What Killed The Flathead V8 Engine?

Flathead V8 engines were the first mass-produced V8 engines sold in production cars, with Ford’s first example dating back to 1932. The flathead design is very simple; as the name implies, the cylinder head is basically just a single flat piece of metal. All of the engine components are kept internal to the cylinder block, with a single camshaft operating the valves directly. The simplicity meant low cost, which brought the V8 to the masses. Unfortunately, airflow was terrible, because the air had to reverse directions as the valve opened to enter the cylinder, rather than flowing directly in like modern engines. The intake air also flows in the opposite direction from the exhaust, so any valve overlap meant combating airflow. All of this meant low power, so by 1954, the engine was no more. Bummer! Not really.

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[adam]

Now I want an engineering explained channel set in the 30s where you try to describe a cutaway of a carburetor engine that you had to draw with a fountain pen for 6 hours but you have to record the video again because the film from camera didn't develop properly.

[jesserowe]

My tractor has an inline 4 flat head. Made new a whopping 26 hp. Thing runs like a champ and doesn't smoke. For being 72 years old it's pretty impressive.

[volvo]

The flathead lived on for many more years in lawn and garden engines, but even lawnmowers are OHV today.

[EndlessDelusion]

I have a 60 year old motorcycle with a flat twin with faltheads. You can use asbestos-free paper gaskets for the headgaskets because it is so low powered and has so little compression.

[Olivyay]

I was today years old when I finally learned why "overhead valve" engines were named that, I had no idea there were engines where valves were not overhead...

[ColCurtis]

The exhaust also traveled through the block around the cylinder creating a very hot spot at the top of the cylinder under higher load

[MorganHJackson]

I have often wondered why old engines have less power despite their size, but this explains some of it. Very interesting!

[jkozelj]

Wild to think Ford's first flathead V8 was 3d printed! Henry Ford was truly ahead of his time.

[jamesmonschke]

I believe there are at least 2 additional reasons both associated with increasing compression ratios.
#1 the flat head creates a volume (reducing achievable compression ratios) that is required for the gasses to move between the valves and the cylinder.
#2 the complex shape of the chamber in a flat head engine creates "hot spots" that will increase the chances of pre-ignition and/or detonation in a higher compression engine.

[claiborneeastjr]

One advantage of the flathead: If you float the valves, they cannot hit the pistons! And, you certainly don't look your age, which must be at least 110!

[davidperry]

The first DOHC V8 is the GAA engine for the Sherman tank. First mass produced pushrod V8 from ford is the Y block engine and really changed the game. It got replaced by the Windsor.

[kelli]

Corvette guru Zora Arkus-Duntov got his start producing overhead valve retrofit kits for Ford flatheads. They’re known as Ardun heads.

[edwardroberts]

Henry Ford's breakthrough was in developing casting technology to make the block affordably. Up to then multi cylinder OHV engines were made in multiple pieces with the heads, cylinders and crankcase all being separate. There may have been some one piece blocks available before I missed but I do not think so it was definitely the first to be made affordable for the mases. Remember this was 1932

[AMVS]

1954...in America.
Here in Brazil we had the Flathead V8 up to 1967 on the Simca Chambord...

[kyototomokui]

1930s? Damn you’re young, I remember being a young boy back in 15th Century Feudal Japan!

[ilovelulu]

Hot as hell ass air entering too! More prone to pre detonation, less ignition timing.

[pashakdescilly]

The valves are inside the V, and there are long exhaust passages through the block to the exhaust manifold on the outside of the V. That is great making a compact cheap engine, and for boiling the coolant but bad for efficiency and engine durability.
Solutions:
1 reverse the ports, have a hot V and inlet tracts outboard
2 treat it as two four cylinder engines, put the valves outside the V and have a camshaft low down on the two sides of the block.
3 go overhead valve

[justinstillwagon]

My neighbor has a 1953 Ford F100 with a Flathead in it. Made 95hp factory however with the 3.92 rear gear it’s actually quite fun to romp on

[veridico]

Flat head v8 was the first engine I did a rebuild on. They are so easy and simple.

[cloneboys]

I love the implication that EngineeringExplained has maintained the same age since the 30's, he's only existed as long as cars have and has only started aging as EV's become more popular