The Ford Barn

Ford Freak · 08-07-2016, 04:12 PM

Hey guys - Both my friend and I have 8BA 's in our F1's .
His is a 1950 , mine is a 1952 .
Are these what the factory would have installed , or should they be 8RT's ?
Thanks in advance - FF

Ol' Ron · 08-07-2016, 05:11 PM

The 8RT heads are very low compression. With todays gas your better off with the EAB or 8BA head

Ford Freak · 08-07-2016, 05:24 PM

Thanks Ron -that's good to know . I guess I should also mention that we have no plans to change them , just wondering if they (8BA) are correct for our trucks .

Ross F-1 · 08-07-2016, 07:13 PM

Lots of debate on this, but I've seen lots of F-1's and F-2's with 8BA's, and credible evidence they are original. I've not seen an 8BA in a larger truck as original tho. When you get to late 50s and on, when they started dropping the hardened seats (first just on intakes, then altogether), I think they were more strict about putting the RT's in trucks.

truckdog62563 · 08-07-2016, 07:19 PM

Chuck once told me the 8BA was correct through 1951, with 8RT correct for 1952. And iirc the EAB was 1953. Stu

Barry-ct · 08-07-2016, 07:26 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Mid 51 was the change and all trucks from that point on that needed a service replacement head, got 8RT's.

alanwoodieman · 08-07-2016, 07:35 PM

I have a 51 1 1/2 ton army truck and they specified an 8ba instead of an 8rt. it is in the military specification write up

1952henry · 08-07-2016, 09:39 PM

I think both the 52& 53 truck heads were 8RT marked whilst the cars were EAB for 52&53. I believe Barry hit it on the head.

Ford Freak · 08-07-2016, 10:26 PM

Great feedback - thanks ! Now I don't know who or what to believe ! LOL !
Keep 'em coming !

rotorwrench · 08-08-2016, 08:48 AM

8BA heads were discontinued somewhere in there. 8RT heads were the replacements for all pickups & trucks after that. My Pop's old 52 had 8RT heads but it was an F3. An F1 might have has them in 52 but I'd say early in production.

1952henry · 08-08-2016, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

8BA heads were discontinued somewhere in there. 8RT heads were the replacements for all pickups & trucks after that. My Pop's old 52 had 8RT heads but it was an F3. An F1 might have has them in 52 but I'd say early in production.

As Barry has stated, the switch was in 51. All truck engines were affected, F1-F6.

08-07-2016, 04:12 PM	#1
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,096	Correct V8 in F1 ? Hey guys - Both my friend and I have 8BA 's in our F1's . His is a 1950 , mine is a 1952 . Are these what the factory would have installed , or should they be 8RT's ? Thanks in advance - FF

08-07-2016, 05:11 PM	#2
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? The 8RT heads are very low compression. With todays gas your better off with the EAB or 8BA head

08-07-2016, 05:24 PM	#3
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,096	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? Thanks Ron -that's good to know . I guess I should also mention that we have no plans to change them , just wondering if they (8BA) are correct for our trucks .

08-07-2016, 07:13 PM	#4
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,438	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? Lots of debate on this, but I've seen lots of F-1's and F-2's with 8BA's, and credible evidence they are original. I've not seen an 8BA in a larger truck as original tho. When you get to late 50s and on, when they started dropping the hardened seats (first just on intakes, then altogether), I think they were more strict about putting the RT's in trucks. __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

08-07-2016, 07:19 PM	#5
truckdog62563 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, Il Posts: 599	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? Chuck once told me the 8BA was correct through 1951, with 8RT correct for 1952. And iirc the EAB was 1953. Stu __________________ Stu McMillan Marmon-Herringtons

08-07-2016, 07:26 PM	#6
Barry-ct Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newington, Connecticut Posts: 1,374	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mid 51 was the change and all trucks from that point on that needed a service replacement head, got 8RT's. __________________ Barry 50 F-1

08-07-2016, 07:35 PM	#7
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? I have a 51 1 1/2 ton army truck and they specified an 8ba instead of an 8rt. it is in the military specification write up

08-07-2016, 09:39 PM	#8
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,619	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? I think both the 52& 53 truck heads were 8RT marked whilst the cars were EAB for 52&53. I believe Barry hit it on the head. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

08-07-2016, 10:26 PM	#9
Ford Freak Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Pittsford NY. USA Posts: 1,096	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? Great feedback - thanks ! Now I don't know who or what to believe ! LOL ! Keep 'em coming !

08-08-2016, 08:48 AM	#10
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Correct V8 in F1 ? 8BA heads were discontinued somewhere in there. 8RT heads were the replacements for all pickups & trucks after that. My Pop's old 52 had 8RT heads but it was an F3. An F1 might have has them in 52 but I'd say early in production.