'41, An Enigma!

[Fred A]

I grew up with old Fords, but mostly went with '40s as they were always quite common. On a whim I just bought a '41 convert project, and immediately put it into storage. What have I done? It sure is no '40. I'll be searching this site for clues. Thanks: Fred A

[deuce_roadster]

Lots of parts are 41 only. A few things the same, like the rear axle shafts, distributor. I hope your car is complete.

[mhsprecher]

There were a lot of changes through the year, too, so be aware of that. Have fun and keep us posted!

[corvette8n]

https://shop.efv8.org/products/1941-...aqqwaKFEJYYyv6

First thing I bought when I got my ‘41.

[Ggmac]

You will be amazed . On my fifth 41 , still learning. Have 3 currently.

[Hitman]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Is it blue with a red interior?

[fortyonerag]

Oh the humanity!!!! What possessed you????

[rotorwrench]

Change over years always had differences but the 1941 models had more than most. Some were due to the new G-series inline 6 and others were due to the three trim levels available that year. Wider body and longer frames were others. They changed again in 1942 but production only lasted till February of that year. It picked right back up with few changes in late 1945.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by fortyonerag

Oh the humanity!!!! What possessed you????

What are you using for dash panel lights? All NZ built 46/48 carry 41 US style instruments. Mine are not that bright. Is yours on 12 V?

GB

[SoCalCoupe]

I've had a '41 Special Business Coupe for about 3 years. Agree with Corvette8N, get the EFV8 club book. Also, get a parts book off of eBay if you don't have it already, sometimes called the green bible. Yes, "it sure is no '40." That's one of the things I like about it, I've got something different. They're not real valuable compared to other years but that's OK.


Had planed a lot of modifications but decided to go the other direction and keep it as original as possible. Having a lot of fun with it and appreciate the challenge. It's still 6V, 3 on the tree, black wall tires and dog dish hub caps.


It didn't run worth a c4@p when I bought it and sometimes wouldn't start, especially when hot. Got a good carb with new throttle shafts to fix the vacuum leaks. Added a missing ground strap that fixed the hard start problem. Got a Skip Haney coil and Tubman condenser and that was like getting the engine rebuilt. Got a K. R. Wilson distributor timing tool to finish the job. Adjusted the clutch to take the crunchyness out of the transmission and on and on and on....



It had about 5000 miles on the odometer when I bought it and no history. I'm making up my own story as I go along.


My story is that the original owner put it in a barn, went off to war in 1942 and never came back. It was pulled out of the barn in the early 2000's and paint, upholstery and engine were restored.



Been collecting a lot of 40's and wartime memorabilia to show with it. I have book of ration stamps on the way I just bought off of eBay.

[1942deluxe]

Along with the "green bible" 1928-48 parts manual I would also buy the 1938-44 parts manual. By the time the green bible was issued in November of 1950 some of the part numbers where superseded. Having both will give you a paper trail of any changes. Also try to find a body parts book covering 1941. If you are not a member of the Early V8 club I'd advise you to join. Fred Killian is the 41-42 advisor, and he's helped me multiple times.

[corvette8n]

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255741
Some of my ‘41 memorabilia. I have a lot more now.

Originally Posted by SoCalCoupe

I've had a '41 Special Business Coupe for about 3 years. Agree with Corvette8N, get the EFV8 club book. Also, get a parts book off of eBay if you don't have it already, sometimes called the green bible. Yes, "it sure is no '40." That's one of the things I like about it, I've got something different. They're not real valuable compared to other years but that's OK.


Had planed a lot of modifications but decided to go the other direction and keep it as original as possible. Having a lot of fun with it and appreciate the challenge. It's still 6V, 3 on the tree, black wall tires and dog dish hub caps.


It didn't run worth a c4@p when I bought it and sometimes wouldn't start, especially when hot. Got a good carb with new throttle shafts to fix the vacuum leaks. Added a missing ground strap that fixed the hard start problem. Got a Skip Haney coil and Tubman condenser and that was like getting the engine rebuilt. Got a K. R. Wilson distributor timing tool to finish the job. Adjusted the clutch to take the crunchyness out of the transmission and on and on and on....



It had about 5000 miles on the odometer when I bought it and no history. I'm making up my own story as I go along.


My story is that the original owner put it in a barn, went off to war in 1942 and never came back. It was pulled out of the barn in the early 2000's and paint, upholstery and engine were restored.



Been collecting a lot of 40's and wartime memorabilia to show with it. I have book of ration stamps on the way I just bought off of eBay.

[fortyonerag]

Originally Posted by Graeme / New Zealand

What are you using for dash panel lights? All NZ built 46/48 carry 41 US style instruments. Mine are not that bright. Is yours on 12 V?

GB

Yes I'm on 12V, but I have put a few extra lights in there as well. My old eyes need all the help they can get


From about post13 onwards explains how I did it.



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188310


PM me for details

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by fortyonerag

Yes I'm on 12V, but I have put a few extra lights in there as well. My old eyes need all the help they can get


From about post13 onwards explains how I did it.



https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188310


PM me for details

Thanks I was just interested I'm still on 6v

GB

[Fred A]

The '41 arrived with a 59A engine. It needs work. I found a 59T which looks more like the '41 engines and has a fairly clean bore, but the truck relief? Can the lower compression be worked around while getting the correct '41 appearance?, like Pan, intake, carb, generator, radiator, horn, battery mount. Any late '40, = easy to find. I'm ass deep in '40. Some cars scream for authentic. Rag tops could be one. Thanks:
Fred A

[TomC750]

I like my 41 Merc for two reasons, a '41 was my first car, and the grille is unique to that year. I see 46 - 48's at shows, but not 41, Ford or Merc, although I am most likely to at Springfield.

[Bored&Stroked]

You mentioned the 59T looking more like a 41 engine . . . you must be talking about heads and other "bolt-on" stuff . . . as the blocks are nearly identical between all 59x versions.

I can see no issue with using a 59 series block and putting every last 41' part on it . . . it should all work just fine. One potential issue -> I don't remember if the cam snout on a 59T is the same as the 41 Ford? This is the only thing I can see as a potential issue (due to the distributors between 41 and post war possibly being different as far as reach to the cam face).

Question: Did the 41 have the 'Divers Helmet' style distributor and a 3-bolt timing cover or did they already go to a crab?

Appearance: The only way somebody could possible tell is that the 59 will not have a "raised intake" area in the block intake surface casting (which is almost impossible to see anyway). My guess is that the 41 most likely had the raised intake surface (though not sure with Ford 221 motors - I've only worked on Mercs?).

The later engine has more cubic inches and this should make up for the little loss in compression, though my bet is the original 41 heads will have tighter chambers than the 59's anyway - so you'll be ahead of an original 221 Ford engine anyway.

Feel free to post any questions my way.

[cadillac512]

The '41 had the diver's helmet and three bolt distributor.

[38 coupe]

All external parts from a 41 engine can be bolted onto a 59 series engine. You will probably need to clearance the pre-war heads above the valves, there were fixtures made for doing this and someone in your area may have one. You may also find a set of heads that already have been clearanced.
The early shorter shaft distributor and later shorter cam can easily be run by adding the spacer sold by vendors.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by cadillac512

The '41 had the diver's helmet and three bolt distributor.

I kind of figured that and if it was my engine (as it already had a 59A in it), I'd go to the later distributor and 2-bolt timing cover.

It is much easier to work on a 42 - 48 distributor (in the car) than a 32 - 41 distributor.