Engine block I.D. pictures
- Thread starter 38 coupe
- Start date
Walt Dupont--Me.
Well-known member
There is probably enough info on this thread BUT, I'm building what I call a rair engine right now. 59 on the bell, won't hold a pencil, has an aluminum rope rear seal retainer in the rear cap, and is 3-1/16 bore. I've had a few of these 59 blocks with 3-1/16 bore but don't remember seeing an aluminum rear cap seal retainer. OH, also has the round boss on top of the bell to drill for full flow filter. It's blocks like this that keeps use old flathead builders on our toes. Walt
Yoyodyne
Well-known member
What block is this? It appears to be new, the bores are 3.187 with a 3.265 dia x .045 deep counterbore at the top. The mains are 1938 size.
On edit - The mains are .100 larger dia than 1938.
On edit - The mains are .100 larger dia than 1938.
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rotorwrench
Well-known member
It appears to be a pre-41 24-stud 221 block. The counterbores may be for sleeves that have been removed. If it still has the 2.399" mains and had studs for the mains it should be a 1938 or possibly early production 39 standard.
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Yoyodyne
Well-known member
I rechecked, the main bores are .100 larger than 36-38. Does that make it 39 and 40? If that's correct, does the 3.187 bore mean it is a mercury block? would the Merc blocks have had the remnants of a sleeve counterbore at the top of the bore? It didn't have any studs in it when I got it.
This was under a friends workbench for 20 years, he bought it second hand as a brand new block so it's probably a ford service part. The exhaust ports are perfectly clean and so is the waterjacket, it looks unused to me. There are some miscellaneous numbers and symbols stamped at several locations.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
Tin can sleeves were common in that time frame. The sleeve could be removed & replaced using standard pistons or they used to have some pistons sized to just hone the bore after removal of the sleeves. Many of these were bored to 3 3/16" and standard 239 pistons fitted. The trapezoidal (keystone shaped) hole in the center of the deck IDs the block as a 221 with 3 1/16" pistons originally. The Mercury & truck 95 HP 239 blocks had round holes in the center of the decks.
If it is already 3.1875 in the bores and can be honed to clean, you can still go with 239 pistons & have a 239 CID motor.
If it is already 3.1875 in the bores and can be honed to clean, you can still go with 239 pistons & have a 239 CID motor.
Fairlane500
Senior Member
C69A Engine used in some 48 fords in New Zealand, I have had one with std 59A valve train and one with 8BA valve train. Have an 8BA style rear cap normally although with the one pictured we modified a 59A one as it was missing.
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rotorwrench
Well-known member
It looks like you have the later type distributor gear on the end of the camshaft. Was it originally set up with an 8BA type distributor or is it converted?
Fairlane500
Senior Member
No I converted the entire front end and all internals, 4"Mercury Crank, rods, valve train to 8BA.
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I have a couple of prewar 3 3/16 bore blocks with the keystone water passage. One of the blocks has an extra tapped oil hole into the oil passage at the rear of the block. The photo of the 59L block in previous posts show the boss but the hole is untapped. My question is how was the this used in the system? Did it allow for a full flow oil filter or oil cooler connection. I'm adding a "59 type oil filter" and am wondering if I could plumb it with this hole. The 3 tapped holes on the bell housing area are all into the same passage way which is confusing me.
Any ideas? I'll try to post a pic in the next day or 2.
Thanks Paul J.
Any ideas? I'll try to post a pic in the next day or 2.
Thanks Paul J.
Mart
Well-known member
Look to see if the cross passage has been plugged. This is very important. If unplugged you can do what you say. If plugged, you need to unplug it, or convert to 95% full flow filtering.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The original purpose was for an oil cooler installation. The blocks manufactured during and after the war had the boss but not all are drilled and tapped. It depended on the application as to whether it was opened up or not. As was mentioned, the two ports have to be issolated to use for a filter so you have to check for the plug in the horizontal passage between the two.
Bren gun carriers used the early style Canadian block and they had an oil cooler system. These were produced through out the war and many were surplused out after the war.
Bren gun carriers used the early style Canadian block and they had an oil cooler system. These were produced through out the war and many were surplused out after the war.
If I understand your statement right I can run a 59A filter off of one of the ports and then return to the pan via the tapped hole in the dipstick boss. I will double check to be sure all 3 tapped ports are open to each other. On the other hand how would a person run the 95% full flow filter you have mentioned? Does this just involve plugging the passage to separate this 1 port from the other 2 and running a modern full flow filter? I've read articles on drilling blocks which are the more common 2 port to be able to run a full flow filter.
Thanks Paul J.
Mart
Well-known member
A few threads on the subject on the Barn.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?source=search_app#q=flow+filter+site:www.fordbarn.com
Mart.
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?source=search_app#q=flow+filter+site:www.fordbarn.com
Mart.