They did the Ford flathead V8 dirty.
Sure it was best suited for cooler climates like in Motor City but that one major innovation (first monocast V8 block) opened the door for the common man to own an affordable V8.
It grew from 65 hp in ‘32 to 75 hp in ‘33 to 85 hp in 1934 where it stayed for quite a few years. These engines had full-pressure oiling to all the bearings, unlike their main competitor Chevrolet’s straight six that utilized low-pressure main oiling and babbit conrod bearings that were splash oiled. Not a high-speed engine design unlike the Ford.
The 239-inch 85 hp V8 Fords ruled the highways, they could cruise at 80 mph which was pretty much unheard of for mass-produced passenger cars until their introduction. Even the first somewhat trouble-prone 221-inch ‘32 V8s (cracked blocks and overheating issues) delivered 65 mph speeds, compared to the previous 40 hp Model A that was practically throwing the crankshaft out of the block doing 45 mph.
Part of the problem was for the first few years Ford V8 engines had head mounted water pumps that created low pressure in the engine block which caused the water to boil at a lower temperature. After the water pumps were moved to the block where they pushed the coolant through the block instead of sucking it through like the 1937 and earlier designs this helped but never fully cured it.
Back in those days because of the comparatively crude machining none of the engines lasted much more than 40k miles before needing a rebuild, just a sign of the times and really not a Ford Motor Company issue.
No matter their flaws this engine opened the door for what we all enjoy today, the affordable American V8 powerhouse.
