block comparison · FF-0333

Is the French Flathead block based on the 8BA or the 59AB?

Steve calls it a cross between the 59AB style and the 8BA, a little of both. Some are new old stock that have never been assembled, including his. Because of the military use, the block has a large boss at the top of the bell housing on the driver's side for an oil-driven governor; it gets in the way of the firewall and transmission tunnel, so the first thing people do is machine it off.

Expert

Steve Coppock

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

French Flathead block

Applicable scope

French-built Flathead V8 block compared with U.S. 59AB and 8BA blocks