Identifying a !(#^ flathead engine

B

Bruce/CT

Well-known member
Hi Guys,
I am interested in a 1936? engine. One of the heads has 405049B on it. Is there any way of telling if it has Babbit bearings or Insert bearings from the outside?
Thanks,
Bruce/CT
 
I have five 36 insert main engines and not one has markings on the intake deck. I always remove pan to measure width of stud spacing to confirm block type. I never buy an engine without first removing pan to check condition . The seller should do that to help his sale anyhow.
 
the only way is to pull the pan and measure the distance between the main cap studs, i think the wider one is babbitt, some one else will know
 
36 engine stud spacing

Hi Keystone,
What are the stud spacing amounts for a Babbitt versus Insert Bearing engine? From your reply I expect they are different.
Bruce/CT
 
I think there is a very slight difference in the front of the pan just under where the crank seal is. I believe there is a slight buldge to clear the wider front main stud nuts but without a "insert Bearing Pan" to look at, it may be hard to tell. Also there is an outside chance that there may be a "LB" Pan on the Earlier Block.

I also have a LB Engine without any markings on the top deck.

I guess it gets down to pulling the pan to be sure.

Chris.
 
I also found a '36 LB engine WITHOUT the LB marking on the intake surface. Removing the pan is the best way to tell. The LB mains stud distance center to center measures ~ 3-1/4" while the poured babbitt mains will measure ~ 3" C-C. The oil pan will be slightly wider at the front main but I would not rely on this method alone to determine if engine is LB. After Ford widened the front of the oil pan I'm sure they also used those pans on non LB engines. Plus someone could have put a widened pan on a poured babbitt engine. The best methods are not always the easiest. Remove the pan, measure the distance between studs, and then remove a main cap just to be sure. JMHO
 
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