factory modification · FF-0234

Why did Ford relieve Flathead blocks at the factory?

Joe says the factory started relieving blocks around 1939 with a smaller relief, about 2 inches wide and maybe 80 thousandths deep. It was not to improve breathing but to change the stress in that area and reduce the tendency of the blocks to crack. Ford had trouble with cracked blocks, especially in trucks that were overworked and overheated, and some with air brakes that sent a cold blast of air at the block. Joe credits this to a club member named Clarence in Albuquerque who worked at Ford before World War II.

Expert

Joe Abbin

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

factory block relief

Applicable scope

Ford Flathead V8 blocks from about 1939, according to Joe