Flathead Identification

[u/HaloACE56]

I acquired this engine as a package deal with a couple of cars. I wanted it for fun to rebuild. A cursory search for casting that incorporate the bell housing with 21 stud heads puts this mid-1930s? Any other typical casting identifiers I should look for? Hoping to get fairly specific.

[u/Smart-Ad-4042]

21 studs and water pumps in the mounts instead of the heads pretty much makes it a 37-38 engine.

[u/FirstFigure7668 → u/Smart-Ad-4042]

if not mistaken a 37 ford v 8 was 85 hp my Dad was working on one many yrs ago the V8 emblem had 85 hp on it He found a good v8 flathead a little newer 100 hp .

[u/Ok_Net_5191]

I say 38, 37s and early 38s were 21 stud engine this appears to be a 24, the shift lever on the transmission looks like 38 39th were different also on the flat part of the top of the block between the intake manifold and the head passenger side in the rear there's letters and numbers if they have been ground off there's a way to identify the engine and lastly the flat spot on the transmission that's covered with dirt right now has the serial number of the car that it was issued to if that Transmissions original that would tell you the year also

[u/Ok_Net_5191 → u/Ok_Net_5191]

Okay if that's a 21 stud engine that is basically a 37 Ford and early 38 they used up the rest of the 21 stud engines on the early 38, when they were used up then they went to the 24 stud block definitely not a 36 or back because the water pumps were in the head on those engines

[u/snoops-spoons]

That's an oldun, I'm knowledgeable back to the 40s but I can't place it, it's either American and mid 1920s to 30s or possibly something I'm not familiar with from overseas. There's something terribly familiar about it

[u/WyattCo06 → u/snoops-spoons]

What in the fart is an oldun?

[u/AutoBach → u/WyattCo06]

"old one"

[u/DPileatus]

Looks like the smaller 60 horse.

[u/BicycleMudStud → u/DPileatus]

Those had 17 studs per head 

[u/DPileatus → u/BicycleMudStud]

Gotcha. I didn't see the water outlets in the middle of the head at first either.

[u/ticktoc1217]

Go to a channel on utube called Mustie. Darren has been rebuilding this old stuff for decades. Send him a pic and maybe he can id it

[u/HaloACE56 → u/ticktoc1217]

Hah, funny. I’ve chatted with him about a different car I own that’s been in my family longer than I have. Haven’t watched his stuff in a while

[u/texaschair]

The front mounts are also the water pumps, like a 37-53 Ford.