36 ford

[charles in east texas]

What does LB stand for when referring to the motor and do you have to remove the body to replace the floor from the seat area forward. Thanks, Charles

 

[dave collette]

Hi Charles,The LB stnds for loose bearing.This means that it has insert main bearing that can be replaced.Yes you can changr the floor pan on the frame .I have done this. Dave Collette collettesr@aol.com

 

[38 coupe]

LB has also been thought to stand for large bearing since the insert bearings are larger diameter than the poured bearings. Ford literature lacks a definition, so LB can stand for whatever you want.

 

[charles in east texas]

Thanks fellows. Just learning about the 36's. Yes I have the book. I will have many more questions I sure. Thanks again, Charles

 

[Mike in AZ]

good luck, Charles....any pics??... ... Mike

 

[Don DeLong]

I thought lb stood for long block and sb stood for short block.

 

[ken ct]

LB = loose bearing,large bearing,and pound. lol. ken ct.

 

[jerry grayson]

What does LB stand for when referring to the motor and do you have to remove the body to replace the floor from the seat area forward. Thanks, Charles

The engine log book at the Benson Ford (archives) refers to LB as Large Bearing.

 

[charles in east texas]

Jerry, is there any to tell On the outside which engine I have? I know the car is a late 36.
Thanks, Charles

 

[columbiA]

I believe the oil pan is slighty deeper at the front to clear the larger main brg.

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

I always thought the oil pan was a little wider at the front on an LB. Some LB's are stamped LB on the surface of the block where the intake manifold is bolted. Some non LB's may also be stamped similarly by dishonest folks trying to make quick bucks. The best way to determine an LB engine is to remove the oil pan and measure center to center distance between main bearing studs. LB = ~ 3.250" and non LB = ~ 3.000". The absolute proof is to remove a main bearing cap and confirm that bearing is loose/removable. Some of our Australian and New Zealand friends (maybe Canadian as well) have reported having a hole in some area on front of block that signified an LB to them. I have never seen a US manufactured block that had that same hole.

 

[blucar]

It has been written up in several books/articles that generally speaking the insert bearing LB engine, came out in mid-year '36, however, Ford had an abundance of babbit bearing blocks still in their system so they continued to use them.
I believe that I have read that the babbit bearing engines continued throughout the '36 Ford model run.
As stated in the preceding threads, the sure way to find out what engine you have is to open it up.

 

[Charlie Stephens]

It has been written up in several books/articles that generally speaking the insert bearing LB engine, came out in mid-year '36, however, Ford had an abundance of babbit bearing blocks still in their system so they continued to use them.
I believe that I have read that the babbit bearing engines continued throughout the '36 Ford model run.
As stated in the preceding threads, the sure way to find out what engine you have is to open it up.

Then there is another good book, "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It" page 21, that says "In addition, starting in September 1935, a new block with new main bearing inserts was introduced (68-6010)". It also states (still page 21) "The 1935 block with the cast babbit bearings was continued to the end of 1936 production".

Charlie Stephens

 

[Lawson Cox]

i agree with Charlie. If you have the original heads on your engine you can tell pretty quickly. Domed pistons first came out with the LB engines. If you have an LB engine the heads should have a 48 part number prefix, Flat top pistons would have a 40 prefix.

 

[JM 35 Sedan]

I have an original never been torn down (until I removed heads), '36 Ford LB engine removed form an original '36 1/2 ton PU, w/original 3-1/16" bore, minus some slight wear, that has flat top pistons. Heads are only marked with Ford script logo. No part numbers. The truck was purchased from the original owner who kept this truck on a farm not far from Baltimore, MD. Some pictures are attached.