The Ford Barn

Ironrod · 03-18-2015, 03:27 PM

Friend was looking for an engine to install in a race car for Owensboro KY speed museum. Seller indicated the engine came from a 1939 mercury. Engine was only to be cleaned and painted for looks and not started. After futher investigation we decided we might see if it will run. Have not found a date code yet.
Pistons are standard
Floating bearings(all appear in good shape)
Relieved block
81T heads

Newc · 03-18-2015, 03:40 PM

Hi all; Looks to have a trapazoid mid-block hole and a round center mid-block hole-39-41 Merc/truck 95 hp block- the good one! Newc

Bruce Lancaster · 03-18-2015, 03:45 PM

I think this is a '41 -42 or even more likely the wartime variant of '42, because it has the boss on bell for drilling third oil hole and is factory relieved. All good stuff!

JSeery · 03-18-2015, 03:47 PM

You will not find a date code as there are none. Must be identified as Newc stated by features of the block. It also has the raised intake area 41-42.

B-O-B · 03-18-2015, 05:04 PM

you are braver than me by hanging that block from the front water jacket bolt holes. That is some pretty thin material in that area.

JSeery · 03-18-2015, 05:22 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

One suggestion, that is a very nice looking block (needs to be tested to confirm) to set in a museum. Might want to switch it out for a cracked one and save a good block.

Ironrod · 03-18-2015, 06:35 PM

Thanks for the replies. B-0-B THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP, will tell the owner. At the time we did not think the engine would be worth saving because it was on a dirt floor garage and only paid salvage price. The engine in the race car is full race flathead, after detuning will be in a 1934 coupe for the street. He may want to rethink this idea after hearing about the engine.
Bob

ronford · 03-20-2015, 07:40 PM

81T heads would be correct for a 1939 Mercury.

Jet96 · 03-22-2015, 12:53 PM

Raised intake deck pretty much narrows it down...

sidevalve8ba · 03-22-2015, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

One suggestion, that is a very nice looking block (needs to be tested to confirm) to set in a museum. Might want to switch it out for a cracked one and save a good block.

I couldn't have said it better. Looks too nice just to be a lump in a museum.

Bored&Stroked · 03-22-2015, 04:40 PM

It appears to be a 41/42 Merc or wartime engine - am building one as I write this. If the owner is thinking about just sticking it in a museum and not running it, have him contact me and I'll get him a block for that purpose and buy this engine from him. I'd hate to see it just sit - might as well put it to good flathead use!

Let me know . . .

B&S

Ironrod · 03-22-2015, 05:04 PM

After all of the comments about the engine, he is now retinking his options. We are cleanig all parts and will attempt to run the engine, then make a decision on installing in a 1934 coupe.

Bob

Bored&Stroked · 03-23-2015, 07:17 AM

Always great to hear about somebody getting another one running! Good luck!

Ironrod · 04-11-2015, 07:09 PM

Update for Bored&Stroked. After cleaning and some TLC the engine fired rigt up and ran very well. It is a survivor.

Bob

03-18-2015, 03:27 PM	#1
Ironrod Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, KY Posts: 81	Engine id. Friend was looking for an engine to install in a race car for Owensboro KY speed museum. Seller indicated the engine came from a 1939 mercury. Engine was only to be cleaned and painted for looks and not started. After futher investigation we decided we might see if it will run. Have not found a date code yet. Pistons are standard Floating bearings(all appear in good shape) Relieved block 81T heads Last edited by Ironrod; 12-12-2016 at 09:30 AM.

03-18-2015, 03:40 PM	#2
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,484	Re: Engine id. Hi all; Looks to have a trapazoid mid-block hole and a round center mid-block hole-39-41 Merc/truck 95 hp block- the good one! Newc

03-18-2015, 03:45 PM	#3
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Engine id. I think this is a '41 -42 or even more likely the wartime variant of '42, because it has the boss on bell for drilling third oil hole and is factory relieved. All good stuff!

03-18-2015, 03:47 PM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Engine id. You will not find a date code as there are none. Must be identified as Newc stated by features of the block. It also has the raised intake area 41-42.

03-18-2015, 05:04 PM	#5
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,987	Re: Engine id. you are braver than me by hanging that block from the front water jacket bolt holes. That is some pretty thin material in that area.

03-18-2015, 05:22 PM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Engine id. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) One suggestion, that is a very nice looking block (needs to be tested to confirm) to set in a museum. Might want to switch it out for a cracked one and save a good block.

03-18-2015, 06:35 PM	#7
Ironrod Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, KY Posts: 81	Re: Engine id. Thanks for the replies. B-0-B THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP, will tell the owner. At the time we did not think the engine would be worth saving because it was on a dirt floor garage and only paid salvage price. The engine in the race car is full race flathead, after detuning will be in a 1934 coupe for the street. He may want to rethink this idea after hearing about the engine. Bob

03-20-2015, 07:40 PM	#8
ronford Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 69	Re: Engine id. 81T heads would be correct for a 1939 Mercury.

03-22-2015, 12:53 PM	#9
Jet96 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 18	Re: Engine id. Raised intake deck pretty much narrows it down...

03-22-2015, 04:40 PM	#11
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,064	Re: Engine id. It appears to be a 41/42 Merc or wartime engine - am building one as I write this. If the owner is thinking about just sticking it in a museum and not running it, have him contact me and I'll get him a block for that purpose and buy this engine from him. I'd hate to see it just sit - might as well put it to good flathead use! Let me know . . . B&S

03-22-2015, 05:04 PM	#12
Ironrod Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, KY Posts: 81	Re: Engine id. After all of the comments about the engine, he is now retinking his options. We are cleanig all parts and will attempt to run the engine, then make a decision on installing in a 1934 coupe. Bob

03-23-2015, 07:17 AM	#13
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,064	Re: Engine id. Always great to hear about somebody getting another one running! Good luck!

04-11-2015, 07:09 PM	#14
Ironrod Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Utica, KY Posts: 81	Re: Engine id. Update for Bored&Stroked. After cleaning and some TLC the engine fired rigt up and ran very well. It is a survivor. Bob Last edited by Ironrod; 12-12-2016 at 09:30 AM.