Help Identify V8

[JimmyMiller]

Rookie here! Been reading a lot and still a lil bit confused.

36 dump truck. ( i think). Frame stamp by steering gearbox
BB18 2432399

Engine: see attached photos. 21 stud, 2 water petcocks at 45 degree angle.
Water pumps are on the heads. Block water pump locations plated off.
If there is a crank vent at front oil pan corner, i cant see it due to grease.
Have found a few stamps on top of block, but no “LB”.

1. What is the year of this engine?

Everything has dual belt pulleys, except the generator has a single belt pulley.
Fan is attached to generator.

2. So did they only run one belt?

Cleaned plugs; marvel oil in cyls, set points total dwell, and it runs pretty good.
I will pull her down and go thru it.

3. Radiator has a semi circle tank on top to match the high mount of fan
On gen. Is this right?

I enjoy reading all your wisdom, just hoping yall could help me dial it in.

Jimmy
Gulfport,Ms

[Ken T]

Me being a Rookie also, I asked the same question recently. The guys here told me to look on the bellhousing and there will be a number there to identify the motor. I took the cover on the floorboard of my truck to look at it. Not sure if your truck is the same.

IMG_9540.jpg IMG_9528.jpg

[ford38v8]

That is a ‘37 or ‘38 engine. No other 21 stud had front block water pump location. The block off plates were a ford part available to provide newer short blocks for older bolt-ons.

Ken, the large 59 on your bell housing is the only ID in that location that identifies engines, which tells you that your block is from ‘45 to ‘47.

[NealinCA]

With the water pump block off plates, that would make it a 37-38 engine with early heads installed

[JimmyMiller]

Crank and water pumps set up for dual belts.

But fan is on gen; So only one belt can be used.

Just used what they had? Or truck modified over the years?

[JimmyMiller]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Storming here. Will pull floor tomm

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by NealinCA

With the water pump block off plates, that would make it a 37-38 engine with early heads installed

[NealinCA]

Originally Posted by JimmyMiller

Crank and water pumps set up for dual belts.

But fan is on gen; So only one belt can be used.

Just used what they had? Or truck modified over the years?

The generator pulley should be double groove as well on a truck. Generator was likely replaced at some point with "what they had", thus the single groove pulley.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by JimmyMiller

Storming here. Will pull floor tomm

Jimmy, perhaps I didn't make my post clear. Your engine is a 37-38 which was supplied as a short block replacement for your truck. Your bolt-ons such as the heads and manifolds are from the original '36 engine. The generator fan mount and radiator are correct for your truck. Don't bother to pull the inspection plate at the bell housing, you'll find no marks on your bell housing other than mold marks that mean nothing.

[richard crow]

37 38 eng best flathead ever built

[Cool Kat with Hot Car]

Richard, who do you consider the 37/8 engines the best?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Cool Kat with Hot Car

Richard, who do you consider the 37/8 engines the best?

[glennpm]

Lots of flathead engine info here


https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/985i6...xw1jq&e=1&dl=0


Glenn

[JimmyMiller]

Thank you for this!!

Reckon i will just run one belt; will go to neg gnd 12v so maybe i can find alternator kit that has a dual pulley.

[JimmyMiller]

Another question:

I notice heads with rad hose in diff locations.

Which scenario of water pumps and heads yields the coolest engine?

Like: block water pumps & hose in center of head?

But. Block water pumps require newer dist?

Im not gonna work truck hard, but slow parades can be tough on em too.

Thanks everyone!

[Ol' Ron]

Not long ago I built a 59 block up withall 8ba parts. This was to imcrease preformance and save money. Block was bored to 3 5/16 8ba rods & ege pistond Eab cam & heads loadamatic dist and carb. Put it together for lassthan 3K and made alittle profit. Yes, I plug the hole.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by JimmyMiller

Another question:

I notice heads with rad hose in diff locations.

Which scenario of water pumps and heads yields the coolest engine?

Like: block water pumps & hose in center of head?

But. Block water pumps require newer dist?

Im not gonna work truck hard, but slow parades can be tough on em too.

Thanks everyone!

1936 water pumps in the heads were the last of that configuration. Block mounted pumps began in 1937 and continued for the rest of flathead production. Either way works well, any cooling issues best addressed with water passage cleanout and radiator rebuild. Your choices are simple: keep what you have or get '37-'38 heads and block mounted pumps. For this you'll need flex hoses for the center mount outlets. No distributor change required either way.

[Model51]

Welcome to Fordbarn. It would be great to see a couple pictures of your truck.

If you want a resource of information about your truck (a Model 51 if it's really a dump truck) consider buying a copy of the 1935-36 Model 51 Truck book from the Early Ford V8 Club. It's $60 plus shipping which is some change, but it has lots of info.
https://shop.efv8.org/collections/fo...-shipping-rate

I'm happy to try and answer any questions you might have.

Dave

[ndnchf]

I just so happen to have the correct, restored 2 belt generator and cutout for your truck. Here are a couple photos. PM me if interested. I can also email a video of it running on my test stand

Steve

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I just so happen to have the correct, restored 2 belt generator and cutout for your truck. Here are a couple photos. PM me if interested. I can also email a video of it running on my test stand

Steve