They are refered to as both the 'Flathead' V8 and 'sidevalve' V8 here. They are in fact both as the flathead part refers to no valves, rockercover etc.
The 4 & 6 clylinder motors are also called either 'flathead' 4/6 or 'sidevalve' 4/6 for the same reasons.
If someone started to talk about a Ford V8 motor without saying either flathead or sidevalve I would assume automaticly that it was an overhead valve motor...one with the valves in the heads and a rocker cover.
cheers
Cliff