Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

My Father in Law has this awesome 1939 Ford Tonner Truck
He wanted to registrate it overhere but the folks from the Dutch DVLA wanted him to come up with some engine info...

I'm as far on the research that it's a 24 stud and it has to be an early one because the heads are bolted to the blocks with 24 studs and nuts instead of the later '49 - '53 once who suposed to have bolts ( as vanpelt site says )

I cant see any number on the engine so far, on the head there's an A
and the belhousing nr reads: BB18-49929** ( starts are nr's also )


Does anyone has some info on this engine.. what it could be?
I think BB18 makes it a big truck with 221... but more info / prove would be awesome!

Thanks in advance!

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

What do they need to know? The engine number should be found on the transmission. There's a flat section at the top of the bell on the trans, number should be there.
Martin.

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

They probably want to know if it is 221, or 239 for tax purposes, it could be either, you need to know the bore size of your engine

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

The heads by themselves will not tell you much because it is easy to move heads from one engine to another. At the race tracks they have what they call a huffer that is used to check engine size. Not sure how common they are or where to go to find one! As stated above, I would start with what is called the engine number (all thought it is located on the transmission). They may not realize that and except it as an engine ID. IF the transmission is original, the number should match the frame number. Sounds like it may really be a matter of what they will except more that what the engine really is. The only way to determine what it is would be to actually measure it in some way. One method would be to pull a head and take the measurements. That would tell you for sure what it is, but may not be something they would except! Do you really want to know what the engine is or just come up with something that is expectable to the DVLA?

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

Thanks Guy's, I did find the belhousing nr, I think I only need a sort of list where the numbers lead back to what engine and year / model..

anyone? nr = BB18-49929**

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

You really need to look at the engine itself.

24 stud, after mid 1938.
Crab distributor, 1941-48. (although I can't tell if that's a 32-41 3bolt or 41-48 2bolt dizzy)

Engines and timing covers do get changed out.

Nice truck!

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

The 18 means, as you think, that the truck was built originally as a 221. Had it been built as a 239 the number there would be 99.
The A on cylinder head is the mark for 81a heads as used on several years of early 24 studs, truly identifying the block requires some detail examination.
Here's a list, noting that your number is in the range for 1939 221...
Note that ALL USA built 221's regardless of passenger vs. commercial vs truck were numbered in the same series, which is just a numerical listing of all 221's built since 1932. The "BB" is just a sort of added note that this is a truck unit...I think it really denotes the 4-speed transmission, which is where the power unit was originally numbered.

Oops...forgot the list link:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ialnumbers.htm
Also, ignore the distributor...I believe that's an aftermarket Mallory.

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

It's a 1939. The engine appears to be the original with some external updates ... but, there's nothing visible that keeps it from being a 1939. Thus, 221 ci with 85 bhp.

Use Mac Van Pelt's website which you can show them:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...85to100mid.htm

We are complicating something that may be very simple. First rule in registering any old car is to know the rules, second, give only the necessary information.

(If Lotte stills works at the DMV, tell her Hoop says, "Hi.")

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

Bruce I agree it is an aftermarket distributor. But if its a 3 bolt then it puts it most probably between mid 1938 to 1941.

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

Don't miss VonSkip's website:

http://www.vonskip.com

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

I would use the correct page from the big parts book or the service bulletins where specs are. Those pages are official Ford documentation. As for 221 or 239 I would think what you have is a 221. Only way anyone is going to prove different is to pull a head and measure the bore and I do not believe your version of the DMV or ours is equiped to do that or will insist on doing it.

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

As far as I know, The A on the heads denotes '39 or '40 221. If it were the 239 Mercury type engine that was a truck option, the head number would be 99 something.

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

Thanks Sooo Much guys!!! I'm sure I can make the Dutch inspection happy with this info.
In no way am I going to take the head of the perfectly running engine ;-)
I know they sometimes let guys overhere take the body of the MOdel A's to inspect the original * Ford Frame / engine number but I've never heard anyone who had to take the engine appart...

Cheers For now,

Skip http://www.VonSkip.com

@ JimTN, would you know.. is there a way to get a copy of the big parts book or the service bulletins where specs are?

Re: Looking for 24 Stud BB18 V8 Flathead info
 

The A on the heads only proves what the heads are. Plenty have different heads on different blocks.
If your lucky there maybe a cast in number above the right hand water pump just in front of the head, if it's 99 first a 239. Without a cast in number here, it's head Pulling time.
Martin.