airflow · FF-0195

Why does a Ford Flathead V8 have only three exhaust outlets per side?

Ed says that is the way Ford made the engine. Because the valves are in the block, it is really difficult to bring the center exhausts out past the pistons as four separate outlets; two exhausts in the center would have to be stacked one above the other. So Ford used one bigger center port, larger than the two end ports, to handle the two center cylinders. The two do not both fire at the same time, so they are not competing for space.

Expert

Ed Smith

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

exhaust ports

Applicable scope

Ford Flathead V8