need some help identifying flathead engines

[Robs Rides]

I have two flatheads that I am trying to narrow down to what they are and which one I should look at rebuilding.
The first is a 24 stud with 59 cast into the bell housing it also has 17711 cast into the top of the bell housing closer to the engine than the 59
it has a round distributor
59 A-B heads with center water ports
on the passenger side of the intake shelf it has a 69 in a circle
it has a tag on the drivers side of the bell housing it has a tag that may be a builders tag mostly wore off but what I can read is Mod 22093 and below that Buffalo D with the ford logo at the top.
I think I have this narrowed down to being a 46-48 year 239cu engine from what I have read on these forums and other sites on the web.

the second is a newer engine and is a 24 bolt with 21 cast into the rear at the top where the bell housing bolts on (this does not have the integrated bell housing) it also has 310Q:1 cast into the passenger side of the bell housing area
It has a more modern distributor at an angle toward the passenger side
it has 8BA heads with front water ports
on the passenger side of the intake shelf it has a 32 in a square
I think I have this narrowed down to a 50-52 8BA 239cu engine

These are both complete engines from the air cleaner down and covered in years of grease and dust I am planning on putting one in a Model A wrecker that I am building. If anyone can narrow down the year and model of these or at least confirm what I have found out I would appreciate it. I have more experience with the Model A and Model T engines and this would be my first V8 flathead.

[GB SISSON]

I'm gonna go with the angled distributor 8ba type for your wrecker. Of course neither is period correct, but I am more and more artheritic and visually challenged every year and I DO love model As. I'm thinking a wrecker will be an AA 1 1/2 ton truck, which is the only type of model A I have ever owned (4), so that's my choice for a V8 and now let's see a picture of this project

[tubman]

Everything "GB" says is true. However, another consideration is that the overall "working length" of the earlier engines is a bit less than the 8BA's and they are easier to fit into a Model "A".

[GB SISSON]

With all the frankentruck contraptions I have created I will concede that 'working length'is the most important consideration in a swap. If as stated the earlier engine is shorter, just go with a professionally rebuilt crab distributor from one of the guys here on the barn. That way you won't have to come out of the supermarket at night and mess with the points under the fan belts. As far as the 'crab type', any front mount distributor can today be built that will be reliable for our hobby usage for another 20 years..... At that point it will be someone else's problem.

[Mart]

One is a 59A and one is an 8BA. All the numbers and stamps are probably rebuilders marks and are not that reliable as identifiers.

I've only ever had the earlier type, so can't offer any advice on which is better, but the 59a is a shorter package as stated, but the 8BA has some advantages, for example the valves are easier to work on and the rod bearings are cheaper to buy.

Using some 8BA parts in the 59A (valves, crank, rods) is an option depending on the condition of the parts when you strip them down.

Mart.

[Robs Rides]

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Thank you for the information. I don't have any pictures of this project as I have not truly started it yet. Still gathering parts. The finished project will be like this other A that I built a few years back with the major differences being the V8 flat head and the wrecker boom and I am also building the frame myself



At this point I have most of the parts to start the project so I am starting with the engine to make sure that I have a good one. I do have a Worm gear rear end an over under trans with PTO and the hand crank boom.

[rotorwrench]

The 59 series should be a 239 produced by the Rouge between 1945 and likely early 1949. Some of these were cast as 221 engines with a 41A prefix but most were 239. Unless there is a date code stamped into the intake deck, that is about as close as they get.

The other is of the 8BA family produced at the Rouge from 1948 thru 1953. Windsor produced engines have Canadian markings that set them apart. Most 8BA engines have a date code on the intake deck right rear area.

Heads can be replaced so they aren't very reliable for dating or ID. If your truck is an A type then the 59 series is a better fit and especially if it's a 28 or 29. If it's an AA truck then it still may be difficult to fit the 8BA between the radiator and firewall. The 8BA engines are adaptable but take a few more mods to make them work like the earlier 59 series. The shorter water pumps and rear sump pan give the 59 the edge. When combined with a generator mount cooling fan, they will fit in a tighter spot. With the 8BA, a person needs Mercury or truck oil pans with the half bell clutch housing & clutch. To use the short water pumps a person has to change the cam and the crank pulley for the 59 type components. The crab type distributor can also be used.

Using an A pickup will require some rear spring work to get it to be able to do what you want to do. AA trucks were used as wreckers back in the day since they have a heavier frame amd springs to do the job.