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Technical French Flathead casting dates - Let´s see some

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by FlatJan, Aug 29, 2021.

  1. FlatJan
    Joined: Dec 13, 2013
    Posts: 306

    FlatJan

    Hi Guys n Gals

    i´m fascinated by the French Flathead and the period it was made.
    On the bellhousing there is the foundry date cast in.
    Let´s see some!
    In Vern´s Flathead-book we see 18.10.1987
    Anyone got newer?

    Here are some of mine
    11.02.1970
    110270.jpg

    13.05.1975
    130575.jpg

    31.07.1980
    310780.jpg


    11.04.1986
    110486.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2021
    Desoto291Hemi and Stogy like this.
  2. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Hard to believe they were still making them till then...I wonder if they mothballed the equipment used in production or smelted it all after the last of the run occurred?
     
    Desoto291Hemi likes this.
  3. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,144

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    The title would be (in my opinion) more accurately stated if it said "casting" date instead of "pouring" date, if it matters maybe a moderator could fix it for you.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2021
    FlatJan likes this.
  4. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas


  5. FlatJan
    Joined: Dec 13, 2013
    Posts: 306

    FlatJan

    @DDDenny
    thanks for the hint. i think I'll have to work on my technical vocabulary.
    cast didn't come to my mind.. so now i guess I'll have to cast errr pour me a glass ;)
     
    stillrunners likes this.
  6. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,144

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

  7. panheadguy
    Joined: Jan 8, 2005
    Posts: 1,086

    panheadguy
    Member
    from S.E. WI

    Mine are a bit different than those shown. My casting numbers don't make sense to me. Numbers on the right side of the block below exhaust ports show 30 1 63....So I interpret this to mean 1/30/1963. Anyone able to interpret the info on the aluminum tag? I have the heads off and the bores are 1.4mm o/s (.050") 100_0542.JPG 100_0543.JPG 100_0544.JPG
     
  8. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    Looks like it was rebuilt in 1991
     
  9. FlatJan
    Joined: Dec 13, 2013
    Posts: 306

    FlatJan

    rebuilt in 91
    third over on cylinders
    crankshaft on first under in block and on conrod

    this would be the typical order on a french rebuild plaque
    std would mean standard
    20210831_123601.jpg
     
  10. panheadguy
    Joined: Jan 8, 2005
    Posts: 1,086

    panheadguy
    Member
    from S.E. WI

    Thanks for ending the mystery. The tag was illedgible. I measured the bores and found them 1.14mm o/s but have no desire to open a good running engine. Sadly it was not a 4" crank... but it was relieved.
     
    FlatJan likes this.
  11. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 2,469

    SS327

    I thought STD in French meant something else. :oops:
     
  12. fullhouse296
    Joined: Jan 30, 2009
    Posts: 404

    fullhouse296
    Member
    from Australia

    Question ,outa the blue . Is it possible on these blocks ,to run a distributer in the rear casting that usually held the governer/tacho thingy ? looks like the ww2 german blocks that had this feature .
     
  13. panheadguy
    Joined: Jan 8, 2005
    Posts: 1,086

    panheadguy
    Member
    from S.E. WI

    While we are thinking about French flatheads... Is there anything good or bad about the heads they came with? FMA casting marks?
     
  14. Also OT but are they as prone to cracks as the original 1932 - 1952 blocks?
     
  15. big duece
    Joined: Jul 28, 2008
    Posts: 6,830

    big duece
    Member
    from kansas

    The French did major improvements to the block. Higher nickel content, thicker webbing around the mains, thicker cylinder walls...
     
  16. Ratspit
    Joined: Dec 6, 2017
    Posts: 287

    Ratspit
    Member

    This one says 09 - 15 - 87

    flathead 2.jpg
     

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