I know very little about flathead Ford V8's. I grew up at the end of their popularity, and we were too busy substituting Olds, Caddy, and later on Chevy engines to learn much about them.

About a month ago I bought the flathead and running gear from another member (thanks Paul ) that he removed from his '46 Ford. I'm going to build a little roadster pickup some day from Dan's left over body and these parts. When I tore the heads off to see what things looked like everything was pretty clean, including the bores. But when looking at the block I saw something that I didn't understand, the area surrounding the valves and between the pistons is COUNTERSUNK about 1/8 of an inch. I then looked at Dan's '49 Ford flathead, and his is totally flat in that area.

Is this what is referred to as "relieving" the block? Were '46 engines different in this area than '49's? I sort of remember hearing at one time that some flatheads came relieved, or maybe it was remanufactured engines that were relieved? I have researched this as much as I can on the internet and other old Ford forums, and still can't find anything. Some pictures show all flatheads as having a flat block in this area, some show a partial countersinking around the valves, but mine has a completely open path from the valves to the pistons.

The '46 Paul got these parts from was hot rodded a little, with stuff like a dropped axle, Posies spring, and 15 inch Merc wheels, but the engine appeared stock, except for red paint. I just wonder if someone has been inside here and done this modification or if some factory flatheads were like that.

Thanks for any help guys.

Don