Inliners International Forums General Discussion Ford Flathead Ford six recommendations

Back in the '50s I had a couple of 226 flathead Ford engines...a '49 and a '51 and I rebuilt them both, with moderate performance up-grades. Both were dependable and sounded great with headers, duals and Smitty's.

I also know that there were other versions of these engines for trucks, with larger displacements, but have no experience with them. I also don't have any references with truck data. Does anyone have any experience with those engines and do you know what is their potential for street use?

Hi Dennis,
I'm not quite clear what you need as references, but I have this info from a service manual.
6 Cylinder L Head Bore Inches H(226) 3.3
M(254) 3.5
Stroke H & M 4.4
Piston Displacement
in Cubic Inches H 226
M 254
Horse Power(Taxable) H 26.13
M 29.4
The only experience I've had with a Ford was with the flathead V8, so I can't help you much on the L6.

Okay, I just found a little more info.
1948-1951 Truck and car:
rated HP 226ci 95HP
254ci 110HP
1952 Truck
rated HP 254ci 112HP

The 52 car and truck also had a 215ci available rated at 101 HP.

Thanks, Drew.

I have specs on the car versions, but nothing on the trucks.

I remember a fellow who had a '51 ton and a half Ford truck with a "big" FH six in it, back when I was a kid. He hauled oranges and grapefruit and could out pull a V8 on the hills. I was wondering if it was a larger block than the 226, or the same size... thinking it might be a good 'cheater' engine for a car that had the 226.

Yes, I'm aware of the 215 OHV Fords. With just a little work it would really BUZZ! That was an excellent engine and I have been out-run by more than one of them on the drag strip!

I have another shop type manual out in the garage somewhere. that might deal with the bigger trucks. If I find any other specs on the F4,5,or 6 I'll post them.

Thanx, Drew

I'll check back.

Dennis, Sorry, but I can't find the other manual I was looking for to get additional specs for you.Maybe someone borrowed it. An old mind is a terrible thing to waste. :rolleyes: May be I need a beer.

Thanks, anyway Drew.

I appreciate your efforts. I got ahold of some oldtimers who convinced me that I'd be better off with a Dodge, or Plymouth engine...More stuff available and they say they're stronger than the Fords. I've never built a MOPAR flathead before, but the more I see of them the more i want to build one.

Okay,good. You'll have Don Coatney and Blueskies jumping in for sure. They both have really neat stuff.

Dennis
The 254 block is the same size as the 226. Intake and headers ect. will interchange. I have an old friend who raced the 254 in jalopy type dirt cars back in the 50's. He won more than his share of races competing with flathead V8's and chrysler sixes with some Hudsons thrown in the mix. He and his son are racing a 32 chevy coupe vintage jalopy now. I will try to post a pic of a set of headers and intake manifold that I built fo him. In fact I just finished them.The VHT paint is drying now.I like the saying [if you cant buy it,build it] These old engines can make a bunch of horse power.
Later
Andy

Andy

Thanks so much for the photo and information! I love this old stuff, having never technically progressed past 1959, I feel right at home with flat heads.

I too believe in "Don't buy it, if you can build it" I made the intake and headers for my Model A, as well as accelerator petal, motor mounts, linkage, etc, etc. (See Inliner rides)

The intake/exhaust for the engine in the photo look great and I'd love to hear that sucker run!

Had a 226 in a '42 pickup I sold last year, Still have an NOS 3/4 race ISKY cam and a manual laying around for it.

A Ford Ebay find http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FENTON-IN...1QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone know if this is a 226 intake? The ports are approx 1.5" I just bought it on EBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...07866339&rd=1,1

I don't think it is. The four ports is correct, but I think the flanges are different than the manifold on my 226. I have a stocker on the shelf at home. I'll look tonight.

That was a good score!

Dennis, If you want a lot of HP out of a flathead use a turbocharger,made 500+ HP on a flathead V8 and set a record at the salt over 200 MPH in a lakester. Post on forced induction if you want info.

turbo-6

Thanks, Turbo

No, I'm strictly low-tech cruisin' these days. Dual headers, a couple, or three carbs and some mild engine mods are about my limit, these days. Have long since given up drag racing. Retirement cut my available funds in half, but I have time to build a lot of stuff I couldn't before.

Turbo-charging a flathead six, or straight eight sounds like fun to me, though.

Ah, to be young again!

that is not a flathead intake, it's for the "newer" sixes.