Ford '60' flathead V8

[sidcharles]

does any aftermarket company make this engine?

search didn't help me; thx.

[Mark]

Haven't seen an aftermarket one; however, one version of Revell's 1/25 scale midget racer kit had a modified V8-60.  No transmission though, only an in/out box.

[sidcharles]

Q2: would a model A transmission be a passible substitute ?

i have seen a couple of those kits on the 'bay for around retail and they do have that dickensonian cutie trailer . . . 

[Mark]

The 1/25 scale 60 hp V8 ends up being about the same size as a 1/32 scale 85 hp V8.  The transmissions are about the same size relative to one another; that is, the 60 transmission is that much smaller than the "big" unit.  So, you'd have to find a 1/32 scale part, or scratch one proportionally smaller to work with the smaller engine.

[NOBLNG]

I was unaware of this engine. Here’s some interesting information on it. https://rodandstyle.com/blogs/rod-and-style-tech/ford-v8-60?

Edited June 17 by NOBLNG

[sidcharles]

i thought it came into being with the '36 Ford. perhaps only an option & not its prime mover.  

this  is a good video (channel actually) which identifies some of the unique (at least to me) features:

 

[sidcharles]

the military guys seem to pull this stuff off:

GAZ-51 engine 1/35

not sure if pilfering an engine from one of these would work:

FORD civil car SERIES 1/35

[sidcharles]

3 hours ago, Mark said:

The 1/25 scale 60 hp V8 ends up being about the same size as a 1/32 scale 85 hp V8.  The transmissions are about the same size relative to one another; that is, the 60 transmission is that much smaller than the "big" unit.  So, you'd have to find a 1/32 scale part, or scratch one proportionally smaller to work with the smaller engine.

i've tied myself up with this arithmetic stuff on a regular basis for seven decades, so hopefully someone will say if this proportion is accurate.

1" in 1:25 scale = .04000"

1" in 1:35 scale = .02857"

(i understand the suggestion was for 1:32 scale; only looking for a starting point here)

difference between .04000 - .02857 =    .01143

per cent of difference (using online conversion) = 33.3% difference

Percentage Difference Calculator

so could i conclude 1:35 scale is one third smaller than 1:25?

and then if i could get some real world dimensions of similar components, i would be able to determine their suitability?

NOTE: perhaps the long way round, but this information would help with any component comparison, not just an engine.

some learned from playing with scales: a 1:24 scale vehicle is 8x the volume of a 1:48 scale vehicle of like type.

(2x wide/ 2x long/ 2x high)

 

[Mark]

47 minutes ago, sidcharles said:

i thought it came into being with the '36 Ford. perhaps only an option & not its prime mover.  

this  is a good video (channel actually) which identifies some of the unique (at least to me) features:

 

I believe it was '37 through '40 in the USA, though it lived on a lot longer elsewhere.  It was probably a "delete option" here, meaning you got the 85 hp engine unless you specifically ordered the 60.  The 60 brought with it a few unique parts, like the lightweight tubular front axle on 60 equipped 1937 cars that is highly sought after.

I would get some good images of a 60 with transmission attached, then scratchbuild the thing.  It's basically a miniature version of the regular unit, and those don't seem to be terribly complicated in terms of shapes needed to duplicate it in scale.  I want to stick one of those engines in an Anglia or Thames, so when that happens I'll probably scratch the thing.

[sidcharles]

DISCLAIMER _ THIS IS NOT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL!!!!

after posting i reread it, and don't want anyone to think i'm sleazing in on this fellow's action.

i am not intimidated with the work or tools involved in such an endeavor, but rather my naïveté of mechanical things in general. 

 

 

Edited June 18 by sidcharles

[sidcharles]

the rabbit hole is getting deeper:

 

[Bainford]

14 hours ago, sidcharles said:

i've tied myself up with this arithmetic stuff on a regular basis for seven decades, so hopefully someone will say if this proportion is accurate.

1" in 1:25 scale = .04000"

1" in 1:35 scale = .02857"

(i understand the suggestion was for 1:32 scale; only looking for a starting point here)

difference between .04000 - .02857 =    .01143

per cent of difference (using online conversion) = 33.3% difference

Percentage Difference Calculator

so could i conclude 1:35 scale is one third smaller than 1:25?

and then if i could get some real world dimensions of similar components, i would be able to determine their suitability?

NOTE: perhaps the long way round, but this information would help with any component comparison, not just an engine.

some learned from playing with scales: a 1:24 scale vehicle is 8x the volume of a 1:48 scale vehicle of like type.

(2x wide/ 2x long/ 2x high)

 

Your math is sound, but knock off a couple decimal places to keep the numbers reasonable. It is pointless to go beyond three decimal places (thousandths) when working in inches.

[sidcharles]

duly noted!

[Calb56]

On 6/17/2025 at 9:06 AM, sidcharles said:

does any aftermarket company make this engine?

search didn't help me; thx.

https://ebay.us/m/k1AhGS

[rattle can man]

V8 60 was introduced for '37 and lasted into the forties in the US. In Europe it lasted longer. You might see if you can find European Ford kits of '37 into the '50s (I think) kits.

[Mark]

Through 1940 here.  The 1941 Fords were a bit bigger and heavier, the 60 was passable in areas without a lot of hills but was borderline at best.  It wouldn't have worked at all in a '41.  During '41 Ford introduced a straight six, and also made an inline four that was created for pickups, but some claim a handful of them made it into cars.

The inline engines had more torque than the miniature V8, so they were workable whereas the 60 really wasn't up to the job.

[sidcharles]

6 hours ago, Calb56 said:

https://ebay.us/m/k1AhGS

the link didn't work for me, but thanks for the thought.

i ordered one from     Ford flathead V8 60 block, speed equipment, 1/25, 3D printed | eBay

a few days ago and am still waiting for delivery. i thought he was located in the mid-atlantic states, but tracking puts the package in SAINT JAMES, MO 65559 

 

[Calb56]

Just now, sidcharles said:

the link didn't work for me, but thanks for the thought.

i ordered one from     Ford flathead V8 60 block, speed equipment, 1/25, 3D printed | eBay

a few days ago and am still waiting for delivery. i thought he was located in the mid-atlantic states, but tracking puts the package in SAINT JAMES, MO 65559 

 

Strange. Same link... Anyway, I haven't ordered that but I've ordered his speed equipment pack and the McCulloch Supercharger. Pretty nice pieces, pretty sure you'll be happy.

[sidcharles]

2 hours ago, Mark said:

Through 1940 here.  The 1941 Fords were a bit bigger and heavier, the 60 was passable in areas without a lot of hills but was borderline at best.  It wouldn't have worked at all in a '41.  During '41 Ford introduced a straight six, and also made an inline four that was created for pickups, but some claim a handful of them made it into cars.

The inline engines had more torque than the miniature V8, so they were workable whereas the 60 really wasn't up to the job.

interesting information; thanks.

it's the smith-jiggler heads that've caught my interest.  anything out of the norm. the V8-60 will most likely go in a Revell model A frame w/ AMT '29 body. with or without fenders; not thinking that far ahead.

 

[Calb56]

2 minutes ago, sidcharles said:

interesting information; thanks.

it's the smith-jiggler heads that've caught my interest.  anything out of the norm. the V8-60 will most likely go in a Revell model A frame w/ AMT '29 body. with or without fenders; not thinking that far ahead.

 

https://bassoon-greyhound-6skz.squarespace.com/shop/p/jiggler-cylinder-head-kit-for-flatheads

 

Vcg resins jiggler heads for regular flathead.

[sidcharles]

5 hours ago, rattle can man said:

V8 60 was introduced for '37 and lasted into the forties in the US. In Europe it lasted longer. You might see if you can find European Ford kits of '37 into the '50s (I think) kits.

wanting a kit to justify shipping & handling cost, i ordered a Toyoda AA 1:24 scale Tamiya the other day. wonder how it would look in that as a stocker?

i also want to take measurements of the block and perhaps cut down or scratchbuild a V8 60.   the Revell midget is still on the long list, too. for the same purposes.

[Mark]

There was also an ARDUN conversion for the 60.  It doesn't look like the better known "big engine" setup though.