M38A1 engine block help

smokey1 · Post by **smokey1** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:58 pm

Has anyone has run accross a M38A1 engine block or F-Head engine that only has 5 rear bellhousing flange attachment points vs the std 10 holes other M38A1 blocks have.
The casing number on the lowerside of the block is 806279 A serial number above the water pump flat is 0000-670-70 l(backword looking L maybe).
It appears that one or two places in the block casting where bolt holes would be are blank, not drilled where they should be.

Any thoughts would be appricated.

MODIFIED · Post by **MODIFIED** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:17 pm

perhaps used for a generator, compressor, or mobile welding unit?

Balvar24 · Post by **Balvar24** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:22 pm

I saw a US Surplus Barge the other day that allegedly had a Willys 4 Cylinder engine.

smokey1 · Post by **smokey1** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:30 pm

I think maybe your right! Never thought about that. I tried searching the web a bit this evening, but have not seen any pictures of the bellhousing side of the block with just 5 mounting holes yet.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:24 pm

The F134 engine first appeared in 1949 and it had the early L134 rear flange setup and used the early bell housing and adapter plate. It also used the small frame starter with 1/2" mount bolts.

But it can be bolted to the late M38 and the all the M38A1 bell housings but you'll have to plug a few extra 5/16" holes in the adapter plate if they let dirt in the bell housing.

53a1 · Post by **53a1** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:50 pm

Yes.

I'm running one in my A1 that has the same configuration as you describe but a different casting number. I had to change the flywheel, adapter plate and starter but otherwise it works fine. The flywheel and adapter plate from an A1 bolted up just fine and like Wes stated I just block the extra holes on the adapter plate with some bolts.

I think Wes told me at one time that it may have come out of a truck.

I have an A1 block but until I money to rebuild it I'm going to run this engine. I bought it rebuilt for very cheap so why not.