Flatheads Fords for Beginners

Isaiah and I go over Flathead Ford information for beginners. We briefly identify the different flatheads, go over their differences. We also explain what a flathead is! What makes it a flathead, what are the downfalls to a flathead, how does it work! And much more!

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

You are providing a great service to those of us new to flatheads! Thank you very much!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

No problem! Thank you for watching!

[@christopherdaly9718]

Geeeez, blokes. I don't mean to be a negative Nancy, but, as I watched your video it seemed to me that your knowledge of the Side Valve [aka Flathead] Ford V8 was very rudimentary. The 1932 to 1954 Ford side valve V8 engine was built in four basic variants. 1. 1932 to 1936. Water pumps in the heads. Several variants along the way as well as differences between Truck & Car blocks. 221 cubic inches. 1932 had main cap bolts right up into the valve chamber. [one year only] 1936 introduced the slipper main bearings. [First year for these] 2. 21 stud engines between 1937 & about 1951. Water pumps in block. After 1939 these were more likely found in vehicles manufactured overseas, as in, the UK & Europe. Often seen in British, Ford manufactured, WW2 military vehicles. British Ford Pilot car from 1949 to '51 I believe. 221 cubic inches. 3. 24 stud Ford engines, 1939 to 1948. I believe that the first of these appeared in very late build 1938 cars. 221 cubic inches & 239 cubes after WW2. 3A. Mercury engines from 1939. These looked the same but had a larger bore for 239 cubes. The casting characters just behind one of the water pumps was a code for these engines & always contained a "9" The first of these in 1939 was "99" First number was the last digit of the year in which it was designed or upgraded, so "9" = 1939 while the second "9" is for the 239 cube Mercury. 1940 was "09" while 1941 was "19" etc. Some of these blocks had a prefix as well, so that C59 or C59A would be a Canadian casting. The 59 was the last number & was used in US Ford models as well as Mercury cars. Export Ford models after 1945 still used the 221 motor while export Mercury models used the C59A Mercury engine. At least, here they did. 4. Ford 1949 to 1954 ['53 in the US] This is the 8BA, a seriously redesigned engine. Ford finally dragged itself into the late 1930's with this one by incorporating design elements that other manufacturers, such as Chrysler & others, had been using for well over a decade. As noted in your video, these had front mounted water/thermostat housings, an accessable distributor, real engine mounts & a whole bunch more. The Mercury version had a longer [4"] stroke & the engine bore a different designation [Post 1948 is not my thing] but looked much the same as the 8BA. Looking forward to seeing your following videos on this seemingly Neanderthal, but very much loved engine family.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

I appreciate all the time it took to explain all the variants! I was trying to keep the video very generic so newcomers wouldn’t be overwhelmed with all the specific technical information

[@justinweaver8107]

​@@WiredCustomsSpeedShopwrite that down I did lol.

[@bodarville2510]

A really cool guy I knew as a kid, taught me a lot, Walt Reynolds, said of Flatheads, they have water cooled exhaust!

[@MrBrendog67rat]

Tea pot carb came on Mrecs from 49 to 53

[@TheMKEWERBY]

Zac, are the middle exhaust ports the reason why flatheads often had overheating problems?

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

There is a big misconception about Flatheads overheating, a properly tuned healthy Flathead has no issues with overheating, major reasons for overheating is improper timing, incorrect air fuel ratio, cylinders overbore too much, or coolant restrictions. I am sure sharing the center exhaust port I’m sure can make those problems worse

[@walterarnold7846]

I need help cooling the engine down if I put oil coolers down bought sides help

[@THEFLATSPOT]

Outstanding work Zac!! Keep up the great videos. Our archive is better because of people like you!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Thank you so much! No problem at all, I have two more recorded, and about to record another, a lot more Flathead stuff coming

[@600miles]

That's fun, at 2:09 showing the 3D printed engine. I took that guy's design and reduced to 50mm and printed FH key chains!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Nice! I have a 3D printed Head from a Flathead keychain

[@ricktotz4078]

Keep the flat heads junk the Ls

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

no LS here 👍🏼

[@anthonymaniz9896]

Can you help me I have a 55 mercury sedan I'm going to buy a 1934 flat head out of a truck what will I need to do

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

There could be a lot of different things going on there, find wired customs on either Instagram or Facebook and send me some pictures

[@murdoc6501]

Great stuff! Excellent explanation of flatheads for the new timer! Hoping for new videos as your content is awesome! Go Wired Customs, keep moving forward!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Thank you I appreciate it. There is a lot on here for Flathead info if you look into my playlists. Couple more coming in the next few weeks

[@CarlBright]

You need to publish that you sell header starter kits....

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

I’ve listed them on a couple Flathead pages on Facebook, but it seems like people would rather have the made in China ones, I’ve only sold 1 so far

[@caryford560]

I really love your videos. Helps a guy like me understand it all. Thanks

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

No problem! Thanks for always watching!

[@thomasgallop2105]

Found your videos thru one of the FB Flathead pages. Great videos and info. I have an off subject question. The Firehouse Barbeque truck, did you say his Barbeque business was in Manassas, VA? I searched for it online and can't find any info on it. I'm local to Manassas and wanted to try their BBQ if they were in the area.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

He currently does catering and events, he also sells larger orders personally, he doesn’t currently have an official building, if you would like to give him a call you can message me on Facebook or Instagram and I can give you his number

[@michaelsilva2863]

Hi great video , I have a flathead with the bellhousing and block is one piece missing the fuel pump, can I block off the the pump hole and run with a electric pump???

[@spallatial]

Zac, I see rusted locked up flatheads for sale for several hundred dollars. Can you talk about buying/not buying a core and what to look for, what to expect to pay, first steps to getting it unlocked? Thanks.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

No problem, I’ve talked about freeing a stuck engine in previous videos but I can make one about buying a block and mention stuck blocks for sure

[@tedstriker754]

I've watched many other flathead videos. I noticed the procedure for installing the cam followers and push rods is rather complicated and tedious. Oil filters weren't that high on their list of importance back in the day. Even now many aircraft engines only have an oil screen that unscrews. But no filter. They were still trying to figure all this stuff out when the flathead was made. Not as archaic as a Ford Model T, but still evolving. Flatheads lack enough main bearing surface area, and that shared exhaust port on each side, and the flow of the exhaust through the engine was an obvious engineering mistake. But when it came out it was only like 60hp. Some as much as 80. So it sufficed for that. But I don't see it as much of an improvement over the inline 4 in the model A or a straight inline 6. It's main attribute is its sound.

[@williamtunnell]

Brother, we have a flathead that was rebuilt and we have it installed and ready to fire, but is there some way to pre-lube everything so we’re not just turning everything over dry? It’s been about a year and a half since the rebuild and we are just now ready to fire it. Your advice on this is very much appreciated.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

What I would do is pull off the intake, and pour brake in oil all over the lifters and cam, pull all the spark plugs and pour a small amount of brake in oil in each cylinder, with all the plugs still out spin the engine over by hand, this is the simple way of doing it, something else you can do it remove the oil pressure gauge and hook up a hand pump and hand pump oil back into the block, I’ve started a lot of old sitting engines that have say for years the first way that I explained

[@williamtunnell]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop thanks Zac; much appreciated.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@williamtunnell no problem at all let me know if there is anything else I can do

[@TheShawna1]

been working on a 50' F1 my friend owns trying to figure out the Positive Ground system... the truck has been sitting in a basket the last 10 years! friend put the wiring harness back and wired up the starter switch or should i say Ignition switch...? seems to be wired Backwards the voltage appears at the ignition coil while the switch is Off voltage goes away when switched on I told him to disconnect the battery until The new 6 volt starter and solenoid comes in or the battery will run down.

[@ReallyDumbName]

Thank you for this! I’ve been digging for good flathead knowledge in hopes of one day finally getting started on my 1950 F3

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

No problem at all Tim! I have 47 videos on Flatheads 👍🏼

[@justinweaver8107]

The tea pot carb intake also accepts a small base chevy carb or ? Ive heard that from ol fellers that the mercs had same intake an they swap carbs an the power level would come up noticably idk way b4 my time lol. But god i love em. ❤ i got a 50 custom sedan. Flathead 8.

[@pondhopper24]

I have a 47 1 ton pickup with a flat 6, a 48 bread truck with a flathead 6 and a 46 bare frame truck with a flathead 8. Gonna try to get one going here this year.

[@harrycatrell1471]

Excellent video....Thank you! 'Looking forward to future installments! Be safe!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Thank you! And thank you for watching!

[@ernestcampbell7235]

Awesome! Just made an offer on my first flathead powered vehicle (1947 Ford 1/2 ton pickup with a 24 stud 239). I’m interested in rear main seal replacement tips.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

It’s fairly simple, you have the later model with the better rear main, I would highly recommend pulling the motor and replacing all seals while you’re at it

[@tomgunn8004]

Chevrolet had overhead valves when the Ford flatheads were built. Unless your talking v8s only.

[@justinweaver8107]

Cant u get a set of truck exhaust manifolds 2 run duals wit factory manifolds??

[@gregmilliken9659]

Buick always had ohv engines from their begining.

[@rickmills56]

Help me with my 8BA please. I have it mounted on a trailer to tow to shows and High Schools. This spring it started blowing water out of #1 exh so I changed the head gasket. I accidently knocked the blind hole bottom off the thermostat hold down bolt. Now all my water goes into the pan. I sealed all the new headbolts. No more water out of #1 exh.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

pull the bolt back out and use aviation permatex sealant on the threads, oil change and get back to me!

[@vintagesirvivor]

I should mention that I'm a Mopar guy. But I'm looking for a fowl weather and off season daily driver truck. I'm looking at a 48 Ford Panel. I'm trying to do as much research on the engine as possible before I go see it. You mention cracks could be possible. Would a compression test be enough to determine that? Remember I know nothing about the ford flatheads. (I have a flathead in my Mopar however which is the same year.) So, correct me if I'm wrong, but I read that in 48, for the trucks only, the bellhousing was separate. I also read that if it is a truck it would be a 8-RT and not a 8-BA. Is that correct? You mentioned that the engine mounts are different for cars and trucks. That would make me think that the engine must be a 8-BA. Right? Or am I simplifying things too much?

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

It would not, worst crack is between the valves and the cylinder, it wouldn't show up on a compression text

[@jason258]

This video is incredibly informative! I have a 1949 F5 stake truck at my old family farm in Oklahoma that I hope to get running again when I move back and retire from the army. I'm not a mechanic by trade, but I understand it and just need a little knowledge to get going. For the most part these 8BAs seem to be fairly simple. Do you have or know of a video breaking down the electronics under the hood? My F5 has most of the original wires intact and a few added on by my late uncle that I can't explain and likely need to be replaced. Also, I'm currently stationed in Alexandria, I'll have to check out that bbq next time I'm in Manassas! That truck looks awesome also!

[@justinweaver8107]

Hope its parked in the dry.

[@davidkessler74]

What would make my49f1 loap like it’s has a big cam in it? 5:33

[@scottschmittmusic]

I have gas in my oil is there a quick fix or piston ring change?

[@lowhunggarage9519]

Great video! Thank you for making this!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

I appreciate it, thank you for watching!

[@walterarnold7846]

I put ford flathead v8 in a8n ford tractor using same size radiator runs hot if I cool the oll will.it help

[@nicholasgeorge1384]

I remember back in the 1970s driving in the country and seeing many old flat head trucks dumped and rusting away in paddocks and wondering how old they really were , it's amazing that they are making a comeback , they really represent the classic V8 sound .

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

They sure do! And every day more and more parts become available, wish I could go back in time and save those trucks

[@trillmexicanz]

What’s the difference between flatheads? I just bought a 1936 Lincoln zephyr V12 for $100 and it’s in fair conditions, however I just heard of thos flat head thing.

[@dumbanddumber.6449]

If you want the most power at least for the 1950s line of flatheads you whould get a mercury becouse it’s the biggest block thay maid it wint 1950 ford car was the smallest and than ford truck was a bigger block and mercury. Was the biggest and the Lincoln has a v12

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

You can get the most power out of any of the 24 stud flatheads

[@greenhandle]

Good work again, will 8ba truck water pumps mate to a 39 or 40 truck frame mounts?

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

They sure will!

[@wtongtube]

Top work Zac. I need some advice on where to anchor the retractable shoulder seat belts for a bench seat on a 1950 Ford F1 Bonus and also the middle lap belt. Thanks.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

iff you take off the rear headliner, just behind the seat, there is a reinforced channel right there, I would drill a hole and wed in a grade 8 nut into it

[@cashobby8802]

Lost spark on my 50 ford trying to figure it out

[@butterfinger1171]

Your cabinet is upside down..

[@vdel9036]

Very interesting. Thank you. Do you have links to get more pictures of the cut off flathead we can see at 6:40 ? I'm trying to understand how and where the water flows inside the heads and the block. Both seem to be hollowed. I didn't expect it was possible to make such a difficult casting.

[@836dmar]

Sure seams like Zac got it. I glaze over when things are explained rapidly - takes a lot of repeated observation before I can own info. Sharp kid. Would be interested to see what he comes up with.

[@obizzil]

I just bought a 49 F1 hasn’t been on the road since 1965 i came right here for help. Awesome video!

[@buines2007]

when a 2nd part????

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

I’m always uploading Flathead information! I already recorded one about rebuilding carburetors, next one is Flathead Tune up and timing

[@michaelsnyder5518]

Water wetter and distilled water.

[@ivanfangio]

I need to see an EFI Ford T model

[@freddyyblock]

What’s best oil for flat head s

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Non detergent 15w40 is what I use

[@brenttuttle2692]

And high in zinc

[@jackierabbit450]

Super rabbit hole!! Yay!!

[@jameslangford4748]

Did you do a video of gutting an old generator and putting an alternator inside the old generator housing ? Neat idea.

[@thetreblerebel]

70 years now right since the flathead Ford? Guys have fucking with these engines for over 70 years

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

First Flathead was built 89 years ago, hopefully 89 years from now someone will be still messing with them

[@MrJeep75]

My friends 302 Jimmy has a t-pot carb yes they are junk

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

I’ve always heard nothing but negative stuff about them

[@MrJeep75]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop the excelrator pump love to hand up in it, he having it rebuild and see how it goes from there

[@danielbuckner2167]

Overhead valve engines were very expensive... ok. Well show me the flathead chevrolet engine. Chevrolet even outsold ford in a couple years in the late 20s and thirties!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Haha Chevy made a dozen different Flathead engines

[@danielbuckner2167]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop Id love to know what year and vehicles these came in! Thanks.

[@timothykeith1367]

GMC 270 and 302 are OHV.

[@spfunk8812]

wow!! very informative, thanks!!

[@freddyyblock]

Nice job

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Thank you!

[@steves8014]

I'm looking for a 1946-47 half ton pickup. If one has a 6 cyl, and a 3 speed, does a v8 and 4 speed bolt right up? Is it impossible to find a 4 speed? The old one I loved as a kid was a 4 speed v8, so I'd like to duplicate that exactly. Double clutching is no problem. Thanks for the informative videos.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

4 speeds are very easy to find, if you find one with a inline 6 Flathead, it will have the narrow 4 bolt pattern for the transmission, to get it from a inline 6 to a v8, you would need the engine and transmission

[@steves8014]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop Thank you, very helpful info.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@steves8014 anytime!

[@steves8014]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop So if the 47 truck V8 has a 3 speed, the 4 speed bolts right up? I have the green bible on the way, it's late from the USPS. Thanks! It's great to find experience! Oh, and where is a good place to find original parts like the 4 speed?

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@steves8014 no problem at all! Finding the transmission of course is just searching locally and on Facebook groups, finding the parts like rebuild kits are easier, I usually go through the Early Fords Store and sometimes Ecklers/Macs Auto parts, and that’s correct, if a 1947 has a V8 transmission other V8 transmissions from 38-48 are interchangeable

[@od1452]

Thanks. The screen shots help.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

No problem I am glad I can help

[@CaptBobGT62]

Excellent video Thanks

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Thank you Bob I appreciate it!

[@tacticalgenie8383]

😎😎😎

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

🤓🤓

[@StreetTruckGarage]

just the man i been looking for... New sub..

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Great! Thank you

[@StreetTruckGarage]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop got my first flat head this month, little overwhelmed :(

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@StreetTruckGarage it gets easier!

[@fredwicker5400]

Always very helpful videos

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

I make them just for you! Haha

[@slick-px4pq]

I have a 1948 F1 with a later EAC Mercury engine. It has a four speed floor shift and I'm assuming it's non synchro. It is not currently running. What are my options for a synchro transmission? Will a later T18 bolt up? New to Flatheads. Thanks

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

You can get some nice (and expensive) bell housing conversions for more modern transmissions like the T5, or an automatic like a C6, otherwise stock options are the truck 3 speed that are in 1949-1953 F1s, or cars from 1938-1939

[@slick-px4pq]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop Thank you! I do have my eye on the kit from Speedway Motors.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@slick-px4pq I haven’t done the kit myself, but a few of my friends have, if you haven’t joined the Facebook page “The Flatspot a Flathead Support Group” you should, asked on there people’s opinions about the speedway one, you might get a lot of good pointers

[@slick-px4pq]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop Thank you for that. The Speedway kit comes with a TKO which I feel is overkill. So if I can't find an original 3 speed (preferred) I may go with their adapter kit and a used T5. I've looked at Modern Driveline also and their prices are too high. Will the 36-38 3 speed you mentioned bolt up without modification? Thank you so much for your time and I enjoy your channel!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@slick-px4pq if your motor is the early style with the casted on bell housing (1934-1948) then the early transmissions will bolt right up, if your motor is the late Flathead (1949-1953) you will need the F1 bell housing, so it sounds like you have what you need but I just wanted to be clear, also just wanted to let you know the early transmissions are t strong enough for any of the big trucks with dullys etc

[@ericteager5954]

Great video Zac! 🐰🥕

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Thank you!

[@JalopiesDannerr]

Thanks for sharing. But I really don't like the click bait title, as you only go through the 24 stud engines, barely mention the 21 studed ones, and not mention the 17 studed ones, the G29T German produced, the Marmon French produced, inline 6's or 4's - they are all Ford flathead engines, just as much as these are. 😃 I really like the cut out picture, though! Great insight! 😃

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

This video was for beginners, I wasn’t trying to overwhelm someone with so many variables, these are the most commonly seen flatheads

[@JalopiesDannerr]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop, that all depends on, where you look. Not all (far from!) are so lucky to have 24 studs stashes in the neighbourhood, and as mentioned; there are plenty of other Ford flatheads, you donøt mention in the video. :-)

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

@@JalopiesDannerr you can only talk to much in one video, people don’t watch 30 minute long videos on KZbin except a handful of people, maybe I’ll have some other engines in the shop later and I’ll be able to make another video

[@JalopiesDannerr]

Looking forward to that then,@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop :-)

[@zanewilkins9548]

Do you have any videos on a flat 6 Ford out of a 1964 F100

[@Rob-fc9wg]

64 F100 did not have a flat head engine!

[@mikerayis456]

Thanks guys

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Any time!

[@jimsmirh2406]

Darn good info man.

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

Thank you! Please share

[@jimsmirh2406]

@@WiredCustomsSpeedShop I’ll share it right now.

[@johna7661]

Don’t waste money on a flathead where the water spigot is in the front of the heads because the blocks crack in the middle where the spigots in the middle used to be.

[@cockasorrus7475]

Just got my first Flatty and I picked up some great info. from your vid! Thanks brudda!

[@WiredCustomsSpeedShop]

No problem at all! Thank you for watching!

[@daddysbrokegarage]

I just pulled a 1948 ford F1 from a barn that's been sitting since 71.. turns over smooth... here we go. First flat head 8 I've ever touched hopefully this helps

[@georged1085]

How’d it go?