"As far as 'early" and "late"... those are simply terms tossed around by folks in the hobby and have no real definition."
Dean,
With your '36, early/late are most frequently applied to 1. distributors, 2. engines.
Kube is, of course, correct that they can be cloudy terms. Distributors in '36 came in two designs, and it's only a guess which one your car, which seems to be sorta mid-year, would have. Even further, it's only a "guess" which distributor is on it now since a number will fit.
First thing is to identify your current distributor before working on it or replacing anything especially the coil ... there are different coils including later designs which may be installed.
A '36 should have a helmet distributor with a coil that is attached with 3 screws OR one that is attached with 2 screws that are set diagonally from each other. Your '39 should have a coil with 2 screws set on a line parallel to the front axle, but not diagonal.
(You could even have a "crab" or "pancake" later distributor.)
http://philbingroup.com/fhcatalog.htm
(Conversion to late 11A advance would be a separate discussion.)
The other early/late area is the engine. Ford built both babbitt engines and insert engines in 1936. Contrary to a lot of information, they were both built during the entire production year. Early vs Late means nothing. Identifying them without pulling the pan is difficult and unreliable. As far as originality, either is correct for the entire year.
(I have a spare 3 screw distributor core, have to see if I have a rebuildable coil. Family coming for visit early Aug. Can send it back with them. Yours if you need it.)