1936 Ford aluminum heads

48 and 68 ('35 and '36 part number prefixes) aluminum cylinder heads were both for use with domed-top pistons. It's the 40 ('33-'34) prefix heads that were for use with flat top pistons. So obviously not all '36 engines were manufactured originally with flat-top pistons.
 
Lawson Cox said:
I understand from my research, limited though it may be, all LB engines had domed pistons.
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Lawson,

No disrespect, but I currently have a 36 LB engine, std bore, with flat top pistons. Maybe Don Rogers might have researched this? I imagine when Ford changed the block from Babbitt to LB they continued using existing piston sets and other parts until they ran out. With these old engines you just don’t know what you have until you open them up.

Wayne
 
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These are the heads that I know of. 1 domed and 2 flat.
 

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wamnram said:
Lawson,

No disrespect, but I currently have a 36 LB engine, std bore, with flat top pistons. Maybe Don Rogers might have researched this? I imagine when Ford changed the block from Babbitt to LB they continued using existing piston sets and other parts until they ran out. With these old engines you just don’t know what you have until you open them up.

Wayne
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Yep, my 1936 LB STD Bore also has flattop pistons. What is the purpose for the design differences between the A-1 and A-2 heads? Compression?
 
wamnram said:
Lawson,

No disrespect, but I currently have a 36 LB engine, std bore, with flat top pistons. Maybe Don Rogers might have researched this? I imagine when Ford changed the block from Babbitt to LB they continued using existing piston sets and other parts until they ran out. With these old engines you just don’t know what you have until you open them up.

Wayne
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I hope Don Rogers does step in here.

I understand the LB engine came out in October of 35, and at the same time the distributor was changed from a 3 bolt coil to a flat top two bolt coil. It has been a long time since I researched that, and Don Rogers has all my notes. Ford continued to produce engines with flat top pistons as well. The LB engines used the 36 prefix designating the LB and domed pistons. The poured bearing engines continued in production as well and carried the 40 prefix heads. I'm not real sure, but I think the flat top piston engines continued to use the three bolt domed top coil. (Jump in here Don and clarify all this minutia for us.)
 
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