Canadian Ford Heads

[RalphG]

RalphG,
Still curious about Canadian blocks.
Some on this forum have stated that original prewar Canadian blocks have
casting #s on the deck just front of the head. C 81A , C99A, C59AB etc; some on left some on right. Other V8 guys know much more.
Some heads have "Made in Canada" on heads.

Is your 1938 engine a 21 stud or 24 stud? Both true 38s should have flush front crank pulley -denotes short crankshaft. Compare to your
39 pulley hub --extends 1 1/4 " out from sheave 39 and up have longer cranks.

Loved hearing the 39 running!

Gene Tulsa


Gene, here is a pic of the left side head on my 39. C7RA-A , made in Canada. Forgot to look for a casting number on the deck just in front of the head.

[Bassman/NZ]

Mine has the same heads as your pic, and C59A embossed on the block in front of the left hand head.

[Brian]

Is your 1938 engine a 21 stud or 24 stud? Both true 38s should have flush front crank pulley -denotes short crankshaft. Compare to your
39 pulley hub --extends 1 1/4 " out from sheave 39 and up have longer cranks.

Now, I don't know about that...Whilst I have seen 24 stud engines as you describe, with the shorter crank snout, there are 24 stud engines with 81 cast on them with the larger cranks. Those early 24 stud 221's had no numbers [akin to the 21 studders]. I'd guess that 38's came from the factory with either; 60 HP, 21 stud 221, short snout 24 stud 221, or long snout 221.

[G32]

RalphG;

Still trying to pin down the block in your 39 Ford.
Can't match up some of part "s and pre-fix codes on Ford Canada
rebuild tag, probably difference in Canadian and US.
Still; center digit (engine size) prefix codes are "1"----should be
221ci parts.
Also bottom code is C11A.
Looks to me like rebuilt exchange Canadian 1941 81A replaced the
original 39 81A.
Should be external features on the block to confirm, but the best in
Canada should be that cast code on block deck--same for all your
blocks. C81A on 1938?
Enjoying your posts --trying to learn.
Gene Tulsa

[G32]

Originally Posted by Brian

Is your 1938 engine a 21 stud or 24 stud? Both true 38s should have flush front crank pulley -denotes short crankshaft. Compare to your
39 pulley hub --extends 1 1/4 " out from sheave 39 and up have longer cranks.

Now, I don't know about that...Whilst I have seen 24 stud engines as you describe, with the shorter crank snout, there are 24 stud engines with 81 cast on them with the larger cranks. Those early 24 stud 221's had no numbers [akin to the 21 studders]. I'd guess that 38's came from the factory with either; 60 HP, 21 stud 221, short snout 24 stud 221, or long snout 221.

Brian;

We've had previous threads -posts re long snout cranks 2.4 mains
for , I thought, special use --military, export, European, Pilot. You
know more than I do re these.

When did Ford Canada start pre-war block casting #s?
My assumption is 1939-42 81a block with # cast is Canadian.
Mainly trying to pin down engines in RalpG's 1939 and 1938 Fords.

Still learning--curious. Thanks.
Gene Tulsa

[RalphG]

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Originally Posted by G32

Brian;

We've had previous threads -posts re long snout cranks 2.4 mains
for , I thought, special use --military, export, European, Pilot. You
know more than I do re these.

When did Ford Canada start pre-war block casting #s?
My assumption is 1939-42 81a block with # cast is Canadian.
Mainly trying to pin down RalpG's 1939 and 1938 engines.

Still learning--curious. Thanks.
Gene Tulsa

Since it is rain/snowing here today I will not be harvesting so might get around to checking some numbers such as the block numbers on the 39 Deluxe and 38 parts car. The 38 has aluminum heads. It also has an i.d. tag riveted to the bell housing, left side with a Ford name at top and a lot of numbers stamped in it. Still trying to get it cleaned up enough to read.

[swoopNZ]

The 81A 24 stud smaller diameter and shorter crank motors were a 1 year model only for 1938.
Ford kept basically the same 81A block but changed to the bigger and longer crank for 1939.
I have several examples of each motor.

[RalphG]

Checking through my flathead inventory today and found several numbers. The 39 Deluxe (driver) has the number 49 stamped on the top front of the block between intake manifold and head. Does this indicate anything significant?

[28A]

I've got these Canadian heads for the 24 stud.. I'm not 100% sure if this engine had the long or short crank.. i've never measured to find the difference.



I also have these heads, which don't have "Made in Canada" on them but may be the Canadian heads.. unless they are Ford factory aftermarket / replacements..

These ones just say "Ford" on them.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by 28A

I've got these Canadian heads for the 24 stud.. I'm not 100% sure if this engine had the long or short crank.. i've never measured to find the difference.

I also have these heads, which don't have "Made in Canada" on them but may be the Canadian heads.. unless they are Ford factory aftermarket / replacements..

These ones just say "Ford" on them.

Seems there are quite a few different head numbers out there. Yours almost appear to be the aluminum heads like I have on the 38 parts engine. Also have a few spare ones. What was the advantage of aluminum over cast iron?

[Fairlane500]

Heres some of my alloy C7RA heads and C59A and C69A blocks for you to see Canadian Markings we had here in New Zealand

[G32]

Originally Posted by Fairlane500

Heres some of my alloy C7RA heads and C59A and C69A blocks for you to see Canadian Markings we had here in New Zealand

RalphG;
Top left picture is an example of casting codes to look for
on your blocks. Could on bell but if like US --post WW2.

Hey guys; anyone have a C81A block casting code to show?
When did Canada start casting codes on blocks?

Are CR7A heads post WW2? Came on 59-69 engines?

Great pictures Fairlane!
Gene Tulsa

[G32]

Originally Posted by RalphG

Seems there are quite a few different head numbers out there. Yours almost appear to be the aluminum heads like I have on the 38 parts engine. Also have a few spare ones. What was the advantage of aluminum over cast iron?

RalphG;
Head C99A is a 239ci Mercury head
Look for that cast code on the block--probably on right
front head deck for 99 block. Also 39-42 99 blocks have a round
center water port between triangle shaped upper and trapezoid
lower port. 81 blocks have trapezoid center port.
239 blocks are 3 3/16s bore. Rod journal caps/rods should be # 99
or 29.
1939 and up engines have flat rod bearings: 1938 and back
have flanged rod bearings.
Ford looking for better cooling with aluminum on flatheads -- go more corrosion.
Thanks
Gene Tulsa

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by G32

RalphG;
Head C99A is a 239ci Mercury head
Look for that cast code on the block--probably on right
front head deck for 99 block.
Gene Tulsa

I have cleaned up two of my flathead engines, the 38parts engine and the 39 Deluxe and there is no sign of a casting number. The 39 has that riveted on Ford rebuilt tag and that is all. Other than the "49" on the left top front between intake manifold and head. The only engine casting number I have seen so far is on the 46 truck engine which appears to be C89A. I did not have the proper tools with me to scratch off nearly 70 years of dirt and baked on oil but it is located on the clutch housing, top centre.

[Fairlane500]

Yes C7RA heads came out here 46-48 fords C59A and C69A engines. Cast iron or alloy had C7RA markings.

[G32]

9AQUOTE=RalphG;970549]I have cleaned up two of my flathead engines, the 38parts engine and the 39 Deluxe and there is no sign of a casting number. The 39 has that riveted on Ford rebuilt tag and that is all. Other than the "49" on the left top front between intake manifold and head. The only engine casting number I have seen so far is on the 46 truck engine which appears to be C89A. I did not have the proper tools with me to scratch off nearly 70 years of dirt and baked on oil but it is located on the clutch housing, top centre.[/QUOTE]

RalohG;
Don't think there a C89A. The 8ba block engine came out in 1948.
46 block must be C59A or C69A, both appropriate for your truck.
The rebuilt engine in the 39 has post war 1946-48 heads per
Fairlane's post.
See if you can spot a bellhousing cast code on the 39 like on
your 46 engine. It could be a post 1945 engine too, a 59 239ci
or C51A 221ci ---if the rebuild tag "1" engine code is correct.
Engine pictures of specific block features would help a lot.
Beautiful Oklahoma day here
Gene Tulsa

[Fairlane500]

Examples of C59A and C69A deck water outlets round and trapezoidal shapes.

[G32]

Originally Posted by Fairlane500

Examples of C59A and C69A deck water outlets round and trapezoidal shapes.

Thanks Fairlane;
The C59A post war block continued single round water hole as was
the unique id for US 39-42 99 block ( As compared to 39-42 221ci
81 block---had no round water port).
Trying to help RalphG id what he calls his "38 spare" block he
shows with C99A head. his 1938 Ford was 85 hp Canadian car.
Without block cast code need to id by features.

C69A block with 2 round ports is same as US 59 block
(and 8BA ).
Gene Tulsa, Oklahoma

[G32]

See prior related Threads by RalphG:

My 39 Deluxe
&
38 Parts Car


RalphG; Sorry; I should have asked before posting!

Gene Tulsa

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by G32

See prior related Threads by RalphG:

My 39 Deluxe
&
38 Parts Car


RalphG; Sorry; I should have asked before posting!

Gene Tulsa

No problem at all sharing Gene. That is how information is gained and spread. I think you are right in that I mis-read the casting number on the 46 truck block. It is most likely a C59 .
Still wondering if anybody else has ever seen a block stamped with "49" at the left front top between head and intake manifold like my 39 Deluxe has. Rebuilder's tag is dated 1952 so I am wondering if they rebuilt a 49 block and this is what my car has.