Flathead experts, I need immediate advice.

[Donzie]

I am going in the morning to look at 2 (supposedly) complete motors w/trannies. I have been told that they were in trucks and believed to be 1953s. The guy said that they ran the numbers on one and it's a Lincoln. One, at least, is still in a truck chassis (he thinks a 1 1/2 ton). They have been drained and covered up (though setting outside).
I can get these real cheap. What should I look for? Even if the blocks were cracked, as I've heard that's common with flattys, is the rest of the motor/tranny still have much value?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[side_valve]

Real cheap is good - even if the block is shot the stuff you can unbolt is worth a few $

[CrazyDaddy]

The 1 1/2-ton trucks have larger blocks than the passenger blocks, and speed equip is rare. They're also called Lincoln blocks. I don't know of any parts that interchange with the 8BA, etc. ('49-'53 passenger). The trans for these is only valuable to a restorer.

[Elmo Rodge]

Nothing I know of interchanges with an 8BA. I see it being a fairly expensive toy. BTW, 337 inches. Wayno

[Donzie]

So, if they're Lincoln motors then don't bother with them?
Even in stock configuration they're not worth using? Of course that may only be one of them. If the other was in a smaller truck or pickup would that be something worth having? I know it's hard to know without knowing exactly what motors these are but the guy has to get them off the property tomarrow so I won't have time to do research on 'em. That's why I was hoping for some info as to what's good and what's not.

[Jim Marlett]

The big Lincoln/Truck motors were a breed unto themselves. Some hot rod parts were made for them - I've seen heads and 2x2 intakes - but they are a bit hard to find. Restorers must rebuild them with parts from somewhere, but I don't know where. Nothing wrong with trying to hot rod one, but I wouldn't make it my first flathead project unless you are pretty seriously dedicated to the cause. Look for the numbers and letters cast into the heads. 8EQ were the 337ci truck motors and it seems like the Lincoln version of the motor had an L in that combination somewhere, but I can't remember where. Maybe 8QL or LEQ or something. I'm sure someone will straighten that out for me. On the other hand, if the heads say EAB, 8BA, 8RT, 8CM, or EAC then you are home free. Those are the standard late model flatheads with the last two being Mercury. However, don't think it is a guaranteed Mercury with a 4" crank just because it has Merc heads. A Ford can easily hide under Merc heads and some scabs have even done it on purpose just to fool their buddies or to scam some unsuspecting buyer.

[mtflat]

Not trying to be a smart-elbow, but the only flatheads that came in any trucks in '52 were the 254 six and 239 V8 let alone '53. So I doubt they came out of '53 1 1/2 tons. The OHV's were 215 six, 279 and 317 V8's for the rest of the '52 line up. (Shop Manual)

Only the big trucks pre-52 and lincolns had the big flatty - 337 cid. It came in the F7 & F8's which were the 2 1/2 and 3 ton models. Models up thru 2 tons used the 239. ('48 Operator's Manual) The 337 weighs about the same as a 429/460 - more weight than most want to run in a light car.

Look for the numbers the other guys posted. I'll haul any flatty home rather than see it go to the dump, but I have some that will never see use in a car. Too badly cracked? Shop display or cut up to reveal internal structure, etc.

[Donzie]

Thanks for all the help. I'll print this out and check the numbers. I'll let ya know tomarrow how I made out.

[cadlights]

Check the color of the block, if it is OD olive drab
it is a motor Ford put out in the sixties. They repoped
a bunch just for the farm trucks. I have one in my 49 sedan

that came out of a 53 F 350 flat bed. Good motor. Same as the 8BA. The farmer down the road gave it to me, said he might need a favor some day. All I had to do was hone it
and ring it. That was 22 years ago. Oh! I did do the valves
just cause.

[kustombuilder]

if they are any good maybe we can doa little trade for a Nailhead??? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[fuel pump]

Donnie,
Keep me in mind too http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[fullhouse296]

Ford ,repopped these bohemouths in the sixties ,for farm trucks? Seriously. Dont think so ,Trev.

[Dale Fairfax]

Assuming you're talking about Fords, if they are indeed '53 models and not any larger than 1 1/2 ton, they will have 239" Flatheads in them. The 239 was used thru the F-600 model which was a 2 ton. 2 1/2 ton F-700 and 3 ton F-800 had the large Lincoln based engine but in 1953 those would have been O.H.V. 317s. The 337 " Lincoln Flathead was last used in '51 F-7 & F-8 trucks. (In '53 Ford adopted the "100" designations: F-1 became F-100; F-7 became F-700,etc.)

quote=Donzie;18183]I am going in the morning to look at 2 (supposedly) complete motors w/trannies. I have been told that they were in trucks and believed to be 1953s. The guy said that they ran the numbers on one and it's a Lincoln. One, at least, is still in a truck chassis (he thinks a 1 1/2 ton). They have been drained and covered up (though setting outside).
I can get these real cheap. What should I look for? Even if the blocks were cracked, as I've heard that's common with flattys, is the rest of the motor/tranny still have much value?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.[/quote]

[AlbuqF-1]

Seems kind of late to dredge this old thread up... the Search feature is a double edge sword!

[Dale Fairfax]

I got sucked in-didn't check the date (s) of the original.