Ford flatheads

ken in texas · Nov 15, 2008

How many of us knew that the Ford flathead engines continued to be built and used by the french in military trucks unti a few years ago.They are considered to be a better engine than the orignal ford,but have 24 volt systems and several other changes,but are interchangable with46 to 48 flatheads.They are being sold by some US dealers and British surplus dealers.This was a big suprise when I first read about it.There is a web site ,but Ihave forgoten it.

Janicholson · Nov 15, 2008

Far out. A celebrated engine V8 for the common man. Mediocre at the very best, and down right weak kneed in the main and rod area with heating problems associated with exhaust ports flowing through so much water jacket. Oh well, nice history lesson. Aluminum Buick V8s being used in rovers! JimN

71ford100 · Nov 15, 2008

Looks to be true:http://flatheaddrag.com/french.html

Walt Davies · Nov 15, 2008

Worst piece of junk I ever owned was dumb enough to own two of them. a 34 pickup and a 50 4 door car
Walt

Ole Shovel · Nov 16, 2008

Would be interesting to see the French trucks. This is one of our bomb hauler trucks that used two Ford engines.
Thorco Dual Engine Ford Truck

Anonymous-0 · Nov 16, 2008

Ive owned 8 flathead Fords and still have the first one I bought in 1955.I drove a 53 pickup that was near new for a small trucking co.Wish I had one now.

El Toro · Nov 16, 2008

Those dirt tract drivers and moon shine haulers would disagree with you on those flat head Fords.

When Bonnie & Clyde were on the run and robbing banks he stole a 1934 Ford then wrote a letter to Henry Ford how great that car ran. Ford did have a problem with their 1954 engines with overhead valves. Cam lobes were wearing off in 12k miles.
Chevy 283 and 327 cid engines had some lobe problems too. Hal

Anonymous-0 · Nov 16, 2008

There was a good article in Rod and Custom magazine a few months back about how to select a good flathead for a street rod.French flatheads were mentioned.Argus Duntov designed an overhead valve conversion for them also.

Crem · Nov 16, 2008

That is funny that you mention a 1953 pickup. In the last month, I pulled a 1953 Ford pickup out of a ditch on the home farm. It somehow was left out of gear back in 1966 and rolled down the hill and was totaled on a tree. It sat down there all of these years and a lot of parts were removed over those years. It was 150' from the field so it took a lot of cable to get it out. There isn"t much left, but I have hopes of saving the engine. It is froze up but it looks like the crankshaft should be OK if it was originally OK.

dave guest · Nov 16, 2008

Got a 54 ford with ohv 6. Original engine never torn down with 75K miles. V8 was bad for oil delivery, some places made kits to get oil to rocker shafts. My ford screams for the age of it. Still burn rubber shifting to second gear. Replaced couple of seals in 30 years. And clutch, and batts and water pumps and fuel pumps. Had a couple flathead V8's. Seemed Ok for me ran real strong. If you listened to 6 volt cranking, you probably thought it would never start. Idling very quiet, like a clock.

Ford flatheads

ken in texas

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Janicholson

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71ford100

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Walt Davies

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Ole Shovel

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Anonymous-0

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El Toro

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Anonymous-0

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Crem

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dave guest

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