What can you tell me about this block?
 

A couple months back I picked this shortblock up for a song; I'm just curious if it's anything special. The bellhousing has "C 84 11 X5" cast on it. It's got a raised intake surface, 3 3/16" bores and what I'm assuming are factory-cut reliefs.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/..._46_09_Pro.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/..._45_14_Pro.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/..._45_24_Pro.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/..._45_39_Pro.jpg

Overall the block appears to be in terrific shape, though of course it has to be hot tanked and magnafluxed to be certain. The pistons were a BEAR to remove. Every one had to be drilled and chiseled out, but other than that the studs, cam, lifters and other ancillaries came apart with ease.


Thanks!

- Craig

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

It has all the features of a 19A or 29A block, '41-'42 Mercury, factory relieved.
Also used in trucks & buses.

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

I think the existence of the boss for third oil hole at back(I think I can see that) (like 59A and 8BA) makes it a wartime version of that series. This was done for compatibility with the Canadian 29A's, as US engines were oft fed into that supply chain. The boss is for drilling the full flow connection, used for coolers or filters on many empire military vehicles.

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

The C prefix would designate it as a Canadian Block

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

Unless we are provided with a better photo of the oil pressure sending port, it looks like my
'42 US produced Mercury block.

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

Sounds like I've got a pretty standard flathead block but here's a couple shots of the oil-pressure port area.

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/..._32_36_Pro.jpg

http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/..._32_27_Pro.jpg

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

The round boss about an inch to the right of the vertical port is the one that I believe went on during WWII for commonality with Canadian production...you can see one drilled with a fitting there in pics in the '37-48 overhaul book from Ford. Some '42 type blocks lack this, so I assume they are civilian 1942's or early wartime...but I do not really know for sure. That marker remains on postwar flatheads.
This would seem USA...Canadian blocks got there designations like C29 clearly marked up front. The C shown is on some sort of foundry or date code, not a Canadian part or model designation.
My take is that it is a USA WWII block.

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

The C is normally designating Canadian but in this case I don't think so as the third boss is not drilled.

Re: What can you tell me about this block?
 

C designates Canadian when at the beginning of a part or casting number. There, the numbers don't make up anything like a part number or model prefix...some sort of foundry mark, C might be code mark for 3rd month or a particular line in the foundry or who knows what.