Strange Flathead

[Ol' Ron]

Recently I was asked if You could run a set of Offy 8ba heads on a 59AB block?? his brings up a good question, What's interchangeable between the early and latr flatheads? Back in the 60;s the place to get your engines build was "Bill Barths" He did them all. While iwas running a 59 engine in the stock car I had a chance to buy a set of welded up 8BA heads he had. I said too bad they won't work on y engine. He said , why not?? what an education I got. Everything the fits on a 8ba will work on a 59 and visa verses.. Ya just have to plug a fuel holes. Cams, cranks, rods, valves etc so If you have a chance to buy a nice set of 59 heads for your 8ba block, go for it!!!!
The best newa is the cam swap 8ba cam in a 59 block and you cam run one of Charley;s distributors. or just a Load a matic.
Kinda opens up a whopens up a new world of engine building. Especially the new water pumps/

Gramps

[Ol' Ron]

Over 200 lerkers and no questions. Just trying to save yous guys some money to keep the old gurl runnin.
Gramps

[pistonbroke]

Crank shafts? 8CM into a AB ?

[Ol' Ron]

Merc cranks fit in any block from38 up- 2.5 main check for rod clearamce.

[Mart]

I've done it the other way around, Ron. Early heads on a French block which shares the 8BA design on the head face. I just had to plug one hole using a plug that can be filed flat after fitting. I plugged the other 3 holes just because I could.

[Ol' Ron]

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Sometimes when your assembling an engine you have to think. Then you become a builder.
Gramps

[hotrodcbx]

Many of Mark Kirbys (RIP) 0f Motor City Flathead were done this way. 8BA block with 59A heads. Just a couple of holes to plug. My engine from Mark came this way in the early 1990s. Still running great...

[Ol' Ron]

I do this mostly with water pumps, the 8RT & 8BA pumps are so much better than the early ones and easer to find.
Gramps

[bluardun]

It's common to put 59A heads on an 8BA block but putting a 1/8" plug in the bypass hole i the front of the block, And using 59A water pumps. I don't know why you couldn't put a plug in the 8BA head, and use the 59A water pumps. The main advantage to use the 8BA head is the water out let in in the front of the head. Some racers put the 8BA heads on backwards, so the water had to circulate entirely thru the engine. To answer your question; Yes

[AK 32]

I have a 8BA that I assembled to fit in my 34 using a mix and match of 59A and 8BA . I used water pumps from a 59A with sealed bearings to deal with the oiling of the originals. I read lots of post of Ol’Rons and went for it . 5 years later the concoction is still running strong . I always enjoy reading Rons post and threads . I’ve learned a lot over the years .
Thanks Ron!!

[Ol' Shady]

Not to hi-jack your thread, but you have been around for a while, and I am looking for information/specs on a 59 cam marked on the nose with G-14. I think in the Ohio area. Thanks for any info.