'41, An Enigma!

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by 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 can can easily be run by adding the spacer sold by vendors.

38 has it right!

Always check the clearance at the tops of the valves with the earlier heads. You can easily do this with modeling clay. If you find any clearance issues, it will usually be up by the top of the valve (in the "eyebrow" area). You can easily use an air driven die-grinder to add any clearance you may need . . . taking the LEAST amount of material off as possible.

I've seen may folks fly-cut these heads on a milling machine - using an angle that is parallel to the deck. This is not the way to do it as the valves are canted.

So, unless the fixture/head is canted to match the valve angle (and you "move the cutter into the eyebrow from the center", you're removing material where it doesn't need to be removed (material towards the cylinder area).

Compression is your friend, so only remove enough material to make sure the valves are not hitting the head (without a gasket in place).

[fortyonerag]

i recently rebuilt a 59 for my 41. You will be pleased with the extra power.