59 Series engine question

1932 V8

1932 V8

Senior Member
Hello all. I have 3 engines that are 59 series engines but the front of the block is like an earlier block. All 3 will pass the pencil test meaning they will hold a pencil at the front of the block. I have done some searching but I haven't found any info on them. Does anyone have any info on these. 1 has a C , 1 has a Y and 1 has nothing. Thanks for any help
 
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In 1944, the war department allowed the auto manufacturers to start manufacturing replacement engines again and the first design was a cross between the prewar 221 and the wartime 239 engines. It received the model designation 41A (1944 221 CID)but by the time it was cleared for production the 59A engine was also cleared for production. Ford likely used the same casting containment for both engines but the 221 engine has different cores so it has characteristics of both engines. The 41A block surprises a lot of folks since it had 3 1/16 bores and 221 characteristics with a big "59" on the back bell.


Prewar engines have no 59 on the back bell so that is a possibility. Valve angle changed on the 59 series from prewar. Not all 59 series engines have the 59 on the back to confuse things even further but there are other characteristics like the little unfinished boss near the oil ports on the back bell of the engine that are 59 series.
 
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Many of the 221 cid 59 series blocks I have seen are factory relieved. I have a few in my stash that I believe were used in trucks.
 
1932 V8 said:
Hello all. I have 3 engines that are 59 series engines but the front of the block is like an earlier block. All 3 will pass the pencil test meaning they will hold a pencil at the front of the block. I have done some searching but I haven't found any info on them. Does anyone have any info on these. 1 has a C , 1 has a Y and 1 has nothing. Thanks for any help
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1932V8;

If your engines have 2" rod journals on crankshaft and big end

of rods {91a or 21a) it's a 221 ci ----unless it's been overbored.

Thus a 41a in a 59 block. Never seen the 1944 spec 41a in other

than a "59" marked block. Have a 221ci 59 with "41T" heads. This block has

slope front as per most 59s--does not pass pencil test. I have seen 59 blocks

that would pass the pencil test --but need to look inside to find what the are.

Original 239ci blocks had 2.139 " rod journal cranks and big end rods

(99a or 29a). Pre war 239 99 engines and post war 239 59 .

What are your rods/crank journals? bore size?

Adventure!! Neat ole flatheads!

Gene Tulsa


Merry Christmas!!
 
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1932 V8 said:
Hello all. I have 3 engines that are 59 series engines but the front of the block is like an earlier block. All 3 will pass the pencil test meaning they will hold a pencil at the front of the block. I have done some searching but I haven't found any info on them. Does anyone have any info on these. 1 has a C , 1 has a Y and 1 has nothing. Thanks for any help
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Mike, the block that has the Y on it, has that extra oil passage drilled an tapped.
 
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