The Ford Barn

ckh · 10-05-2025, 12:01 PM

I believe FoMoCo changed main bearings from babbit to inserts at some point
in 1937. Is this correct? If so, what was the last engine # that had babbit
bearings? All replys appreciated.

Thanks,
CKH

KiWinUS · 10-05-2025, 12:10 PM

Mid 36. Engines do not have any kind of serial number.

Ggmac · 10-05-2025, 12:15 PM

Agreed , mid 36 . I have 2 very good running motors . Both have hps ? Stamped on block / head surface . I have no idea what it means , hard seats ? , hard sleeves and pistons? Which one still had , standard bore , no ridge .

ckh · 10-05-2025, 12:26 PM

Thanks KiWinUS nd Ggmac. That's just the info I needed. Went through the hassle of
having the babbit replaced in an early 36. Never again!

CKH

nelsb01 · 10-05-2025, 03:40 PM

I have a late 1936 21 stud with LB stamped on the block surface. I think that is how the late 1936 blocks were labeled.

Ggmac · 10-05-2025, 04:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Too many fake LB stamped blocks .

glennpm · 10-06-2025, 05:32 AM

FoMoCo changed main bearings from babbit to inserts with the LB blocks

38 coupe · 10-06-2025, 05:42 AM

Ford produced babbitt main blocks along side insert main blocks from late 1935 through the end of 1936 model year production. This is typical of Ford practice at the time, using some part of the population to test a change while continuing the old method at the same time.
Not all LB blocks are stamped, the one dad picked up to use in my brother's 32 does not have any stamped markings indicating the insert mains.

Ggmac · 10-06-2025, 06:44 AM

The 2 I have do not have LB stamped. Ive had a few that were babbit and one of those were stamped LB . Probably to raise its resale value.

Lawrie · 10-06-2025, 02:12 PM

all the 36 blocks I have seen have a small hole(about1/2 -5/8) in the lower front right of the engine block down by the fan pulley, will post a pick later this morning,
Lawrie

Lawrie · 10-06-2025, 04:17 PM

Picture o

petehoovie · 10-06-2025, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Picture o

34fordy · 10-06-2025, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrie

all the 36 blocks I have seen have a small hole(about1/2 -5/8) in the lower front right of the engine block down by the fan pulley, will post a pick later this morning,
Lawrie

What do you feel this indicates Lawrie?

Brian · 10-06-2025, 10:04 PM

those holes are present in all Canadian engines with liner main bearings, ie 36 LB on.... Quick and easy way to identify LB 36 engines. American engines didn't have that feature. There is another of those holes at rear of those blocks, can't see it with the oil pan on. I assume they were drilled during manufacture to be used to locate the blocks in fixtures for machining.

Lawrie · 10-07-2025, 12:41 AM

I think you are right Brian.
unfortunately this block ended in the bin, Way too rusty in the bore to reclaim
the hole down the back of the block is a larger one, maybe so the block only went one way on the Jig.
Lawrie

Ggmac · 10-07-2025, 05:03 AM

I checked my 2 lb 36 motors and no holes .

38 coupe · 10-07-2025, 05:04 AM

Here is a picture of a Canadian engine with the oil pan off showing both the holes discussed by Lawrie and Brian:

glennpm · 10-07-2025, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Here is a picture of a Canadian engine with the oil pan off showing both the holes discussed by Lawrie and Brian:

Pages 296 and 298 from https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sfxwc...=24fyili9&dl=0

10-05-2025, 12:01 PM	#1
ckh Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 31	1937 21 stud engine info I believe FoMoCo changed main bearings from babbit to inserts at some point in 1937. Is this correct? If so, what was the last engine # that had babbit bearings? All replys appreciated. Thanks, CKH

10-05-2025, 12:10 PM	#2
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,415	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info Mid 36. Engines do not have any kind of serial number.

10-05-2025, 12:15 PM	#3
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,466	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info Agreed , mid 36 . I have 2 very good running motors . Both have hps ? Stamped on block / head surface . I have no idea what it means , hard seats ? , hard sleeves and pistons? Which one still had , standard bore , no ridge .

10-05-2025, 12:26 PM	#4
ckh Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 31	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info Thanks KiWinUS nd Ggmac. That's just the info I needed. Went through the hassle of having the babbit replaced in an early 36. Never again! CKH

10-05-2025, 03:40 PM	#5
nelsb01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Up North Posts: 870	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info I have a late 1936 21 stud with LB stamped on the block surface. I think that is how the late 1936 blocks were labeled.

10-05-2025, 04:12 PM	#6
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,466	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Too many fake LB stamped blocks .

10-06-2025, 05:32 AM	#7
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 3,346	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info FoMoCo changed main bearings from babbit to inserts with the LB blocks __________________ Archives of historical but relevant older articles: ------------- Hover mouse over the links below and click! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------- Rumble Seat’s Notes Techno Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford

10-06-2025, 05:42 AM	#8
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,135	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info Ford produced babbitt main blocks along side insert main blocks from late 1935 through the end of 1936 model year production. This is typical of Ford practice at the time, using some part of the population to test a change while continuing the old method at the same time. Not all LB blocks are stamped, the one dad picked up to use in my brother's 32 does not have any stamped markings indicating the insert mains.

10-06-2025, 06:44 AM	#9
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,466	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info The 2 I have do not have LB stamped. Ive had a few that were babbit and one of those were stamped LB . Probably to raise its resale value.

10-06-2025, 02:12 PM	#10
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,728	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info all the 36 blocks I have seen have a small hole(about1/2 -5/8) in the lower front right of the engine block down by the fan pulley, will post a pick later this morning, Lawrie

10-06-2025, 10:04 PM	#14
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 4,096	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info those holes are present in all Canadian engines with liner main bearings, ie 36 LB on.... Quick and easy way to identify LB 36 engines. American engines didn't have that feature. There is another of those holes at rear of those blocks, can't see it with the oil pan on. I assume they were drilled during manufacture to be used to locate the blocks in fixtures for machining. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

10-07-2025, 12:41 AM	#15
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,728	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info I think you are right Brian. unfortunately this block ended in the bin, Way too rusty in the bore to reclaim the hole down the back of the block is a larger one, maybe so the block only went one way on the Jig. Lawrie

10-07-2025, 05:03 AM	#16
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,466	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info I checked my 2 lb 36 motors and no holes .

10-07-2025, 05:04 AM	#17
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,135	Re: 1937 21 stud engine info Here is a picture of a Canadian engine with the oil pan off showing both the holes discussed by Lawrie and Brian: