1935-36
In 1935 Ford updated the V8s with a feature that helped both engine life and passenger comfort, crankcase ventilation. At the back of the valley a raised area was added that connected with the oil fill. At the front of the block a passage was added at the front of the block so the valve chamber could vent to the road down through an opening in the oil pan. Air entering the breather at the back of the intake manifold first went down to the crankcase before traveling up through the valley, down the passage at the front of the block, and out to atmosphere through a slit in the back of a protrusion on the front of the oil pan. The top of the passage at the front of the block interfered with the front man bolt hole, so the main caps were switched to being retained with studs. The main bearings were still poured Babbitt. This was the only V8 engine in production at the start of the 1935 model year, and was continued through the end of 1936 production.
Features of the 35-36 block that can be used for identification are:
- 21 studs retaining the cylinder heads
- Water pumps in the cylinder heads
- The water drains are angled
- Passes the pencil test
- Core plugs in the oil pan rails
- Crankcase ventilation
- Babbitt main bearings 1.999” diameter retained by studs (stud spacing approximately 3”)
This picture shows the crankcase area of a 35-36 block. Note the triangle shaped passage to the left of the front main bearing, that is the crankcase ventilation passage that goes up to the valley.
This picture shows the front of a 35-36 block. Note the tube sticking up at the front inside the valley area, that is installed at the top of the crankcase ventilation passage in the block.
This picture shows the fuel pump push rod area, now featuring a raised area.
This picture of the right side of a 35-36 block shows that there has not yet been any change to the cylinder head mating surface since V8s were introduced.
This is as good a time as any in this effort to show both how little Ford cared about retaining production line “correctness” and how easy it is to mix-and-match parts between years. This picture is from Ford from the mid 1930, for engine identification to be used in the engine exchange program. Keen eyed viewers will notice that:
- The long blocks for both the 1933-1934 V8 Trucks and the 1933-34 Passenger & Commercial Cars are actually 1932 production blocks with the flat front face.
- The long block for 1932 V8 Passenger Cars is actually a 1933-34 block with the recesses between the timing gear area and the water inlets.
