesn't work now.

But maybe if you switch sides as well? ???

[tubman]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

But maybe if you switch sides as well? ???

And what good would that do? IIRC, it won't even bolt on the block. Even if it would, the problem is the left side of the engine.

[vincent]

I have at least two pairs of those french manifolds. But shipping would surely be expensive.

[Krylon32]

Been watching the bidding on some of the lots of bare blocks. There might possibly be some bargains? 18% bidders fee plus the sales tax is a bite in the butt. If I won some I'd have to make a flying trip to CA. Just dreaming.

[V8COOPMAN]

.

And for those unaware, check my ad in the Swap Meet. I have a package (including an unmolested French block & caps from Halibrand, and some other UPSCALE pieces to build a really nice engine package for a street "Flatty"). No bidding FEES on this one, folks ... click the link, guys!

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...t=french+block


Coop

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[flatford8]

Dick.....that’s an awesome deal for somebody......unfortunately,....I don’t have time for a Texas road trip this year....
I have a “59” style motor that has some “upgrades”, one of them was the exhaust manifolds were mounted backwards. They used two gaskets in the center and no bolts. I’m guessing they figured the gaskets would be pulled tight by the front and rear mounting bolts, and not leak. I got the engine as a non-runner so I don’t know if their attempt was successful..........Mark

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by tubman

And what good would that do? IIRC, it won't even bolt on the block. Even if it would, the problem is the left side of the engine.

It was just a wild guess, but I see from Mark's post the center flange is clocked wrong. Now if a guy took a close pipe nipple and cut the flange off and thre..... Oh never mind, I don't even get why it's good to exit in front, rear or middle. Back to the current thread, What are they getting for bare blocks with caps at this auction?

[Krylon32]

It would seem that as many different Flathead exhaust manifolds as Ford made over the years there would be some that would do what your trying to accomplish without a struggle?

[deuce_roadster]

Wow, Dick that is an awesome deal. If all my engines weren't already done, I would be all over that. I used to have a French block, bought it when they were first available. Sold it years ago as I would have to live to be 300 years old to wear out the engines I have. Someone is going to be lucky. Not that big a drive for someone in Southern Cal. You can now buy Ferguson's kits for 16k, would be pretty cool on that French block.

[Krylon32]

Ferguson's kit will not work on the French block as it has a factory relief. I was dreaming of doing that when I bought my first French block.

[rich b]

^^^
If I remember right all the French blocks are relieved and as such won't work with Ardun heads; or did I get that wrong somewhere.

[deuce_roadster]

I have a lot to learn about the Ardun. I did talk with Don Ferguson about valve cover gaskets I can get from him.

[deuce lover]

Here is a pic I have of that engine in post #2 with the head and intake off