cooling · FF-0331

Do all flathead engines run hot, or just the Ford V8?

Steve says it is mainly a V-engine problem. On an inline flathead four, six or eight the exhaust leaves on the same side it enters, so there is no long exhaust passage through the block as on the Ford V8 and the Lincoln. Cadillac's exhaust came out the top, so he thinks it had less trouble. Any design with exhaust running through the block is challenged for cooling, but he says calling the Ford flawed, or saying they all run hot, goes too far: with the right radiator and cooling system and without being overloaded they run fine.

Expert

Steve Coppock

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

exhaust routing and heat

Applicable scope

Flathead engines in general, with the 1932–1953 Ford V8 as the reference