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Old 01-13-2022, 08:38 PM   #1
neilp
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Default Sleeved 59AB Questions

Hi,
In trying to learn all things flathead I decided to tear one down. I found a cheap 59AB and have been happily disassembling it for the past few weeks in my spare time. There was a rebuilder tag on the block and I found that all of the cylinders have been sleeved to 3 3/16" with thin wall 1/16" sleeves. I would like to try to rebuild this block for the experience and end up with a spare engine to use in some future project. I have found no visible cracks in the block and assuming this is the case after testing, What would you do with this block if you just wanted a street engine with a bit more power? Thank you for your feedback.

Patrick
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Old 01-14-2022, 12:25 AM   #2
bbrocksr
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

The thin wall cast iron sleeve was 3/32" =.093 The Ford steel sleeve was .040". Those look to be the thin wall cast iron sleeves. Are the bores in good enough shape to use?

Bill
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:11 AM   #3
neilp
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

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Originally Posted by bbrocksr View Post
The thin wall cast iron sleeve was 3/32" =.093 The Ford steel sleeve was .040". Those look to be the thin wall cast iron sleeves. Are the bores in good enough shape to use?

Bill
The bores are fine and I think with some minor cleanup I can re-use them. I don't think they are 3/32" or cast iron. What makes you think they are 3/32" cast?

Patrick
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Old 01-14-2022, 02:04 AM   #4
bbrocksr
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

Steel sleeves were installed by ford in 39-41 engines. They were .040" wall thickness, pretty thin.
Most repair sleeves are cast iron and either 3/32 thin wall or standard 1/8" wall.
I think they are cast iron because steel was only .040 and these look thicker.
The steel sleeves look like a piece of exhaust tubing, they were referred to as "Tin Can" sleeves.
About the only way to get a 1/16" cast iron sleeve would be to install a 3/32" sleeve and then bore it .031".
I did a lot of boring and sleeving and the only readily available sleeves were cast iron 3/32" and 1/8" unless you special order or have them made.
Can you get an accurate measurement on them, they look like 3/32" to me. If they do measure .040" then they are the steel "Tin can" sleeves.
Bill

Last edited by bbrocksr; 01-14-2022 at 02:15 AM.
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Old 01-14-2022, 08:42 AM   #5
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

There were 2 thicknesses of "tin" pre finished sleeves something like .040, and .060 thick, I have some of the thick ones so I know they exist
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Old 01-14-2022, 10:19 AM   #6
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

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I'm not aware of Ford using "tin can" type sleeves for a 3 3/16 bore engine . . . I've only seen them on 221 cubic inch engines and the final bore was always 3 1/16.

Anybody know differently?
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Old 01-14-2022, 11:23 AM   #7
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

I have several sets of the thick version that were bought off joblot many years ago, I don't know when they were used, might be in wartime packaging but not full cosmoline treatment
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Old 01-14-2022, 11:43 AM   #8
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

On the block, mag and then pressure test it. If it is good, then hone the cylinders (if they are not too worn) and rebuild it. There were lots of rebuilders that would just bore/sleeve blocks to get them back to STD - that is probably what was done here. From a performance perspective there are a LOT of ways to go -- more cubic inches (Merc Crank), correct piston to head clearance of .040, performance cam, headers, ignition, etc.. It all comes down to what your expectations are and how much you want to spend.

Another possible option is to determine what the bore might be with the sleeves taken out of it. I normally bore these blocks .125 to 3 5/16. So, you may be able to remove the sleeves, bore it to 3 5/16, put a 4" crank in it and have a nicely performing 276 cubic inch street engine. This is one of my favorite combos for a great HotRod street application - along with a cam, headers, heads, 2 carb intake, etc..
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Old 01-14-2022, 12:50 PM   #9
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

The steel sleeves had a lip on top of them. Those engines also used steel pistons.
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Old 01-14-2022, 03:50 PM   #10
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

The steel sleeves with 3 3/16 ID in 59 style engines, that I have seen, were straight. There are(or were) special .083 OS pistons made specifically for these engines when sleeves were removed and bores were honed. I think I still have some of those pistons around here. Several companies had them available.
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Old 01-14-2022, 04:12 PM   #11
bbrocksr
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

My first engine was a 41 Merc with "tin can" sleeves, they came in both 3 1/16 & 3 3/16.
I pulled the sleeves and ordered .083 pistons. the block was cracked so I got a 59L block and bored it .083 over and used those pistons. That was 70 years ago.
Bill
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Old 01-15-2022, 06:48 PM   #12
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

Are you sure that is a 59AB block? Have you measured the bores at 3 3/16? Looks like a 221 or 81A style block.
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Old 01-15-2022, 09:59 PM   #13
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

Flathead,
I am very curious how you decided the block was not a 59AB from the pictures I posted. Please educate me on how this is done.

Patrick
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Old 01-15-2022, 10:05 PM   #14
Ken/Alabama
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

Bore it to 3 5/16” and be happy !
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Old 01-16-2022, 12:11 AM   #15
neilp
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

[QUOTE=
Another possible option is to determine what the bore might be with the sleeves taken out of it. I normally bore these blocks .125 to 3 5/16. So, you may be able to remove the sleeves, bore it to 3 5/16, put a 4" crank in it and have a nicely performing 276 cubic inch street engine. This is one of my favorite combos for a great HotRod street application - along with a cam, headers, heads, 2 carb intake, etc..[/QUOTE]

Thank you all for the feedback. I have much to learn and this is certainly a good place to post my questions, failures, and hopefully some success at some point. I think I will pursue the suggestion from Bored&Stroked and try to build a 276 street motor if this 59AB block checks out. I will let you all know how this works out.

thankyou
Patrick

Last edited by neilp; 01-16-2022 at 12:17 AM.
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Old 01-16-2022, 01:03 PM   #16
Flathead
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

Shape of the block at the bottom of cylinder wall looks like earlier blocks. Does it say 59AB on the top of bellhousing?
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Old 01-17-2022, 06:08 AM   #17
Ol' Ron
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

When boring the block to install 3 3/16 pistons, a small lip is still left where the tin sleeve sat. This makes it difficult to install the rings. I made a special cutter for my boring bar to remove this.
Gramps
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Old 01-17-2022, 03:40 PM   #18
bobH
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

Back to post 16.... Is there a '59' cast on top of the bellhousing. This discussion makes me think 'no'.
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Old 01-17-2022, 03:56 PM   #19
Bored&Stroked
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by neilp View Post
Flathead,
I am very curious how you decided the block was not a 59AB from the pictures I posted. Please educate me on how this is done.

Patrick
It is important to know what block this is - before you start thinking about over-boring (as there are limits with certain block types). Can you post some pictures of the deck surfaces and also the top of the bell-housing?
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Old 01-17-2022, 07:54 PM   #20
neilp
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Default Re: Sleeved 59AB Questions

The motor is exactly what I said it was. Here are more pictures of my $100 59AB motor as found. This motor is relieved and I believe the 59 L cast on the bell housing means this was done by Ford. Is that true or just another Flathead myth? I have not yet seen a bell housing with a 59AB casting. If you have one please post a picture. Thanks again for your feedback and comments, they were enlightening.

Patrick
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