1938 Head Casting Stamps

Stokes

Member
Guys - Just wanting some input from the pros- My 1938 Ford Standard has the following casting stamps on the heads- Right Head-81A-050 and a 47 plus the ford logo-Left-81A-050 and a 44 plus ford logo and the intake has a number 3 in a circle followed by a -2--are the numbers correct for the year and engine-?So far all numbers match-Thanks as always
 
I suggest you get the 1938-39 Ford restoration book from the V8 Club. The answers to your questions are not straight forward. Depending upon the date of Mfg. of your car 81A-6050-A cast iron head may have been used as both heads. Typically it is the RH head and 81A-6049-A is the LH. I am not sure what the numbers 44, 47 & 2 are for?? The Early Ford V8 Club of America has a web site offering the restoration book.
The 3 in a circle is the Ford Mfg. code for the caster of the aluminum intake manifold for Ford of which they had several. What is more important is the shape and style of the intake manifold for "Correctness" Good Luck
 
You must have an early 24 stud enigne in your 38. Unlike the 39 and later heads there is not a raised "A" cast into the head. Typically the part number is cast into the heads, either 81A-6050 or 81A-6049. Note that there is not an A following the part number. I suspect the 44 & 47 are mold numbers or other manufacturing marks.

Here are a couple early 38 heads I got pictures of in a junked car. The first picture is the driver's side head (left) and the second picture is the passenger's side (right) head. Note that the left head has a number 2 and the right head has a number 34. Also intersting is the second 81A marking in the right head.




If anyone has a spare set of correct 1938 24 stud heads, send me a message. I'd like to talk to you.
 
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