engine identification

[JanP]

Hi guys, as I can not find an engine number on the bell of my Flathead V8 and I want to figure out, what kind of engine I have, I hope to get some help from you.
Its a 21 studs head with the water pumps in the front as you can see on the picture.

[Charlie Stephens]

If there are 21 studs the block was built 1932 to 1938. The transition to 24 studs was late in 1938. Check the water petcocks on the front of the block next to where the lower hose from the radiator enters either an inlet fitting (1936 and earlier) or the water pump (1937 and later). It the petcocks point straight down it is a 1932 block. If the block is not a 1932 next look for a vent from the crankcase area out through the front corner of the oil pan. If there is no vent the block is 1933-34. If there is a vent it is 1935 or later. As a matter of interest, the 1936 engines were the first to use insert bearings. Both insert and babbitt bearings were used throughout 1936. The insert bearing engines can be identified by LB cast at the top of the left front face of the block or by the letters LB stamped into the surface where the intake manifold attaches. Some engines were not stamped and in other cases people tried to inflate the price of their blocks by stamping LB into them when they were sold. Be careful. Now check for the location of the water pumps. If the water pumps mount on the block the engine is 1937 or later. All engines beginning in 1937 were inserts. Frequently you will encounter a 1937 block with factory block off plates held on by two bolts over the water pump passage at the front of the block as it was common for Ford dealers to install this engine as a replacement in the earlier cars. Of course there will be slight transition periods at model change over with the older blocks usually going into the commercial vehicles. There may be subtle differences between the 1933-34 and the 1935-36 engines but I am knowledgeable enough about these years to know what they are. The casting numbers on the flywheel housing will also help identify the exact year of the engine. Post what you find and someone can probably further identify the engine.

Charlie Stephens

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by JanP

Hi guys, as I can not find an engine number on the bell of my Flathead V8 and I want to figure out, what kind of engine I have, I hope to get some help from you.
Its a 21 studs head with the water pumps in the front as you can see on the picture.

[JanP]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

If there are 21 studs the block was built 1932 to 1938. The transition to 24 studs was late in 1938. Check the water petcocks on the front of the block next to where the lower hose from the radiator enters either an inlet fitting (1936 and earlier) or the water pump (1937 and later). It the petcocks point straight down it is a 1932 block. If the block is not a 1932 next look for a vent from the crankcase area out through the front corner of the oil pan. If there is no vent the block is 1933-34. If there is a vent it is 1935 or later. As a matter of interest, the 1936 engines were the first to use insert bearings. Both insert and babbitt bearings were used throughout 1936. The insert bearing engines can be identified by LB cast at the top of the left front face of the block or by the letters LB stamped into the surface where the intake manifold attaches. Some engines were not stamped and in other cases people tried to inflate the price of their blocks by stamping LB into them when they were sold. Be careful. Now check for the location of the water pumps. If the water pumps mount on the block the engine is 1937 or later. All engines beginning in 1937 were inserts. Frequently you will encounter a 1937 block with factory block off plates held on by two bolts over the water pump passage at the front of the block as it was common for Ford dealers to install this engine as a replacement in the earlier cars. Of course there will be slight transition periods at model change over with the older blocks usually going into the commercial vehicles. There may be subtle differences between the 1933-34 and the 1935-36 engines but I am knowledgeable enough about these years to know what they are. The casting numbers on the flywheel housing will also help identify the exact year of the engine. Post what you find and someone can probably further identify the engine.

Charlie Stephens

Thanks, I will look for all the things you told me. But its not that easy, when your are not a native english speaker....

[Ggmac]

Is that a weber on top ? If so can I see a pic ?

[JanP]

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There are Webers on top, but they are not rumbling that good by now.....

[rotorwrench]

All I can see is an early 21 stud type cylinder head with water pump in head design. I can't tell much about the engine block.

Ford built a plant in Koln that began production in 1931 and was eventually taken over under the National Socialist government. They produced V8 engines before, during, and after the war. There was also a Ford SAF plant in France that manufactured V8 engines.

If it's a USA or Canadian Ford engine then it will either have USA or "C" casting marks respectively. It would have SAF or Matford markings if French. Koln manufactured engines should have their casting marks.

[Aarongriffey]

In ‘56 to ‘57 I was stationed in Germany.
We had the Germans do our laundry.
They picked it up with 1 1/2 ton flat bed Ford trucks.
I took a look under the hood once and saw what looked like an 8BA or 8RT but the distributor was coming out the rear bel housing on the passenger’s side. I suppose off the oil pump drive.?
At the time I was very familiar with 59AB and earlier engines but not with 8BA, although my sister had a ‘49 F 1 pickup. My Dad’s F5 farm truck was a 6 cylinder.
I wonder if France and Germany also built the Ford 6?

[JanP]

I bought the car in Philadelphia, so I think its an US car....

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by Aarongriffey

In ‘56 to ‘57 I was stationed in Germany.
We had the Germans do our laundry.
They picked it up with 1 1/2 ton flat bed Ford trucks.
I took a look under the hood once and saw what looked like an 8BA or 8RT but the distributor was coming out the rear bel housing on the passenger’s side. I suppose off the oil pump drive.?
At the time I was very familiar with 59AB and earlier engines but not with 8BA, although my sister had a ‘49 F 1 pickup. My Dad’s F5 farm truck was a 6 cylinder.
I wonder if France and Germany also built the Ford 6?

Not one of these (337 from big trucks and Lincolns)?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 51504bat

Not one of these (337 from big trucks and Lincolns)?

[Rodrelic]

It looks like block off plates for block mounted water pumps ? If so an insert motor, as I know. I have one LB with no block mount pumps,& 2 more , one without LB stamp another with, but 21stud & block off plates where water pumps go, all insert bearings
So I guess LB not a given for inserts.

[JanP]

So, I am sure now its 35-36 and I did not find a LB on it. Lets see.
Thanks guys!

[rotorwrench]

Ford of Koln started production of the V8 in late 1935 and they were used in cars & trucks before the war. They would have initially been a lot like Ford USA production. The war pretty much changed production to trucks and other truck like vehicles.

The Koln built G29T engine had a rear mounted distributor after the war. They were still a 239 I'm pretty sure. They made them up to 1961 and were likely pretty common in Deutschland back in the day. Most all production was for trucks.

[DavidG]

If he bought the car in Philadelphia it is highly unlikely that it has a Ford Werke engine in it.

[Randy Monroe]

Hi Charrlie I have also a flathead that is diff? its a 24bolt type and has a attached bellhousing ,,at the rear there is a casting number of 32334 cant seem to find any one that knows can you help
also I had to replace a headgasket and see that the block has been cut just around the intake? whats that about??

[GB SISSON]

Randy, see the current thread by 'Ol Ron' entitled 'Should I relieve this block'. Sounds like it has a partial relieve job. Hey neighbor, maybe I can see your place from my kitchen window.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by Randy Monroe

Hi Charrlie I have also a flathead that is diff? its a 24bolt type and has a attached bellhousing ,,at the rear there is a casting number of 32334 cant seem to find any one that knows can you help
also I had to replace a headgasket and see that the block has been cut just around the intake? whats that about??

How about some pictures of the block with the head off of it? That can tell us a lot. The number you refer to on the back doesn't tell me anything . . . maybe somebody else knows something?

[38 coupe]

USA built blocks with cast on bell housing and 24 studs were made from 1938 through 1948. The "cut just around the intake" might be a new description for the 41-42 "raised intake" blocks (really the intake is the normal height and the rest of the top surface is lowered around it). Does the block look like this?:

[deuce_roadster]

Could be any block between 32 and mid 38 with the supplied pictures. I am not seeing a distributor. Like mentioned above, better pictures of the front and back of the block could help narrow the choices.