Just curious, 47 PU

Ol' Ron

Ol' Ron

Well-known member
At what point in production, did the 8ba go into the trucks. I have a friend with a 47PU with the wire harness on the left side that has an 8ba engine, the S/N on the trans and frame match and Mac Vp says it\s a late 47.
I must be getting old because before he baught it I did't realize ot was a late flathead, but when he had the radiator core repaced the input holes were the small ones. I know somebody cold have done this in a swap.
Just thought the 8ba was around longer than we thought??? Runs good.
gramps
 
The 8BA/8RT went into production for the new Bonus Built trucks as a complete design change. I've seen plenty of earlier Fords with 8BA family engines installed but have not heard of left over 47 commercial chassis that had the later engine installed at the factory. Ford generally over produced engines to a certain degree since they can always be used for warranty or for new replacements. Ford likely produced the 59 series engine until a point where they cut it off for new engine production. They had different blocks being produced on the same line for several of the major design changes. After that, the blocks would be produced for replacement by outside contractors for a time like the diamond blocks of old.

There is enough differences between the two engines that there would likely have to be a bit of adaptation just to get away with it. I would never say never but I would say it that it would have been a rarity if done at all. Most of the V8 bonus built trucks in the lighter categories used the same radiator unless the heavy duty core design application was installed as an option. It may not be all that different from the jail bar truck design but I don't know for certain.

Ford did do a change over to the H model 6-cylinder in 1947.
 
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I know Ford made many changes in the switch from 59 series to 8ba. I've seen too many variations of the 8ba engine block. Some of the early ones used the 59 series fuel pump push rods and harden seats in both the intake and exhaust, I'm sure there were others, However, what;s the differance between the 49 PU and the 47, besides the engine??
Again, just curious.
 
Entirely different Body , the 47 Cab was like the 40 and 41 cabs , The grill was vertical bars . Sunshine
 
42 to 47 frame is basically the same as 48 to 52.
Differences is cross steer and lever shocks in the earlier. Both series used the same transmission.

42 to 47 has a stiffener plate rivited in for the cross steer and a few less bolt holes.

42 to 47 didnt used steady rods or chatter rods.

Putting a 8ba in a 42 to 47 is alot easier then a 41 and older
 
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