New to me video French block vs 8BA,59AB

[corvette8n]

https://youtu.be/WfIwQpxbeAE?si=aaEhgMxaVlf-5N6u

Difference between French, 8BA, and 59a, I learned a lot.

[Shoebox]

Interesting, informative video. I was surprised the French blocks use SAE hardware.

[Tim Ayers]

Thank you for sharing. Makes me want to hunt down on these French blocks.

[big deuce]

Casting date on mine is 1978...they didn't mention in the video that there are clearances in the lower end of the block for more stroke than the 4" crank. I didn't realize the exhaust studs were wet... I have read to leave the studs in, don't even think about trying to remove them if you get one with exhaust studs. I just got 10mm nuts for the metric end of the stud. The timing cover has a thrust bushing with a locknut to prevent cam walk.

[Rockymountainsparky]

That was a great video. Very informative. Thanks for posting.

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by big deuce

Casting date on mine is 1978...they didn't mention in the video that there are clearances in the lower end of the block for more stroke than the 4" crank. I didn't realize the exhaust studs were wet... I have read to leave the studs in, don't even think about trying to remove them if you get one with exhaust studs. I just got 10mm nuts for the metric end of the stud. The timing cover has a thrust bushing with a locknut to prevent cam walk.

More excellent pictures here > https://www.35pickup.com/FrenchFlathead.html

[Wangstang]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

YoutubeVideo (I've been around the Garage Journal for years, along with several other car forums, but I've finally opened an account profile here so I'm new to this forum and the system won't let me quote the link)

Difference between French, 8BA, and 59a, I learned a lot.

Thanks for sharing this. Working on a 46 ford with the potential to need a new engine block and I think the French block may work out for me.


I've been doing some reading and I get the impression that the 48-53'ish flathead blocks that were built for use in the F2 and larger series trucks used a block similar to the French design. Is that good information or bad information?

[alchemy]

Bad information.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Wangstang

Thanks for sharing this. Working on a 46 ford with the potential to need a new engine block and I think the French block may work out for me.


I've been doing some reading and I get the impression that the 48-53'ish flathead blocks that were built for use in the F2 and larger series trucks used a block similar to the French design. Is that good information or bad information?

Unless it has one of those big flatheads (339 c.i. or something like that), they all got the same blocks. As Alchemy stated, you got some incorrect info.