Mercury Flathead Engine Identification

Question

On Mercury 255.4 Flatheads - is there a part/ID number on the block to identify that is is in fact a 255 or other smaller flathead? Trying also to determine when engine was built early '49 or late '49 thru '53..One engine I have is in a '50 merc and it has the 5/8 belts and pullies on it - would that be out of a truck of some year?

Answer 1

Flatheads of gthis vintage can be identified by numbers cast into the cylinder heads. 8BA designates a Ford block, and 8CM identifies the engine as a Mercury.