59AB verses 59

[jerry grayson]

I have a 59 engine in one of my pickups. It has 59 on the bellhousing and is 3 1/16 bore. It has heads that are marked 59A-B. Pencil test fails.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by jerry grayson

I have a 59 engine in one of my pickups. It has 59 on the bellhousing and is 3 1/16 bore. It has heads that are marked 59A-B. Pencil test fails.

I have had a few of those engine in my shop. They have real thick cyl. walls. The only thing I can figure is there a replacement engine for the 39-42 221 made in 46-48. Walt

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

I finally got up to my storage barn and looked at this engine I've had for 20 years. It has 59 on top of the bell and 59A on the heads. SO, I guess it don't mean anything until I get the heads off and check the bore. I hope it don't take me an other 20 years. Walt

[Bruce Lancaster]

I don't have dates of change, but 59A heads were around 1946 usage, '47-8 got the slightly higher comp 59AB heads.

[itsa52]

Being a late comer and have an 8cm I have lot of questions but no opinions or information. but what is the pencil test and what does it prove?

Thanks,
Ken

[Bruce Lancaster]

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The front area of the block above the timing cover on a prewar block comes down like a "J", leaving a space where you can rest a pencil right above the cover. A normal 59A comes down like "/", and a pencil rolls right off.
There have been sightings of 59's presumably made with a mix of foundry patterns showing the early front...
But whatever you have, you'll be happier keeping your pencil in the glove box.

[itsa52]

Thanks,, I learned something today.. All up hill from here.

[OLD...BILL]

Hey Walt; The tread is all most as bad as "what oil do you use ??" but it is interesting..
I have 59 Y cast on the bellhousing the Y is upside down, like the hippie piece sign ??
I have been told and read the block is hard, and hard to bore, one engine builder said he had to replace his cutter, ever other cylinder, and will never do another one. More nickel in the cast iron?... or the deck is thicker and the walls are thicker ?? It will pass the pencil test...
Heads have one 59A-B and another "A" only ?? came on an engine, said to be truck or bus, with a two piece pan ? The intake manifold has TWO vacuum ports, the one original to dist. off to the left at angle, and one large 1/2 inch pipe at center just under carb base, both factory with boss..... OLD....BILL

[Bruce Lancaster]

The big outlet is for Truck vac brake hookup, the two heads are early and late in the '46-8 series and the B is higher compression.

[rotorwrench]

It took a bit for the war department to allow FoMoCo and other manufacturers to start domestic production back up in 1945. It wasn't long after VE-day that they started cancelling wartime contracts and once they started that they couldn't very well keep the companies from restarting. Trucks & commercials were first since they needed less fancy chrome and other stuff that wasn't yet available due to wartime shortages.

Ford produced a fair amount of stuff in 1945 before the 46 models were introduced well after VJ-day.

[G32]

Thanks Walt D Hope you enjoyed going to the barn and wresling that 59 a bit.

I'd still like to see a 59 "A" cast marked block , or pics USA not Canada.
Was there a 59 no letter head? pics if anyone has one.
Anyone have a 41A post war head 6050 both sides no 6049? (AS are 59 heads).

Enjoyed your posts much Bruce Lancaster. Thanks and thanks to all posters!
Still interested in post war blocks cast using early molds & having some external
pre war appearance features. Can't say why , just do.
Gene Tulsa
3 29/3 31 Swap meet Duncan, OK home of Haliburton oil services co

[Mtn Wudy]

I just picked this engine up yesterday from a friend.It has A B on the heads,and an "L" on the bellhousing.He had 15 of these engines. They ran big propellers as wind as generators in the citrus groves of Redlands .California.This is the last one he had stored.He estimated it hasn't run since to late sixties,and all the others were put right into cars and run without any problems...Took off the manifold and it was nice and clean.It turns over nice..He even gave me the nice roll around stand with it....Im thinking this will be next winters project...

[Robert Dip]

May as well throw in more block info. The C59A block is a stock 3 3/16" bore, but passes the pencil test...I read that these were not so from '46 - '48. Earlier Canadian Mercury ?? Off topic a bit....the green engine is a '37 or early '38 21 stud...has the raised deck for the intake....which this raised deck is always stated for '41 - '42. More interesting to me are the numbers punched on the top of the block...anyone know about such #'s? Robert

[G32]

Robert Dip:
Good picture of Canada 59 casting letters/#s; shows clearly-- more pictures on Hot Rod site ---do a search for C59A block. Floating or pinned rod bearings?
The 221 with blockoff plates water pump mount site front of block should indicate 1937 in USA--but looks I guess to be Canada also. I note "raised" intake not USA
& flat # flat area rear on driver side & middle passenger side say not USA to me.
Over my knowledge area--I pass to others , i'll listen. Canada SNs are on line.
Good post--Good post. More good pics like you gave will be great.
Pics of bell housing, pan rail sides, front & rear pan rail re locating holes for machining.
Is there "LB" stamp on intake surface? Babbit or insert mains LB other markings & features
Thanks Robert! Gene Tulsa

[G32]

Robert Dip

Correction - Pump block plates say 1936 or earlier not 37 , if USA. Canada --?
Gene Tulsa

[G32]

Robert Dip
To you and all readers.
No No No . Delete my correction Please!
USA 1937/1938 21 stud blocks have water pumps in block--as yours has.
Brain zit I guess.
Gene Tulsa

[Flathead]

Old Bill.. I have one of those upside down Y blocks. Many years ago someone put a 4" Merc crank in it and bored it to 3 and 3/8ths. I got it as a basket case. Did some more work to it and put it in a dragster, it has taken a lot of hard running and needs a bore job now. Haven't tried a pencil test on it, I'll have to give it a look.

[Barlea]

Postwar, Ford Canada was rebuilding 21 stud '37 engines to replace pre '36 engines with babbit mains, and used the block-off plates and '36 aluminum heads. The one in my '35 2-Ton has the stainless "Ford Windsor Factory Rebuilt" tag spot welded to the block in front of the right head dated in '47, and shows the bearing type and undersizes. This one has an iron intake but almost all Canadian flatheads had aluminum intakes and used all 20 bolts until the end of production. I am the third owner, the truck sat unused in a farmyard from '52 for about twenty years, but has been running well since. Never apart since '47. ..B.

[G32]

Robert Dip,
Looks like a 1937/1938 (insert main) Canadian engine installed in USA vehicle .
SN is USA format owner miss stamped by hand. My opinion.
USA : 1938 SNs : 18-4,186,447 to 18-4,661000- no 7 million # used on 18 series (v8)
If was 18-4,261,323 fits nicely as 1938 v8 USA vehicle. If prefix is 78 could = 1937.
Canada SNs: 1937 85 v8 11/36 start = A-1 & up.
1938 85 V8 SNs 11/37 start = H-1 & up. Both much smaller #. Thanks for posts. Come on Canadians, NZs, Australian, others. Gene Tulsa

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

That 37-38 block 21 stud is a new one on me with raised intake. Walt