FLATHEAD FUEL PUMPS: TOO HOT TO TROT (SOMETIMES)

85 years ago, a game changer in the auto industry was born: the 1932 single-cast, capital-F, Flathead V8 engine. Henry’s engine single handedly changed the industrial and cultural American landscape forever, not only powering 20 years of fresh-off-the-line new Fords, but giving young rodders an engine to learn on, soup up and, if you were good, invite a little envy. The Flathead didn’t enter the scene without some hair pulling by those of us who had to keep that bad boy running. When you are having trouble with a Flathead, it is usually due to one thing: too much heat. And while there is more than one way for heat to encumber the Flathead, a major failing is found in the fuel pump.