Help with Flathead Identification

1

19-c

Senior Member
I have a 24 stud Flathead with the "Divers Helmet" distributor. the heads just have an "A" stamped in them with no number before it. Ive never seen just the letter with no number. the ****** is a 39 Any idea what year it might be? thanks
 
19-c said:
I have a 24 stud Flathead with the "Divers Helmet" distributor. the heads just have an "A" stamped in them with no number before it. Ive never seen just the letter with no number. the ****** is a 39 Any idea what year it might be? thanks
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Is the transmission original to the engine? If so, what are the serial numbers above the clutch inspection plate on the flat area at top of transmission bell?
 
"A" heads are usually found on39,40 and 41 engines. If the transmission is a 39 by the serial number, then it's a good bet that the engine is a 39.
 
Freeze plugs just above the oil pan means it is a 39 or 40. That is how I tell the difference for the motor. Heads come and go. The block is what would mostly be interested in.
 
Does the block have what appears to have a "raised deck" under the intake manifold? If so it may be a 99 block, very desirable as the cylinder walls are supposedly thicker than a standard 239 block.

Jim
 
Wow thanks guys! I have identified the trans as a 39 so i think i have myself a 39 motor also but i am not positive thats the original trans either anything is possible. I can not find any frost plugs above the oil pan. here are some pics. thank again
 

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Swho a pic of the side of the block...you can see the bulges for said plugs with pan on. Does look like a '39 type.
Look around RF of the block top, general area shown with rust on in first pic, for "99" stamped, not cast, into surface. Some '39-40 239's are marked that way.
Next step is measuring bore to see if 3 1/16 or 3 3/16 engine.
 
no luck with a "99" there is a triangle with a 9 or a 6 in it also a circle with a K in it. Towards the rear of the intake surface on the passenger side there is a circle with a 9 in it
 
Look at sides of block...if you have the freeze plugs you will see two vertical ridges leading to the location of the plugs, which are out of sight on the pan gasket rails.
 
If your block has bumps it is not a 39 or 40. The bumps came after the freeze plugs were eliminated. Those are the only years with 24 studs and freeze plugs except maybe late 38. If your willing to take the intake manifold off you can see the serial number which will also help with the year identification.
 
Joe KCMO said:
If your block has bumps it is not a 39 or 40. The bumps came after the freeze plugs were eliminated. Those are the only years with 24 studs and freeze plugs except maybe late 38. If your willing to take the intake manifold off you can see the serial number which will also help with the year identification.
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I thought flatheads didn't have a serial number.
 
The bumps are the casting fairings that allow room on the pan rails for the freezeplugs. They were eliminated in 1941 when the freeze plugs went away.
The plugs themselves cannot be seen until pan and gasket are off.
 
Why did they put freeze plugs inside the pan?? wouldnt u want them to be on the outside of the motor? im confused (which is not hard to do) lol
 
They are not in the pan, but on the edge of the block which the pan bolts too. I would imagine, if frozen, they give more than the block
 
The infamous bump. Nothing I can see resembles a frost plug as I am familiar with
 

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