The Ford Barn

ford35lh · 08-23-2021, 12:11 AM

I have had this engine for many years
and started to take it apart for rebuild.
The intake is cast 8BA - 8RT .

How can I ID the block ???

flatford8 · 08-23-2021, 12:51 AM

Mac Vanpelts website. “vanpeltsales.com”. Click on Engine ID in the blue tool bar at the top of the page. Tons of free info on this site.......Mark

51 MERC-CT · 08-23-2021, 01:39 AM

Based on the 8RT intake code it could be as early as 1948 pickup truck but without seeing the other accessory's such as water pumps etc. there are limited ways to determine year.

It may or may not have a date code stamped on the rear passenger side of the intake mount surface.

tubman · 08-23-2021, 10:34 AM

The only significance differences in all of the 8BA series blocks (including the Mercury's) is that the later passenger car blocks do not have hardened valve seats, some have them on the exhaust only, others don't have any at all. Other than that, there is no real difference. So block choice has more to do with how you want to do your valvetrain than with the engine you're starting with. If the numbers "51 MERC" is referring to aren't there, this is about the only way to (approximately) date the block.

rotorwrench · 08-23-2021, 11:20 AM

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The later blocks usually have a 1BA casting mark down in the tappet galley. This usually indicated the late type rotator valves and the crankshaft with the larger flange bore to work with the automatic transmissions if installed. As was mentioned, all the basic blocks are pretty much the same and can use any of the moving components and accessories used in the 8BA family era. A mercury crankshaft and pistons will make it a 255 CID engine but it will need Mercury accessories to fit a Mercury car. It's pretty much the same thing with Ford cars and trucks.

08-23-2021, 12:11 AM	#1
ford35lh Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Upstate; The Real New York Posts: 443	ID a 50's flathead I have had this engine for many years and started to take it apart for rebuild. The intake is cast 8BA - 8RT . How can I ID the block ???

08-23-2021, 12:51 AM	#2
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	Re: ID a 50's flathead Mac Vanpelts website. “vanpeltsales.com”. Click on Engine ID in the blue tool bar at the top of the page. Tons of free info on this site.......Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

08-23-2021, 01:39 AM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: ID a 50's flathead Based on the 8RT intake code it could be as early as 1948 pickup truck but without seeing the other accessory's such as water pumps etc. there are limited ways to determine year. It may or may not have a date code stamped on the rear passenger side of the intake mount surface. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

08-23-2021, 10:34 AM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: ID a 50's flathead The only significance differences in all of the 8BA series blocks (including the Mercury's) is that the later passenger car blocks do not have hardened valve seats, some have them on the exhaust only, others don't have any at all. Other than that, there is no real difference. So block choice has more to do with how you want to do your valvetrain than with the engine you're starting with. If the numbers "51 MERC" is referring to aren't there, this is about the only way to (approximately) date the block.

08-23-2021, 11:20 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: ID a 50's flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The later blocks usually have a 1BA casting mark down in the tappet galley. This usually indicated the late type rotator valves and the crankshaft with the larger flange bore to work with the automatic transmissions if installed. As was mentioned, all the basic blocks are pretty much the same and can use any of the moving components and accessories used in the 8BA family era. A mercury crankshaft and pistons will make it a 255 CID engine but it will need Mercury accessories to fit a Mercury car. It's pretty much the same thing with Ford cars and trucks.