ID numbers on a flathead block ?

Hello Everyone, I have a ford flathead and have been looking to identify the year so i can start to buy parts for a rebuild. the block has numbers C10144 X1 on the bell housing. The heads are 24 stud with nuts, the water pumps are bolt on in front of the block. The heads have a center water flow spout. The intake is three bolt. the distributer id front mounted. Just put it on the engine stand today so i don't have the bore and stroke yet. Let me know if any of this helps you figure out the year. I have been on many forums looking at ID numbers but my n umbers seem odd for sum reason. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much
Seven Cylinders
 
Welcome to the Barn. How did you mount it on the engine stand? It is best to NOT mount it by the bellhousing, they have been known to break. The normal method is to use the exhaust bolts on the side using an adapter.
 
JSeery said:
Welcome to the Barn. How did you mount it on the engine stand? It is best to NOT mount it by the bellhousing, they have been known to break. The normal method is to use the exhaust bolts on the side using an adapter.
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Here are two examples of the results of a bellhousing breaking while mounted on an engine stand like JSeery mentioned above. Not Good! DD


250824



250857



…..
 
generally speaking, flathead blocks do not have any meaningful numbers on them unless added by someone after it left the factory. yours however, starting with a C may be canadian. i believe vanpelts sales has canadian numbers too, perhaps it would show up there. you will want to see vanpelts web site if you have never been there, google it up
 
Seven Cylinders, Flathead engines are not numbered, either cast or stamped, in a way to identify their year of manufacture. There do exist numerous physical characteristics that give a generational type ID. I really only know 21 stud engines so can not assist further.
 
52merc said:
does it say 59 on bell housing ??
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Thanks for the response! there is a spot about the size of a quarter, and the only thing i can see for sure in that spot is a 9 it's also those letters and numbers to the right of that circle they are X12 they are stamped in and aprox 3/4 inches tall Thanks
 
the 59 blocks usually have the 59 very visible, raised up enough to see, and often a letter following. about 3/4" tall numbers, raised up an 1/8" or so, easy to see on every one i have had.
 
Ford USA in Dearborn didn't mark blocks very much. They used paint color of the blocks to ID them for a time. Some have a date code on the right rear of the intake deck but not all. Canadian Fords have more ID info than USA. Some were made in France by SUMB as late as 1991 for French military trucks.

These old threads have some info but it is usually better to start a new one and post a photo just so we know what a person is looking at. Adding a basic location to your Avatar info can help us tell if it might be in this hemisphere or elsewhere. Ford made stuff in more than one country.
 
So this is a great forum topic and I am joining to see if folks here can help me ID my motor

I have a 59 cast on bell house, 3 bolt “round style” distributor, A marked on head, cast number G157

I think I have a 1947 (G= January, 15 = day of month, 7 = 1947) 59A - but when I look up distributor data my 3 bolt style makes this year come into question, see pictures attached.

‘32-‘41 = 3 bolt distributor
‘42-‘48 = 2 bolt distributor

Thanks all.
 

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Heads do not tell you much, it is too easy for them to have been changed over the years. That applies to just about anything bolted to the block.
 
JSeery said:
Heads do not tell you much, it is too easy for them to have been changed over the years. That applies to just about anything bolted to the block.
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This Motor came out of generator so the heads are most likely stock.

Generator had 430 hours. so this is low "hour" run motor.

I need to ID this to order some replacement parts.

Thanks.
 
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