The Ford Barn

Andy · 08-13-2025, 07:42 PM

I missed buying an engine marked 59 L. Was it something I should have bought?

tubman · 08-13-2025, 07:48 PM

These days, you should probably grab every decent block you can. Nothnig special, except for braggin' rights.

ford38v8 · 08-13-2025, 08:15 PM

59L was a low compression, high RPM, high torque truck engine, with a factory relief job. I had one in my '38 along with a 3.78 banjo. Top speed on the desert wasn't great, it would cross Nevada at 76 mph, off the line was slow also, but it could take any mountain except switchbacks in 3rd gear. I never did go for a Pike's Peak T shirt, and SF has hills with speed limits, not mountains so that doesn't count.
Yes, you missed out on a good travellin' man's engine.

Flathead Fever · 08-13-2025, 10:18 PM

I buy flatheads and file them away for future use. I have at least a dozen of them. I bought a 59L motor just because of the "L" and when I pulled the heads it wasn't factory relieved. Apparently not all 59L motors were relieved.

ford38v8 · Yesterday, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

I buy flatheads and file them away for future use. I have at least a dozen of them. I bought a 59L motor just because of the "L" and when I pulled the heads it wasn't factory relieved. Apparently not all 59L motors were relieved.

That makes sense, as I’ve heard that not all 59L blocks were in trucks.
I wonder which came first, the factory relief or the backyard port & relief?

Ken/Alabama · Yesterday, 07:12 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

I buy flatheads and file them away for future use. I have at least a dozen of them. I bought a 59L motor just because of the "L" and when I pulled the heads it wasn't factory relieved. Apparently not all 59L motors were relieved.

I have one also that’s not relieved.

37pickuup · Yesterday, 08:24 PM

this is the one i got for free. dint no much about them but was told i came up on this one.

petehoovie · Yesterday, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37pickuup

this is the one i got for free. dint no much about them but was told i came up on this one.

Tim Ayers · Yesterday, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

I buy flatheads and file them away for future use. I have at least a dozen of them. I bought a 59L motor just because of the "L" and when I pulled the heads it wasn't factory relieved. Apparently not all 59L motors were relieved.

That is correct. Not every L is factory relieved.

08-13-2025, 07:42 PM	#1
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,879	59 L engine I missed buying an engine marked 59 L. Was it something I should have bought?

08-13-2025, 07:48 PM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,638	Re: 59 L engine These days, you should probably grab every decent block you can. Nothnig special, except for braggin' rights.

08-13-2025, 08:15 PM	#3
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,285	Re: 59 L engine 59L was a low compression, high RPM, high torque truck engine, with a factory relief job. I had one in my '38 along with a 3.78 banjo. Top speed on the desert wasn't great, it would cross Nevada at 76 mph, off the line was slow also, but it could take any mountain except switchbacks in 3rd gear. I never did go for a Pike's Peak T shirt, and SF has hills with speed limits, not mountains so that doesn't count. Yes, you missed out on a good travellin' man's engine. __________________ Alan

08-13-2025, 10:18 PM	#4
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,360	Re: 59 L engine I buy flatheads and file them away for future use. I have at least a dozen of them. I bought a 59L motor just because of the "L" and when I pulled the heads it wasn't factory relieved. Apparently not all 59L motors were relieved.