I thought later heads had the coolant ports at the front and early heads had the coolant port in the middle?
(I know just enough about flatheads to get myself into an argument)
the quick way to tell early heads from the later ones, is the early heads 32-to early 38, had 21 studs holding them down.
in late 38, they went to 24 studs.
after that, there were other changes, but the 49-53 8BA head had the coolant/radiator hose placement at the front like you said.
the early heads did have the radiator hose connection in the middle of the head, and were 21 stud heads.
i can't explain why my heads are 21 stud heads, but have the radiator hose ports at the end. so
