Help ID block

[HELENT]

Good Morning,

A friend of mine came by with a block, we are trying to ID, on the bell housing casting is 59L. What type of block would that be or year? It has another number on top of the intake, starts with 99A and a series of numbers. Would that be a reman engine? And the block has already been relieved around the valves would that be a factory modification?

Thanks for your help!!
HelenT

[Admiral]

I have a 59L in my car. Supposedly they're really good blocks, possibly made of higher-quality iron. Mine was not cracked and is now bored 0.080" over (it had already been punched out 0.060" when I got it). Rumor has it these engines came out of Canadian trucks and/or buses and have thicker cylinder walls, but who knows. I'm sure some of them found their way into passenger vehicles as well. Anyway, that's just what I heard. I believe they were produced in the late 1940s.

[ford38v8]

Helen, It is a 59 series block, post war. The L designation indicates Canadian truck, factory relieved, high rev low compression cam. The stamped numbers apparently represent a rebuilder, or perhaps a previous owner's serial number, not a factory mark.

Thicker cylinder walls and better steel are myth.

[KiWinUS]

Not all "L" blocks are factory relieved , there have been many discussions on these blocks I believe . They seem to have many configurations . I have one out of a school bus that I suspect had never been apart that is not relieved & has insert bearings not floaters & crank to suit.
Have fun with it !

[Ol' Ron]

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The 99A would suggest 1939/41 Merc/truck. However the 59 series block is quite different. So thid thing has been around the block a few times. Have it pressure tested and run it.