Pencil test

[Jim]

What is the pencil test and why is it needed? Thanks Jim

[19Fordy]

Posting #15 of this thread explains "pencil test."
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ntake+manifold
The "pencil test" is also discussed in the pages of this thread. Read it all. Pretty interesting.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ntake+manifold

[Jim]

Correct me if I'm wrong, if I understand about the pencil test is that if it passes it is prewar and postwar if it does not pass. Thanks a million everyone. Jim

[1937pickup]

The pencil test is used to determine if a women needs to wear a bra. If she places a pencil under her breast and it stays in place, she should wear a bra. If she places a pencil under her breast and it falls to the floor, she does not need a bra. A very important test in my opinion.

[flat-v8]

Originally Posted by 1937pickup

The pencil test is used to determine if a women needs to wear a bra. If she places a pencil under her breast and it stays in place, she should wear a bra. If she places a pencil under her breast and it falls to the floor, she does not need a bra. A very important test in my opinion.

Good one Haaaa Ha

[Mike in Mass]

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And THIS is the reason I read the fordbarn EVERYDAY . The knowledge that is passed on from "barner to barner" ,,,,much like "father to son " is invalueable,,,or unvalueable,,, or ,let just say "You can,t buy this knowledge ANYWHERE ! ! !

[waynerod]

LOL, how funny, but sounds logical :-)

[Barn Junk]

Originally Posted by Jim

Correct me if I'm wrong, if I understand about the pencil test is that if it passes it is prewar and postwar if it does not pass. Thanks a million everyone. Jim

That stands up pretty well. BUT, there were post war "59" castings, rapidly made as replacement motors, that do pass the "pencil test". Many have the "VOID" of metal next to the intake gasket surface also. And not that is not a raised intake!

[39portlander]

Some pencil test's for you. 1st is a 38 block and 2nd is a complete 39 that passed, the last is a 59AB in my 39 P/U that does not pass. Thanks Walt

[59ab]

I have a 59A engine that passes the pencil test.

[bobH]

Originally Posted by 59ab

I have a 59A engine that passes the pencil test.

Cam cover on?? No fair if the cam cover is on.

[cmbrucew]

Okay 37 pickup
Let's see some pictures.
Bruce

[my4dv8]

Nope not at all.the recessed manifold face was said to have been so ford didn't waste steel , the intake face was not raised ,but the block lowered.

All prewar, 1932 through 1942, V8 blocks will pass what is known as the pencil test. The front of the block above the timing cover has a little shelf that makes the top of the timing cover face in the block. If you can rest a pencil on the block at this location, you have a prewar block. Make sure you are not resting the pencil on the timing cover itself. Here is a picture of a 1938 motor passing the pencil test.

Originally Posted by Barn Junk

That stands up pretty well. BUT, there were post war "59" castings, rapidly made as replacement motors, that do pass the "pencil test". Many have the "VOID" of metal next to the intake gasket surface also. And not that is not a raised intake!

[Talkwrench]

Well I understood it to be the boob test ....? ; o )

[Mart]

The green engine in 39portlander's post shows a good side-on view. You don't need to put a pencil on that one to see it wouldn't stay in place.

(Engine by Walt, by the way).

Mart.

[my4dv8]

If it fails the pencil test it's a boob any how, all be it a small one, well flathead small one.

[Talkwrench]

Yup all good I'm my book : o P

[Tom Morookian]

I see several pictures of blocks with the pencil test applied. Could you please post a (or a whole bunch) of pics of women taking the test?

Originally Posted by 1937pickup

The pencil test is used to determine if a women needs to wear a bra. If she places a pencil under her breast and it stays in place, she should wear a bra. If she places a pencil under her breast and it falls to the floor, she does not need a bra. A very important test in my opinion.

[dwick01]

I tried to give the test to my wife and got slapped upside the head.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Just for something else to talk about. I had a 59 block last winter, it passed the pencil test, it had the raised or sunk(what ever you want to call it)intake, 3-3/16+.040 bore. It could have stared life with a 3-1/6. ALSO, the rear main bearing cap had the removable aluminum seal retainer. Most 59 blocks the rear seal retainer is made right in the cap. If you have been these engines for 60yr's it's fun to find you haven't see before. Walt