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Ford 8BA specs: 239.4 ci (3.9L) 8-cylinder, 3.188 x 3.75 in (81 x 95.3 mm) bore and stroke, 6.8:1 compression. Rated 100 hp, 1949–1951.
The Ford Flathead V8 (8BA) is undersquare — the 3.75" stroke exceeds the 3.1875" bore by 15.0% — a layout that trades peak RPM for leverage and torque low in the range. The 3.75" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,400 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 29.9 ci (490 cc).
6.8:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 26 engines in the Flathead V8 family, the largest at 239.4 ci. 3 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 100 hp across 1949–1951.
| Displacement | 239.4 ci / 3.9 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.1875" |
| Stroke | 3.75" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 6.8:1 * |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.85 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Valvetrain | flathead |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 100 hp |
| Years | 1949–1951 |
| Bore/stroke character | 0.850 — undersquare — stroke exceeds bore, which favours low-end torque |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,750 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Displacement per cylinder | 29.9 ci |
| Static compression | 6.8:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 100 hp | 8BA |
| 1950 | 100 hp | 8BA |
| 1951 | 100 hp | 8BA |
2 factory vehicles, 1949–1951. Each year opens that model's engine table.