21 stud head I have

[Renoalbany]

Hi guys,

I got tired of dealing with aluminum heads on my 1935 Fordor after having electrolysis problems on my 2nd set. I bought an old engine out of a 1935 Ford fire engine that was cracked. I had heads redone and the car (which I had since 1968) runs great with the cast iron heads. Why is there a 1/2 inch pipe plug on the heads visible in the upper left rear of the photos? The two photos are of the original engine and of my engine. I am just curious. Is it there for a reason?

Thanks

 

[Mart]

Dunno. I wonder if it was for some sort of block heater. Was it a cold climate vehicle? Might have been a fire service requirement so it would start better when cold.

I suspect all we can do is guess. I'm not aware of any specific requirement for something like that. It could have been for a hot water heater, don't know if that would have been a fire service priority.

Mart.

 

[Don]

Think I read somewhere that they did this to get more cooling to rear cyl..
Maybe a hot rod thing original!!

 

[deuce_roadster]

You might have to ask a fireman where the engine came from! I think a block heater is a great suggestion by Mart. Maybe to have a firetruck mostly warmed up so it could take off at a moments notice more then freeze protection.

 

[flatheadmurre]

For heater hose connection not to uncommon solution on the early engines.
Return in lower radiator hose but no place on the waterpump for taking out hot water...was special waterpumps with connection for this but drilling a hole in the head is easier...

 

[Renoalbany]

Thanks guys. I did pick it up in Montana so that sounds like what it was used for. It was a hose truck I think around a 1T chassis

Doug