Starter to oil pan bracket

Lawson Cox

Well-known member
I have searched several ways and cannot find anything on when Ford first started using said bracket. Neither my 34 nor my 36 had one as I recall. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks a heap.
 
look on the oil pan rail for a cut out area on the pan rail, that is to allow the clip to lay flat, I have installed them on a 36 tudor that I believe was the first one I ever saw
 
I think Ford added it when the 8BA's were introduced...My '53 was equipped with one...
 
Last edited:
I'm not 100% certain but believe these were first installed by the factory on the '38 models.
They were for certain, installed on all '39 models through at least 1948.
Although this bracket could be fitted to earlier engines, I do not believe they were correct.
Mr. Rehor? What say you sir?
 
Perhaps Alan will enlighten us, but in the meantime, my understanding is the that they were a '38 addition; certainly not before.
 
Limited numbers of 81A-11140 support brackets were available for service as early as April 1938, and had apparently been installed in production piecemeal until October 1938, when 100% of production included the bracket, which then carried the 91A prefix. This implies that there may have been at least some early 1939 assemblies that were not so equipped with the bracket. The first engine assembly at 100% production was #4690144, The revised oil pan went 100% production at # 4692175 on the same date, October 5, 1938.
The above information courtesy of Gary Mallast, in the 1938-39 Ford Book, available from the EFV8CA. Just one more example of the goldmine of information contained in the Club's published books.
 
Thanks Alan. Now to round one up and put it on the display engine. 3rd Gen probably the best bet. Is this site great, or what?
 
It's a wonder that those two long bolts actually do as well as they do about holding the starters on. There must have been enough of them come loose in those early V8 years that Ford finally decided to add the support clip just in case.
 
Thanks Alan. Now to round one up and put it on the display engine. 3rd Gen probably the best bet. Is this site great, or what?


Joe's Antique Auto lists the bracket.

51A-11140 Starter to oil pan attaching
bracket ......................................... 39-48 6.00 ea
 
It's a wonder that those two long bolts actually do as well as they do about holding the starters on. There must have been enough of them come loose in those early V8 years that Ford finally decided to add the support clip just in case.

I'd figured cases were cracking due to no bracket and that's why Ford added it.
I know in the 60's, Chevy added a bracket to their starters. Many guys would not reinstall it (kind of a pain to do so) and would subsequently find themselves with a broken starter body.
 
I think there are at least two versions of this clip but so could be wrong. I bought one online new, but the new version didn’t fit my 8BA. I think I found an old one on eBay and it fit perfectly.
 
Back
Top