The Ford Barn

Streetheatcustoms · 03-26-2021, 09:44 AM

Recently purchased this running flathead. I’m a Chevy guy so I know very little about this platform identification. I know it’s a 24bolt and it has the raised intake base making it second gen. There is only one set of numbers on the bell housing with X5 stamped next to it. Most I’ve seen have another set of numbers closer to the mating surface for trans. There are no numbers on front of head or timing cover. I do plan on pulling the heads to detail and ready for sale but another person says that x5 could be significant. Anyone know anything about it?

JSeery · 03-26-2021, 09:53 AM

The raised intake was very short lived and is most likely a 1941. There may have also been raised intakes during the war years, I'm not sure on that.

tubman · 03-26-2021, 11:16 AM

As a "Chevy Guy", I think you are going to be a bit disappointed in the amount of information available for numbers cast and stamped on these engines. Unlike their GM cousins, it is very sparse. There are some that appear to be date codes, but the only one that is decipherable is the one stamped on the intake surface of the later 8BA blocks.( And then it is only on some of them; it is missing on many.)

We just have to enjoy these old engines for what they are : a legendary power plant.

VeryTangled · 03-26-2021, 11:26 AM

Welcome to the FordBarn Forums streetheat. You didn't ask, but...

Something that doesn't seem right to our 'modern' minds: Ford engines of this era were not factory serialized or numbered. The transmissions were. After a trans/engine was placed in a frame, the frame was stamped with the transmission number.

Your transmission's number is just above the inspection plate, nearly in the center of your photo. Cross reference that number at www.vanpeltsales.com and you can determine the year of the transmission.

GaryU. · 03-26-2021, 12:20 PM

Under the paint on the left side of the bell housing under the oil pressure sender there appears to be a rebuild tag which will give you some info. about the overbore and crank work.

Ggmac · 03-26-2021, 12:52 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetheatcustoms

Recently purchased this running flathead. I’m a Chevy guy so I know very little about this platform identification. I know it’s a 24bolt and it has the raised intake base making it second gen. There is only one set of numbers on the bell housing with X5 stamped next to it. Most I’ve seen have another set of numbers closer to the mating surface for trans. There are no numbers on front of head or timing cover. I do plan on pulling the heads to detail and ready for sale but another person says that x5 could be significant. Anyone know anything about it?

Clean up the number stamped on top of trans bellhousing its right above the inspection plate . Thats a 40 and later trans so it could be original to the motor .

V8COOPMAN · 03-26-2021, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ggmac

Clean up the number stamped on top of trans bellhousing its right above the inspection plate . Thats a 40 and later trans so it could be original to the motor .

Doubtful that those two began life TOGETHER. The two cast iron chunks are different colors, the dirt and grime patterns don't seem to match, and I don't remember either of those colors being original to anything of that vintage. But, who knows? DD

VeryTangled · 03-26-2021, 01:05 PM

Good eye Ggmac.

Streetheatcustoms · 03-26-2021, 01:28 PM

It was removed from a 38 Ford. Going off how many times the data cards been stamped I’m certain that the trans was original to the car not the engine. Is the X5 just a random number as I assume or anything to look into further?

21stud · 03-26-2021, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetheatcustoms

It was removed from a 38 Ford. Going off how many times the data cards been stamped I’m certain that the trans was original to the car not the engine. Is the X5 just a random number as I assume or anything to look into further?

Well, trans is 40 and later for sure and engine about 1941 that X5 looks just foundry mark, not stamped?

GaryU. · 03-26-2021, 01:37 PM

Sideshift transmission not a top loader so the transmission is not 1938 but 1940 or later.

V8COOPMAN · 03-26-2021, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryU.

Sideshift transmission not a top loader so the transmission is not 1938 but 1940 or later.

It would be interesting to see how they were planning to shift THAT trans in a '38 Ford. DD

Streetheatcustoms · 03-26-2021, 02:41 PM

Was on the column and if I recall and was a local hot rod for awhile engine was removed and and repowered by late model LS engine.

tubman · 03-26-2021, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetheatcustoms

Was on the column and if I recall and was a local hot rod for awhile engine was removed and and repowered by late model LS engine.

"Street Rodders - The gift that keeps on giving."

03-26-2021, 09:53 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Flathead ID X5 number The raised intake was very short lived and is most likely a 1941. There may have also been raised intakes during the war years, I'm not sure on that.

03-26-2021, 11:16 AM	#3
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Flathead ID X5 number As a "Chevy Guy", I think you are going to be a bit disappointed in the amount of information available for numbers cast and stamped on these engines. Unlike their GM cousins, it is very sparse. There are some that appear to be date codes, but the only one that is decipherable is the one stamped on the intake surface of the later 8BA blocks.( And then it is only on some of them; it is missing on many.) We just have to enjoy these old engines for what they are : a legendary power plant.

03-26-2021, 11:26 AM	#4
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: Flathead ID X5 number Welcome to the FordBarn Forums streetheat. You didn't ask, but... Something that doesn't seem right to our 'modern' minds: Ford engines of this era were not factory serialized or numbered. The transmissions were. After a trans/engine was placed in a frame, the frame was stamped with the transmission number. Your transmission's number is just above the inspection plate, nearly in the center of your photo. Cross reference that number at www.vanpeltsales.com and you can determine the year of the transmission. __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

03-26-2021, 12:20 PM	#5
GaryU. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Posts: 821	Re: Flathead ID X5 number Under the paint on the left side of the bell housing under the oil pressure sender there appears to be a rebuild tag which will give you some info. about the overbore and crank work.

03-26-2021, 01:28 PM	#9
Streetheatcustoms Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 3	Re: Flathead ID X5 number It was removed from a 38 Ford. Going off how many times the data cards been stamped I’m certain that the trans was original to the car not the engine. Is the X5 just a random number as I assume or anything to look into further?

03-26-2021, 01:37 PM	#11
GaryU. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Posts: 821	Re: Flathead ID X5 number Sideshift transmission not a top loader so the transmission is not 1938 but 1940 or later.

03-26-2021, 02:41 PM	#13
Streetheatcustoms Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 3	Re: Flathead ID X5 number Was on the column and if I recall and was a local hot rod for awhile engine was removed and and repowered by late model LS engine.