The Ford Barn - What flatheads will fit in a 1938 ford standard

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What flatheads will fit in a 1938 ford standard

Hey fellow builders I just started a 38 that has juice brakes and a 39 tranny but no motor. Will a 8 BA flathead fit or do I need to stay with an 59AB.

Re: What flatheads will fit in a 1938 ford standard

I have an 8BA in my 37 Tudor, fit is OK, I have an alternator with 13" fan attached, used a crab distributor . Zeke

Re: What flatheads will fit in a 1938 ford standard

I think the only swap that wouldn't be easy is a V8-60 into a '51-'53 Fordomatic vehicle.:D

Re: What flatheads will fit in a 1938 ford standard

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alley Kat (Post 888568)

Hey fellow builders I just started a 38 that has juice brakes and a 39 tranny but no motor. Will a 8 BA flathead fit or do I need to stay with an 59AB.

The only trick to putting an 8BA/8CM engine into an early Ford is the front motor mounts.. You'll need to use truck and/or '49-50 Merc water pumps with the '49-50 Merc motor mount spacers under the water pumps. The truck pumps will generally have wider belts than the car pumps.
You will also have to use a truck and/or Merc bell housing to adapt to your transmission..
If you use '37-39 style exhaust manifolds in lieu of late model, there will be more clearance over the steering gears..
The attached pix are of an 8BA engine in my friends '37 Ford pickup..

Re: What flatheads will fit in a 1938 ford standard

I have an 8BA in a '38 Standard Tudor. Truck water pumps/ motor mounts, stock exhaust manifolds (now Fenton headers), T-5 transmission, Walker radiator, electric fan and shroud. No problems what-so-ever.