The Ford Barn

flathead4dr · 06-30-2016, 09:00 PM

How can you identify a 59AB bare block from any other 59 series block that have a "59" cast onto the bell housing ??

JSeery · 06-30-2016, 09:29 PM

What differences you are referring to? Bore size? That can be easily checked.

flathead4dr · 06-30-2016, 10:57 PM

I was thinking there was a couple of years earlier that were "59" engines but did not have the "AB" cast on the heads for some reason??

scooder · 07-01-2016, 01:45 AM

There were 59 blocks that had 3 1/16" bore aswell as 59 blocks with 3 3/16" bore. 59AB on the head only means it's got 59AB heads, nothing more nothing less.
Pretty sure all the 3 3/16" 59 blocks are the same, all the ones I've seen are. The 59AB heads are a little higher compression than the earlier heads, I have measured these at 76 cc +- the earlier heads including the 81A heads measured 80 cc +-. Interestingly the 8BA heads I've measured have 80 cc +-. If you lay them combustion chamber up, you can see the 59AB heads have a different chamber shape than the earlier and 8BA.
Martin.

flathead4dr · 07-01-2016, 08:26 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks Martin. This is the information I was looking for. Bill

06-30-2016, 09:00 PM	#1
flathead4dr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern WA Posts: 107	59AB engine How can you identify a 59AB bare block from any other 59 series block that have a "59" cast onto the bell housing ?? __________________ Old Fords make funny noises.

06-30-2016, 09:29 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 59AB engine What differences you are referring to? Bore size? That can be easily checked.

06-30-2016, 10:57 PM	#3
flathead4dr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern WA Posts: 107	Re: 59AB engine I was thinking there was a couple of years earlier that were "59" engines but did not have the "AB" cast on the heads for some reason?? __________________ Old Fords make funny noises.

07-01-2016, 01:45 AM	#4
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: 59AB engine There were 59 blocks that had 3 1/16" bore aswell as 59 blocks with 3 3/16" bore. 59AB on the head only means it's got 59AB heads, nothing more nothing less. Pretty sure all the 3 3/16" 59 blocks are the same, all the ones I've seen are. The 59AB heads are a little higher compression than the earlier heads, I have measured these at 76 cc +- the earlier heads including the 81A heads measured 80 cc +-. Interestingly the 8BA heads I've measured have 80 cc +-. If you lay them combustion chamber up, you can see the 59AB heads have a different chamber shape than the earlier and 8BA. Martin.

07-01-2016, 08:26 AM	#5
flathead4dr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern WA Posts: 107	Re: 59AB engine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks Martin. This is the information I was looking for. Bill __________________ Old Fords make funny noises.