The Ford Barn

37fatfender · 10-28-2010, 06:45 PM

I just pulled the motor out of my coupe and the block is cast with the 59 L on the bellhousing. I think these had bigger cam bearings.....but is there anything significant about the 59 L ?

Walt Dupont--Me. · 10-28-2010, 06:54 PM

Your going to get alot of differant answers on this one. Do you mean bigger cam as in diameter, or bigger in performance? Anyways neather is true. Some say they have thicker cyl walls, some say metal is harder, some say they are factory relived. I guess they might have a little of everthing. Walt

mfagan · 10-28-2010, 10:20 PM

We have a couple of 59 L Blocks and both are factory relieved. I have been told by one of my long time flathead buddies that the "L" blocks are from a truck.

JimOH · 10-28-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfagan

We have a couple of 59 L Blocks and both are factory relieved. I have been told by one of my long time flathead buddies that the "L" blocks are from a truck.

This is my belief also since I experienced the same. Truck engine.

Krylon32 · 10-29-2010, 06:43 AM

I have been able to score a couple of new 59L blocks over the years and have built them both and they worked great. On 1 I used a Roadrunner blower and it was a screamer. The theory on the blocks in this area is they came from the nearby 40s Army airbase as they were caked with cosmoline and in crates with military markings.

flatheadfan · 10-29-2010, 07:22 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I also have a 59 L block which I pulled out of an original '46 tudor. I don't know about the cam journal size or metallurgy, but I can attest that it a factory relived block. The story I have heard from several different sources is that Ford made these engines for military use during WW II. After the War ended Ford put their left over engines in general '46 production until their supply was used up.

Tom

Bruce Lancaster · 10-29-2010, 09:40 AM

I think oversize cam bearings were random, not related to a single use or block variant. They were I believe just what was done when an otherwise good block failed a gauging test at build time.
Many shop manuals from all the companies call out stamping codes that mark blocks with funny bearing or stem sizes from factory kludging.

rotorwrench · 10-29-2010, 10:22 AM

Some folks have found 59L blocks that were not relieved. Proportionally though, a lot of the 59 "L" suffix blocks were relieved according to all eye witness accounts. I figure Ford tried to gather blocks with a particular suffix for runs of blocks to be machined for relieving as a way to help track them. Just a guess though.

Whether that suffix was used for all blocks relieved during the period is still up for scrutiny.

kerby

JM 35 Sedan · 10-30-2010, 10:30 AM

I have a 59L block that is factory relieved. I don't know about any of the other myths regarding the 59L's. Here is some interesting reading from Rumbleseat regarding flathead blocks and many other things related to flatheads.

http://www.flatheadv8.org/rumblest/intro.htm

I've read many of JWL posts and he always says there is nothing special about the CI material or the thickness of the cylinder walls on these 59L's.

true blue 32 man · 10-31-2010, 04:41 AM

back in the day I found a 59L block in a scool bus. It was factory relieved and I was told that they had thicker cylinder walls and were used in hd trucks and busses that subjected to sever usage,thus ran hotter and the thicker wall were supposed to help with overheating problems. this may have been a wifes tale but mine never overheated, and I used to beat the hell out of that car.

Ralph Moore · 10-31-2010, 11:14 AM

Wow! The link provided by JM 35 Sedan from Rumbleseat is a wealth of Flathead information I have been looking for! I wish I had this two years ago when I started the work on my 59A-B. Since then I've picked up an 8BA, two early 24 studs(no # on bell housing), and two 8CM Mercs. I have only torn down one of the Mercs so Far.
I recently found a 1946 2-1/2 ton truck for sale for $600. It had the 59 series motor, but I didn't know exactly what to look for to tell if it was still the original "truck" motor. This is a big help and I will certainly go back for another look.

JM 35 Sedan · 11-01-2010, 08:38 PM

Ralph, Just in case you didn't find the main link for the Techno Site......here it is as well. http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm There is a lot of information there. I would suggest you bookmark these sites and maybe even copy some of these items into your own files just in case someone decides to take those sites down some day.

Tim Ayers · 11-01-2010, 10:32 PM

Folks: Much like anything Ford, don't believe anything until you have the part in your hand.

I have one of those all so rare 59L blocks. Yep, mine is so rare because it was a post-WWII replacement for pre-war motors. Meaning it has a 59L casting with 3 1/16th bores.

When I bought it I thought I scored a nice engine even though I thought the piston looked kind of small. Best I can hope for is to punch it out to 3 3/16ths (stock real 59L bore) before I have to sleave my lug of pig iron.

I should have realized why the pistons/bores looked so small. It was because they were. These 59L blocks/engines aren't as common as say 59AB, but they are out there.

Moral of the story, don't believe anything unless you are standing in front of it.

Ford Motor Co. did some crazy stuff in order to use up their supply and part/casting numbers can be meaningless unless you know EXACTLY what you are looking at.

Ralph Moore · 11-02-2010, 07:32 AM

John,

Thanks, I have already printed all of the info from Rumbleseat( I don't trust computers) and I will get started on the technosite as soon as I can. Lots of great stuff in there.

Thanks,

Ralph

Ken/Alabama · 11-02-2010, 09:14 PM

I have a 59L that is not relieved, but most of the ones Ive seen were factory relieved.

jrholston · 04-20-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37fatfender

I just pulled the motor out of my coupe and the block is cast with the 59 L on the bellhousing. I think these had bigger cam bearings.....but is there anything significant about the 59 L ?

I just signed on for the first time so am new at this. I saw your reference to the 59L block of some time ago. I blew up a 59L block back in the day and have been thinking about building another one. I would like to start with another 59L block. Do you know where I can find one??

37fatfender · 04-20-2011, 05:15 PM

Sorry, I don't, I just sold it.

Ol' Ron · 04-20-2011, 07:41 PM

I haven't found any differences between the L,Z. X or any other block. although Most of the L blocks I've seen were factory relieved, but so were some of the "A" blocks.

WHITEY · 04-20-2011, 08:45 PM

I have one that was not factory relieved...

Its an old race engine...it has the more common, hand done(gasket pattern looking) relieves.

john stimac · 04-20-2011, 09:59 PM

My first flathead in 1959 was a 59L, and my latest is a 59L. Both were relieved, and I was told in 1959 by the most knowledgeable flathead guy that the L blocks were used in US Army tanks, and Canadian school buses. He also told me that the L block was harder, it had more nickel in the cast iron like the Lincoln Zepher blocks

10-28-2010, 06:45 PM	#1
37fatfender Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mesquite, NV / Gurnee, IL Posts: 298	59 L Block ?? I just pulled the motor out of my coupe and the block is cast with the 59 L on the bellhousing. I think these had bigger cam bearings.....but is there anything significant about the 59 L ?

10-28-2010, 06:54 PM	#2
Walt Dupont--Me. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gardiner Me. Posts: 4,200	Re: 59 L Block ?? Your going to get alot of differant answers on this one. Do you mean bigger cam as in diameter, or bigger in performance? Anyways neather is true. Some say they have thicker cyl walls, some say metal is harder, some say they are factory relived. I guess they might have a little of everthing. Walt

10-28-2010, 10:20 PM	#3
mfagan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaufman, TX Posts: 822	Re: 59 L Block ?? We have a couple of 59 L Blocks and both are factory relieved. I have been told by one of my long time flathead buddies that the "L" blocks are from a truck.

10-29-2010, 06:43 AM	#5
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: 59 L Block ?? I have been able to score a couple of new 59L blocks over the years and have built them both and they worked great. On 1 I used a Roadrunner blower and it was a screamer. The theory on the blocks in this area is they came from the nearby 40s Army airbase as they were caked with cosmoline and in crates with military markings.

10-29-2010, 07:22 AM	#6
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: 59 L Block ?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I also have a 59 L block which I pulled out of an original '46 tudor. I don't know about the cam journal size or metallurgy, but I can attest that it a factory relived block. The story I have heard from several different sources is that Ford made these engines for military use during WW II. After the War ended Ford put their left over engines in general '46 production until their supply was used up. Tom

10-29-2010, 09:40 AM	#7
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: 59 L Block ?? I think oversize cam bearings were random, not related to a single use or block variant. They were I believe just what was done when an otherwise good block failed a gauging test at build time. Many shop manuals from all the companies call out stamping codes that mark blocks with funny bearing or stem sizes from factory kludging.

10-29-2010, 10:22 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: 59 L Block ?? Some folks have found 59L blocks that were not relieved. Proportionally though, a lot of the 59 "L" suffix blocks were relieved according to all eye witness accounts. I figure Ford tried to gather blocks with a particular suffix for runs of blocks to be machined for relieving as a way to help track them. Just a guess though. Whether that suffix was used for all blocks relieved during the period is still up for scrutiny. kerby

10-30-2010, 10:30 AM	#9
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: 59 L Block ?? I have a 59L block that is factory relieved. I don't know about any of the other myths regarding the 59L's. Here is some interesting reading from Rumbleseat regarding flathead blocks and many other things related to flatheads. http://www.flatheadv8.org/rumblest/intro.htm I've read many of JWL posts and he always says there is nothing special about the CI material or the thickness of the cylinder walls on these 59L's. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

10-31-2010, 04:41 AM	#10
true blue 32 man Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Allis Wisconsin Posts: 132	Re: 59 L Block ?? back in the day I found a 59L block in a scool bus. It was factory relieved and I was told that they had thicker cylinder walls and were used in hd trucks and busses that subjected to sever usage,thus ran hotter and the thicker wall were supposed to help with overheating problems. this may have been a wifes tale but mine never overheated, and I used to beat the hell out of that car.

10-31-2010, 11:14 AM	#11
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: 59 L Block ?? Wow! The link provided by JM 35 Sedan from Rumbleseat is a wealth of Flathead information I have been looking for! I wish I had this two years ago when I started the work on my 59A-B. Since then I've picked up an 8BA, two early 24 studs(no # on bell housing), and two 8CM Mercs. I have only torn down one of the Mercs so Far. I recently found a 1946 2-1/2 ton truck for sale for $600. It had the 59 series motor, but I didn't know exactly what to look for to tell if it was still the original "truck" motor. This is a big help and I will certainly go back for another look.

11-01-2010, 08:38 PM	#12
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: 59 L Block ?? Ralph, Just in case you didn't find the main link for the Techno Site......here it is as well. http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm There is a lot of information there. I would suggest you bookmark these sites and maybe even copy some of these items into your own files just in case someone decides to take those sites down some day. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

11-01-2010, 10:32 PM	#13
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,181	Re: 59 L Block ?? Folks: Much like anything Ford, don't believe anything until you have the part in your hand. I have one of those all so rare 59L blocks. Yep, mine is so rare because it was a post-WWII replacement for pre-war motors. Meaning it has a 59L casting with 3 1/16th bores. When I bought it I thought I scored a nice engine even though I thought the piston looked kind of small. Best I can hope for is to punch it out to 3 3/16ths (stock real 59L bore) before I have to sleave my lug of pig iron. I should have realized why the pistons/bores looked so small. It was because they were. These 59L blocks/engines aren't as common as say 59AB, but they are out there. Moral of the story, don't believe anything unless you are standing in front of it. Ford Motor Co. did some crazy stuff in order to use up their supply and part/casting numbers can be meaningless unless you know EXACTLY what you are looking at. Last edited by Tim Ayers; 11-02-2010 at 07:37 AM.

11-02-2010, 07:32 AM	#14
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: 59 L Block ?? John, Thanks, I have already printed all of the info from Rumbleseat( I don't trust computers) and I will get started on the technosite as soon as I can. Lots of great stuff in there. Thanks, Ralph

11-02-2010, 09:14 PM	#15
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,261	Re: 59 L Block ?? I have a 59L that is not relieved, but most of the ones Ive seen were factory relieved.

04-20-2011, 05:15 PM	#17
37fatfender Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mesquite, NV / Gurnee, IL Posts: 298	Re: 59 L Block ?? Sorry, I don't, I just sold it.

04-20-2011, 07:41 PM	#18
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: 59 L Block ?? I haven't found any differences between the L,Z. X or any other block. although Most of the L blocks I've seen were factory relieved, but so were some of the "A" blocks.

04-20-2011, 08:45 PM	#19
WHITEY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montana Posts: 108	Re: 59 L Block ?? I have one that was not factory relieved... Its an old race engine...it has the more common, hand done(gasket pattern looking) relieves.

04-20-2011, 09:59 PM	#20
john stimac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lake Havasu City Posts: 100	Re: 59 L Block ?? My first flathead in 1959 was a 59L, and my latest is a 59L. Both were relieved, and I was told in 1959 by the most knowledgeable flathead guy that the L blocks were used in US Army tanks, and Canadian school buses. He also told me that the L block was harder, it had more nickel in the cast iron like the Lincoln Zepher blocks