The Ford Barn

david.skinner · 06-08-2016, 08:33 PM

There are a set of 81A heads for sale in a town close to where I live.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1101935909

My wife has a 36 ford pickup with what I believe is a 38 engine in it.
it has:

24 stud heads
long snout out of the front of the crankshaft
Radiator fan mounted on the end of the generator
the pencil lip above the distributor
the heavy (not recessed) inlet manifold
the oil pan freeze thingy marks (which I don't understand).

However it currently has two different heads on it and I'm pretty sure they are different compression heads. When I ran a compression test I got dead on 80psi on the left bank (which I think is a truck head) and 100psi on the right bank. The head on the right bank has got made in Canada stamped on it. I'm keen to put on a matching set (cause I'm like that), but I want to check the heads will fit this engine so any advice on how to check this would be appreciated. I believe the seller is a member of this forum as he mentioned Old Henry in his advert.

Thanks in advance.
David

swoopNZ · 06-08-2016, 09:38 PM

Have a look at the block in front of your RH cylinder head.
Should read 81A or 99A or something like that.
If it is 59A or C69A or similar ( post war ), that number will be stamped on top of the bell housing.
Canadian C81A heads are a good choice on 38-41 motors.
There was a time not so long ago when you could buy them for $50.
If you miss out on those ones on Trade Me then give Ajays in Waihi a call.
Cheers,
Chris.NZ.
New Plymouth.

david.skinner · 06-08-2016, 10:42 PM

Thanks Chris - This is stamped on the block in front of the RH head ?

swoopNZ · 06-09-2016, 01:24 AM

Well it looks like 81.
If it has the longer ( and bigger ) crankshaft, then it's a 39-41 engine.
There is room to mount a six bladed fan at the end of the crankshaft if needed ( for 39 deluxe )
The block with 81 stamped on it but with the shorter crankshaft is the 1 year only 1938 engine. ( fan mounted on the generator )

david.skinner · 06-09-2016, 03:34 AM

Thanks for that Chris. Much appreciated.
D.

V8COOPMAN · 06-09-2016, 01:44 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I realize we're talking about NZ $$$, but $350 is still stupid money for a pair of what appear to be a pair of pretty-well eaten-up (corroded) heads internally, as indicated by the pits surrounding the water transfer holes at the center. Far nicer heads, even NOS, become available for near 25% of that figure over here. DD

my4dv8 · 06-09-2016, 02:56 PM

Sorry but that's silly money for a pair of corroded heads that will need a lot of work to reuse. Not sure if I have a pair but they should be 350% less than that. Now if they were alloy brand name heads that would be different.
These may not be correct for your pickup but at least they look slightly better and the price is nice.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...?id=1100981158

david.skinner · 06-09-2016, 07:13 PM

Yes - I did wonder - I have asked Ajays to see what they can do.

Phil Gillespie · 06-09-2016, 07:20 PM

Had similar case of mismatched heads on my 39 coupe. Went with a nice pair of Edelbrock Heads. Reckon they are worth it as being new no hidden surprises.
Phil NZ

my4dv8 · 06-11-2016, 04:03 AM

http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1101935909.
I think I may sell this guy a few dozen of our used heads for $200 and he can sell them for $350 and make a killing . Sweet we have enough spare cash to rebuild a new flathead.

06-08-2016, 08:33 PM	#1
david.skinner Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wellington NZ Posts: 85	Are these the right heads for my wife's car? There are a set of 81A heads for sale in a town close to where I live. http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1101935909 My wife has a 36 ford pickup with what I believe is a 38 engine in it. it has: 24 stud heads long snout out of the front of the crankshaft Radiator fan mounted on the end of the generator the pencil lip above the distributor the heavy (not recessed) inlet manifold the oil pan freeze thingy marks (which I don't understand). However it currently has two different heads on it and I'm pretty sure they are different compression heads. When I ran a compression test I got dead on 80psi on the left bank (which I think is a truck head) and 100psi on the right bank. The head on the right bank has got made in Canada stamped on it. I'm keen to put on a matching set (cause I'm like that), but I want to check the heads will fit this engine so any advice on how to check this would be appreciated. I believe the seller is a member of this forum as he mentioned Old Henry in his advert. Thanks in advance. David

06-08-2016, 09:38 PM	#2
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? Have a look at the block in front of your RH cylinder head. Should read 81A or 99A or something like that. If it is 59A or C69A or similar ( post war ), that number will be stamped on top of the bell housing. Canadian C81A heads are a good choice on 38-41 motors. There was a time not so long ago when you could buy them for $50. If you miss out on those ones on Trade Me then give Ajays in Waihi a call. Cheers, Chris.NZ. New Plymouth.

06-09-2016, 01:24 AM	#4
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? Well it looks like 81. If it has the longer ( and bigger ) crankshaft, then it's a 39-41 engine. There is room to mount a six bladed fan at the end of the crankshaft if needed ( for 39 deluxe ) The block with 81 stamped on it but with the shorter crankshaft is the 1 year only 1938 engine. ( fan mounted on the generator )

06-09-2016, 03:34 AM	#5
david.skinner Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wellington NZ Posts: 85	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? Thanks for that Chris. Much appreciated. D.

06-09-2016, 01:44 PM	#6
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,184	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I realize we're talking about NZ $$$, but $350 is still stupid money for a pair of what appear to be a pair of pretty-well eaten-up (corroded) heads internally, as indicated by the pits surrounding the water transfer holes at the center. Far nicer heads, even NOS, become available for near 25% of that figure over here. DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

06-09-2016, 02:56 PM	#7
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,131	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? Sorry but that's silly money for a pair of corroded heads that will need a lot of work to reuse. Not sure if I have a pair but they should be 350% less than that. Now if they were alloy brand name heads that would be different. These may not be correct for your pickup but at least they look slightly better and the price is nice. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...?id=1100981158 Last edited by my4dv8; 06-09-2016 at 03:02 PM.

06-09-2016, 07:13 PM	#8
david.skinner Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wellington NZ Posts: 85	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? Yes - I did wonder - I have asked Ajays to see what they can do.

06-09-2016, 07:20 PM	#9
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,640	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? Had similar case of mismatched heads on my 39 coupe. Went with a nice pair of Edelbrock Heads. Reckon they are worth it as being new no hidden surprises. Phil NZ

06-11-2016, 04:03 AM	#10
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,131	Re: Are these the right heads for my wife's car? http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1101935909. I think I may sell this guy a few dozen of our used heads for $200 and he can sell them for $350 and make a killing . Sweet we have enough spare cash to rebuild a new flathead.