Ford Flathead V8 Engine History

The Ford Flathead V8 Engine first appeared in the all new 1932 Ford Model "A". It was offered in various Ford, Mercury, & Lincoln Cars & Trucks up to the 1953 model year. The overhead valve Y-Block V8 began to take the place of the Flathead V8 in 1951.

The Ford Flathead V8 was offered in several different displacements ranging from 136 cubic inches up to 337 cubic inches. The horsepower rating of the Flathead V8 ranged from 60 hp up to 125 hp.

Because of the abundance of vehicles Ford Motor Company produced with the Flathead V8, the engine soon became very popular with the Hot Rod community. An entire industry was formed around aftermarket parts to modify the venerable Ford Flathead V8 engine. Many of today's most popular aftermarket suppliers, and many which are no longer in business, got their start producing parts for this popular engine. Edelbrock, Offenhauser, Ardun, Roof, Navarro, Sharp, and Edmunds are a few that come to mind.

Because of it's compact size, the 60 horsepower V8-60 was a popular engine used in midget race cars following World War II.

Stock Flathead V8 in a Ford Passenger Car

Modified Flathead V8 in a 1931 Ford Model A Hot Rod

Flathead V8-60 Midget Engine