41A 221 block 1944/1945
- Thread starter G32
- Start date
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The only difference is the bore size. They even have the "59" on the bell.
Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
I am nearly certain that the 59 block with 59 on the bell and 3 1/16 bore IS the 41A block referred to in the catalogs. The 41 was a fully postwar design, with the late valve angles requiring the rework of prewar heads.
The Ford overhaul book refers to it, but the illustrations in that are actually a WWII military engine based on '42 Merc.
The Ford overhaul book refers to it, but the illustrations in that are actually a WWII military engine based on '42 Merc.
Ford Canada called the postwar 221 V8 C51A, C51T, and C51W depending if they were in cars, trucks or COE. It appears they were available along with the 239 C59A, C59T, C59W, and the C59B in buses. Only the 118" Mercury and Monarch, all buses, and the biggest trucks eg. 3 ton, were exclusively 239 C59s. I don't know if the Ford Canada C51 had "59" on the bellhousing, but the '46 chassis book says the "5" relates to 1945, and the "9" means 95 HP. ..B.
Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
Canada cast labels in its blocks at the front, and marked many of the blocks like 99's that are unmarked here.
I believe the 41A was of course given the "1" designation in the parts book to indicate that it was in the 221 family, but was made with a full set of 59 cores except for the actual barrels and so retained the 59 designation. 3 1/16 59 blocks are around, but I don't know of anyone who has seen a 41 casting...hence my belief that these oddities ARE the 41A block. The "1" designation generally survived here with the 51, indicating Ford as distinguished from Merc models and parts...then in '47-8 and on into the early '50's the parts prfixes went nuts for a while.
I believe the 41A was of course given the "1" designation in the parts book to indicate that it was in the 221 family, but was made with a full set of 59 cores except for the actual barrels and so retained the 59 designation. 3 1/16 59 blocks are around, but I don't know of anyone who has seen a 41 casting...hence my belief that these oddities ARE the 41A block. The "1" designation generally survived here with the 51, indicating Ford as distinguished from Merc models and parts...then in '47-8 and on into the early '50's the parts prfixes went nuts for a while.
B,BL&RW:
Thank you very much! I noted an earlier thread on a 1/16 59
Like to learn cylinder wall thickness on one. Must have been rough cast smaller
bore (cast sleeved to small bore?) . Water jacket mold same as 3/16 59?--or less
iron/more coolant ? My Flathead curiosity grabs me- won"t let go.
Next---bought a resto/rod dropping: a complete 1941 PU chassis w bed
orig 4 cyl 9N engine frame /trans #s match-love it! Think i'll just drive a
bodyless fenderless striped -down 40 PU! Back where Ford Rods started!
Gene Tulsa
Thank you very much! I noted an earlier thread on a 1/16 59
Like to learn cylinder wall thickness on one. Must have been rough cast smaller
bore (cast sleeved to small bore?) . Water jacket mold same as 3/16 59?--or less
iron/more coolant ? My Flathead curiosity grabs me- won"t let go.
Next---bought a resto/rod dropping: a complete 1941 PU chassis w bed
orig 4 cyl 9N engine frame /trans #s match-love it! Think i'll just drive a
bodyless fenderless striped -down 40 PU! Back where Ford Rods started!
Gene Tulsa
Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
I have never actually examined a 59 block 221...I have heard completely contradictory second hand reports from people who have built from them. A couple said that they could go to 3 3/16 but did not have any extra iron for serious boring beyond that; Another guy had gone huge, I think 3 3/8 bore, and run it with no problems!
So...no idea, and it is entirely possible they were cast in different thicknesses! I would assume that it was physically possible for the foundry to stack up different water/cylinder cores, but I am guessing there.
So...no idea, and it is entirely possible they were cast in different thicknesses! I would assume that it was physically possible for the foundry to stack up different water/cylinder cores, but I am guessing there.