The Ford Barn

Scottyboy · 03-31-2015, 01:49 PM

I am converting my 1953 ford sedan from the inline 6 it came with to the flathead option. I have tried to make all needed changes for the conversion. After a lot of time rebuilding the flathead, trying to make sure correct conversion parts were purchased, radiator, oil pan, water pumps, bellhousing, clutch release etc. I have now lowered it into the engine compartment. Major problem.... The engine is sitting about 1.5 to 2 inches too far forward for the motor mounts to mount? Mounts cannot be moved any further forward as they are at the front edge of the frame. I can't push the engine back any further because the oil pan deep trough then hits on the steering center link. Does anybody have any ideas? What did I miss in the conversion?

thanks

V8 Bob · 03-31-2015, 02:08 PM

What oil pan do you have? The '52-'53 should be a ribbed center sump, and is different than the '49-'51 smooth center sump pan.

Scottyboy · 03-31-2015, 03:57 PM

It is smooth center sump. No ribs. I also have the ribbed center sump and visually they looked the same. The smooth was in better condition so I used it. Ouch. I will pull it back out and take a closer look.

OhioRick · 03-31-2015, 04:02 PM

The 50's F1 pan isn't as deep and usually clears the cross link.

Scottyboy · 04-07-2015, 07:18 AM

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Not all 49-53 car 8ba flathead oil pans are the same!!. The bolt patterns are, but the shapes are slightly different. As V8 Bob posted. The 52-53 Pans are ribbed and have the center sump set forward from the back about 1 1/2 inch - 2 inches than the 49-51 pans. This is to clear the steering center link. Learned this the hard way. Unless you look very close you won't catch it. Some pans have ribbing on the sides of the center sump. Not sure the application or years of these. Is it for the power steering or auto trans application? The pans with the ribbing on the rail are the 52-53, and the smooth rail is the 49-51 pans? Anybody have information to add or change?

03-31-2015, 01:49 PM	#1
Scottyboy Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 37	Ford Flathead Conversion need help!!! I am converting my 1953 ford sedan from the inline 6 it came with to the flathead option. I have tried to make all needed changes for the conversion. After a lot of time rebuilding the flathead, trying to make sure correct conversion parts were purchased, radiator, oil pan, water pumps, bellhousing, clutch release etc. I have now lowered it into the engine compartment. Major problem.... The engine is sitting about 1.5 to 2 inches too far forward for the motor mounts to mount? Mounts cannot be moved any further forward as they are at the front edge of the frame. I can't push the engine back any further because the oil pan deep trough then hits on the steering center link. Does anybody have any ideas? What did I miss in the conversion? thanks __________________ "This thing better run when I get done!"

03-31-2015, 02:08 PM	#2
V8 Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana Posts: 1,520	Re: Ford Flathead Conversion need help!!! What oil pan do you have? The '52-'53 should be a ribbed center sump, and is different than the '49-'51 smooth center sump pan.

03-31-2015, 03:57 PM	#3
Scottyboy Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 37	Re: Ford Flathead Conversion need help!!! It is smooth center sump. No ribs. I also have the ribbed center sump and visually they looked the same. The smooth was in better condition so I used it. Ouch. I will pull it back out and take a closer look. __________________ "This thing better run when I get done!"

03-31-2015, 04:02 PM	#4
OhioRick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 175	Re: Ford Flathead Conversion need help!!! The 50's F1 pan isn't as deep and usually clears the cross link.

04-07-2015, 07:18 AM	#5
Scottyboy Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 37	Re: Ford Flathead Conversion need help!!! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Not all 49-53 car 8ba flathead oil pans are the same!!. The bolt patterns are, but the shapes are slightly different. As V8 Bob posted. The 52-53 Pans are ribbed and have the center sump set forward from the back about 1 1/2 inch - 2 inches than the 49-51 pans. This is to clear the steering center link. Learned this the hard way. Unless you look very close you won't catch it. Some pans have ribbing on the sides of the center sump. Not sure the application or years of these. Is it for the power steering or auto trans application? The pans with the ribbing on the rail are the 52-53, and the smooth rail is the 49-51 pans? Anybody have information to add or change? __________________ "This thing better run when I get done!"