Need help identify my flathead !

[31sadan]

I bought a flathead for my 34 ford truck.This is what I know:24 stud heads with 59A-B,distributor goes straight in the front,block has B2333and 59 on the back.I was told it was a merc motor,How can I tell?Any help will be appreciated

[Deuce Rails]

When you talk to the seller, it's always a "Merc" motor. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Is it possible to identify a 4" crank if you measure piston travel (stroke) accurately?

--Matt

[MBL]

During that time I think 46-48 the motors were the same. The Merc deal starts at 49 I think...Bruce will be on here shortly to correct my statements.
Tim
MBL

[Digger_Dave]

Check here for more I.D. information ...

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm

If it has 21 studs it's unlikely to be a Merc engine. 21 stud engines were discontinued in 1938, Merc didn't start until 1939 and were 24 stud. (unless someone made some major modifications to your 21 stud to use a 4" Merc crank)

[Deuce Rails]

Dave, he said "24" studs. But you're absolutely right: the 4" stroke crank came in 1949. (But I'm still wondering aloud whether you can tell the crank throw from the stroke distance with the engine still in the car...)

The engine is a 1938 to 48 59AB. It could be either a Ford or a Mercury based on your description so far.

What does the distributor look like? More like a diving helmet, or more like a crab?

Pull the heads and check the bore. If it's stock, 3-3/16" should be right for 239 cubic inches (whether it's a Mercury or a late Ford--they're all the same.) If it's 3-1/16" then it's definitely a Ford.

--Matt

[31sadan]

Thanks for the help so far.The motor was supposely new,It ran great and drove good.I don't think this person would shit me on purpose,But I know nothing about flatheads except They have always looked cool to me.I like the look of this distributor better,now I'll go see if it looks like a crab!Thanks!

[Smokin Joe]

All flatheads are Mercs and all SBC's came out of Corvettes. That's the first thing you learn talking to sellers. Hell, I had a guy wanting to sell me a 64 Corvette 454 engine last week. It's in a Blazer right now. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Heads and cranks could be from another engine too. You never know till you open them up. 59 A-B on the heads say Ford 46-48. It's easy to put a 4" 49-53 Merc crank in it and someone may have done that. Pre 49 Merc cranks are 3 3/4 inches just like the Ford so there's no advantage to them.

[TV]

Pull one of the heads, and see if it has the keystone water jacket holes in the block. But that only tells you if the block is a Merk. Dosen't mean somebody didn't remove the crank at overhaul like the one I had that I bought as a Merk. With the head off measure the stroke.--TV http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Flat Ernie]

An all original 24-stud, 59A-style block will have 3-3/4" stroke. But that don't mean jack...parts get swapped, lies get told. Pop a head off & measure the stroke of a piston...it's a FLATHEAD fer crissakes! How hard can it be? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Digger_Dave]

Opps, thought that said 21 stud. (need to clean my glasses more often!)

IDENTIFIYING MERC CRANKS STILL IN THE ENGINE:

Pop the pan, roll the crank till one of the LARGE counter weights is accesable, measure ACROSS the flats. (side to side, at right angles to the center line of the crank)

If the distance across the flats is UNDER 6 inches; it's a Ford 3 3/4" stroke crank.

If the distance across the flats is OVER 6 inches: it is a Merc 4" stroke crank.

For the sludge plug size method of identification, (small plug Ford, large plug Merc, be carefull, there ARE MERC cranks with a small sludge plugs. (ask av8, I sent him one last year)

Canadian Merc cranks can easily identified by the rectangular "dimple" on the outside of the front counterweight.

[31sadan]

Flat ernie I plan to pull the head tonight,I known it sounds dumd,but i wanted to read up on flatheads a little.Hell who knows what might fly out of there!LOL!again thanks for the help!

[mtflat]

If you're not familiar with flatheads, here's an important tip! Use an air wrench on the head bolts/nuts. It works much better and you won't have to ask how to get the broken bolts/studs out of the block.