Ford flat head question

[FRANK PKNY]

It has always been my belief that in 1940 Ford only offered one engine in a pick up truck I think a standard 239 cu inch. Can anyone enlighten me if this is correct or not? Thanks Also what would be marked on the heads? I don't think in 40 they had the 59A on them?

[Russ/40]

I think the 4 cylinder was available, not sure.

[alanwoodieman]

1940 had a 60 hp V8, 85 hp V8 (221 ci), 95 hp V8 (239 ci)

1941 came out with the 4 cylinder tractor engine, and in addition to the v8's there was a 6 cylinder available late in the year for 1941

[rotorwrench]

The 95 HP 239 cid engine would have been an option but is not common in the 1940 Ford cars or 1/2 ton commercial pickups. It was used in all Mercury cars and a fair portion of large trucks when the potential owner wanted more horse power.

[Seth Swoboda]

Frank, most common engine was the 85hp, 221 cubic in engine with 24 head studs. I don't believe the heads were marked with anything, sometimes an "A". I'm still learning all the idiosyncrasies of the 1940 Ford. I have a '40 V8 Tudor project that I'm trying to put back to Dearborn status. Just for the fun of it.

Kube may chime in here and give us the scoop as well.

[FRANK PKNY]

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Thanks guys, was the 221 also 24 stud?

[V12Bill]

In 1940 the tailgate had V8 embossed on i as only the V8 85 and V8 60 were available.. In 1941 the tail gate just read Ford. That was because in 1941 the 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder were both options.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by FRANK PKNY

Thanks guys, was the 221 also 24 stud?

Yes, In 1940 and 1941. Before 1940, No. As I understand. Frank if you visit the website www.vanpeltsales.com there is a break down of all the flathead engines 1932-1953 and their changes throughout those years. It's very informative.

[V8COOPMAN]

The change from 21 studs to 24 studs per side on the 221 or 239 cu. in. cylinder heads occurred sometime mid-year in 1938. Just for yuks, the V8-60 engines (1937-1940) had 17 studs per side. DD

[flatjack9]

I believe all 21 stud engines were 221 cu in.

[flatheadmurre]

What years could you order a 59 221 replacement block ?
Prewars have some marks to tell them apart...the 59 221 just shows up like a surprise from time to time...

[rotorwrench]

The 41A block (1944/221) came on line just before the 59 did in early to mid 1945. They may or may not have the 59 on the back bell. The 221 blocks cast after the war still had characteristics of the prewar engine with some of the 59 characteristics mixed in. As far as I know, they were available for quite a while before production of them stopped. Ford usually carried production of replacements for 10-years after the obsolete date but some parts like this were cast by outside sources. I don't know about the engine blocks though. It mostly would have been transmission cases & stuff like that.

[buzz4041]

Here is the heads off my 40 pickup which I believe are to be original.

[ford nut]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

The change from 21 studs to 24 studs per side on the 221 or 239 cu. in. cylinder heads occurred sometime mid-year in 1938. Just for yuks, the V8-60 engines (1937-1940) had 17 studs per side. DD

I think I have one of these 24 stud, 221. can it be bored to a 239?

[RuralTowner]

Getting familiar with the flatties myself. Have a home-built vehicle my dad made that has the 239 from a 53 Merc. THESE engines I know saw their share of hot rodding. But I've come across others making mention of boring larger, but without hunting down the page again...don't think so at least for the 221. There is enough meat to safely go up a few oversize rings. Not sure how close to 239 this would bring you.

Too much over and the cylinders might be compromised. Not alot of wiggle room in the top portion of the block where the intake and exhaust jackets cross paths.

[flatjack9]

If your engine is truly a 53 Merc, it would be 255 cu. in.

[RuralTowner]

That's the information he remembered anyway. Sorry about that.
Forgot that my own digging for a few parts never turned up the 239 under Mercury...but it did under Ford.

[flatheadmurre]

Originally Posted by ford nut

I think I have one of these 24 stud, 221. can it be bored to a 239?

They usually can take 239 and some more...but measuring the cylinderwall thickness before boring a lot is always a good thing to do.

[37 truck]

i went 20 thousands over a 239 on my 24 stud 221 1940 block.

[1937sedandelivery]

I don't know how much "over" is safe and what the upper limit is on a 221 block.
The base 221 engine has a bore of 3.062" and stroke of 3.75".
To get to 239 you have to bore it .1228" over size, that is quite a bit.
To get to 229, you have to bore it 60 thousandths over (.060"), that seems reasonable.
gregg