hey anyone know any information about the numbers 8RT stamped on the head of a flattie? found this one under a junker truck and dont know anything about it.

 

Just your garden variety truck head for the late series flathead. Nothing special about them - 8RT was truck designation while 8BA was for cars. Similar compression chamber in both.

FWIW: from the studying I've done the only difference between car and truck engines seems to be bolt-on appliances. Waterpumps, pulley system, oil filter location, etc. Possible cam difference, but only marginal at best.

 

alrighty.well im only 17, and i dont know a whole lot about flatties, bu i do know a few things. would it be all that hard to tear down one and rebuild them?or say harder than a regular v8? this articular one has a topshift 3 or 4 speed hooked to it, but its locked up. would the tranny be worth saving, or just toss it?

 

Welcome to flatheads. The best answer - is a complicated one. Simply, flatheads are no harder to rebuild than other engines. Only difference is the valves are in the block instead of the heads. Transmissions: big difference if its a 3 or 4 spd. Most likely any truck 3 spd you'll find is synchronized. If it's 4 most likely it's not synchro'd. I wouldn't throw it away - someone probably needs it.

Flatheads are tough - even locked up doesn't mean it's scrap. However if they are rusted or cracked beyond repair its not worth the trouble. You need to find someone locally who knows flatheads to take a look at it for you.

Check into these other websites that specialize in flathead engines.

http://groups.msn.com/FordFlathead19...pgmarket=en-us

fordbarn.com

 

alrighty. well this engine is moldy,grimmy, looks like crap. haha. but from what i could see it was all there except distributor. what would be the better trans, 3 or 4? lookin at puttin it in a hot rod.

 

I'd try for a 3 spd if possible or better yet get an adapter and run a T5 to give you OD for the highway.

I run a 3 spd HD trans in my '48 F1. The only advantage a 4 spd gives you is a granny low - you'll still use it like a 3 spd.

 

yea i have a 3spd in a 79 ford f100. column shift, but its a heck of a lot of fun to drive.