I thought my 48 flathead was a virgin block...

[John Kennedy]

After disassembling it, and seeing "Ford" stamped on pistons and valves, and everything safety-wired, I thought maybe I was the first one in there. I guess not.
After a basic steam clean, and a quick deck scrubbing, I find stamped random letters in the surfaces, and a couple spots where small chunks are missing. Still no evidence of cracking, but one chunk is on the cylinder wall edge.
After using the SEARCH feature, I learned about decking these blocks, or rather NOT decking these blocks.
I also found that one bank has what appear to be sleeved cylinders, and the tops seem to be a bit higher than the surrounding deck surface.

I'll try to take some good, clear closeup pics this afternoon.

[Mike in AZ]

might have come from the factory like that...who knows??....Mike

[rotorwrench]

FoMoCo would salvage any part that was usable. They would send engines that didn't pass inspection for use in a new car back to a repair facility that would likely repair any flaws then build them up as replacement engines. What couldn't be salvaged went right back into the furnace crucible for making new parts.

Some of the earlier engines were manufactured with the tin can sleaves straight away. I think this was originally an attempt at making replacement parts kits as nearly the same as possible instead of having numerous different oversize replacement parts.

Kerby

[John Kennedy]

Anyway, here's some pics. I'm concerned most about the chunking at the cylinder edge

[John Kennedy]

The first two pics above show what appear to be sleeves. Second pic here, they appear unsleeved.

[John Kennedy]

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I wonder if I need to relieve stress on the chunks with a small dremel?

These pics show a 51 in a circle, and the raised numbers on the bellhousing.

[Gumpy]

A sleeved block for use is a matter of personal preference...if it is not original to the car I would build a 49-53 engine for the car...better performance and cooling!

[Ronnie]

Dress that little nick up and carry on probably got bumped against something in the hot tank and yes there appears to be a couple of sleeves in those holes no big deal thousands are running like that.

Ronnie

[barnfind08]

You have what appears to be a sought after 99A block.

[Samson]

I'm not completely new to flatheads, but what is a 99A block?

[TomO]

A 99A block is a 39-40 Mercury block. It would not have the 59 cast on the bell housing.

[Tinker]

But there is a 59 cast in the bellhousing as I can tell from the pictures?

[John Kennedy]

Its definetly a raised 59 on the bellhousing. Any idea about the 51 in the circle?
How would I dress the nick up?

[richard crow]

it ran for years with those chunks leave them alone sleves are no proulbem

[John Kennedy]

Richard, I'm thinking you're right. I knew sleeves were fine. Probably actually better than stock if installed well (I'm sure they are)

[chuck stevens]

John, I have a 48' 59A that, like you , I thought was a virgin. Ford valves, non adjustable lifters, and even ford gaskets. Four cylinders on one side are sleeved and the other side is not. Both are standard size. I don't like sleeves but have thought about pulling them to see what is underneath. You could always re-sleeve.
I think ford did some real sneaky things just to get the cars out after the war.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by chuck stevens

John, I have a 48' 59A that, like you , I thought was a virgin. Ford valves, non adjustable lifters, and even ford gaskets. Four cylinders on one side are sleeved and the other side is not. Both are standard size. I don't like sleeves but have thought about pulling them to see what is underneath. You could always re-sleeve.
I think ford did some real sneaky things just to get the cars out after the war.

Your sleeves will be just fine leave then alone and enjoy the old iron.