Flathead V8-60 Specifications
136 Cubic Inch

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Ford came out with the small V8 in 1937 to provide a more fuel efficient and less expensive option to the regular 85hp equipped cars and light commercial vehicles. These engines were obvious by their small size and the 17 Stud heads. Ford also built the 60hp engine for the European market with some modifications. The water pumps are also mounted in a common casting that mounts to the front of the engine and serves as the timing cover and engine mount. In the first year of production, these engines had "tin" sided outer water jackets which were welded onto the cylinder portion of the block. The production of the tin-sided blocks ended in April, 1937. Late 1937 and newer model year vehicles had the newer and more conventional "all cast iron" blocks. 1940 was the final year for the 60hp since the new 90hp six cylinder engine would debut for 1941.

The V8 Sixty was a popular engine for aftermarket applications, particularly in midget race cars in the 1950's and 60's. It can also be found in some of today's custom "big bike" motorcycles. Due to its low horsepower and torque, the engine was not considered very powerful by customers for the passenger cars and light trucks that Ford installed them in. The Ford three speed transmission used with the V860 is unique to that engine and does not interchange with the standard 85 or 95hp flathead V8 engines on the 1937-39 variations.

Specifications

Additional Specifications

Notes:
1) Had the tin-sided block
2) Had the all-cast iron block
3) Built with aluminum heads
4) Built with cast iron heads

Crankshafts were lengthened (just over 2" on the front snout) in 1940 for the direct mounting of the cooling fan. Also for 1940 the crankshafts went to a larger diameter for the connecting rod and main bearing journals. The 1940 connecting rod bearings were not flanged like the '37-39. All crankshaft bearings for the 1940 engines are unique to that year.

V8 60 oil pumps are gear driven off the front crankshaft gear and are integral with the front main bearing cap assembly.

Early 1937 production water pumps had a tapered body versus the straight (non-tapered) pump bodies of late '37 production to the end in 1940. There were actually four different styles of pumps used through the four years. Later pumps had small rubber cones over the shaft at the pulley.

Ignition systems were virtually the same as the 85hp V8 engines. Ford used the same "diver's helmet" or egg shell style dual point distributor and its matching coil. Most components of the engines were smaller than the regular 85hp V8's, including the carburetor, generator, and most internal components.

Click on the above thumbnail drawings for enlarged views of the performance curves and scale drawing.