Ford Flathead V8 Explained

Developed: 1932-1953

Engine Size: 3621cm3 – 5522cm3 or 3.7 litre – 5.5 litre

Block type: 90 degree V block

Configuration: Flat Head Side Valves V8

Power (Horsepower): 60hp – 175hp

Torque: 225 lb-ft – 265 lb-ft

Peak RPM: 3400rpm

Fuel Economy: 20 miles per gallon

Units Produced: 19 million approx.

Used in: Ford Model A, Ford Model B, Ford Model 18

Meet the first ever highly influenced and powerful engine which remained the leader of engines for decades. It is the first flathead V8 engine built by Ford. It was introduced in 1932 and it was the most advanced engine built by any automaker in the 30s. this engine has also owned the title of being the first mass-produced engine with the whole new technology in the history of cars till 1932. It was capable of generating only 65hp but in the 1930s, 65 hp was something more than anything developed by any engine. It was a monstrous engine of that time. This engine was introduced to only high-end luxury cars because the majority of other cars were using straight engines. We offer the top quality replacement Ford Engines.

Ford’s largest competitor Chevrolet then introduced its first V8 engine around 25 years after Ford’s flathead V8 engine. The flatheads remained active for more than 20 years. In those 20 years, Ford sold these engines in millions of units and even after the production was stopped, these engines were used as benchmarks in the market and mechanics and engineers were using them to take inspiration.

During the 50s, Ford has given some massive upgrades to these engines and pushed the power bar to 125 hp. After these tweaks, Ford flathead V8 becomes the part of Ford’s top power engines. The beauty of this engine was that it was very friendly to the tweaks and upgrades and there were many tuners who tuned up these engines and used in different cars with backyard changes. These mechanics got almost twice of the power than its standard power rating. Ford used the highest quality cylinder head in V8 engine.