Help with cylinder heads

[RickMcK]

Hi. I found out I have 2 different styles of heads on my 36! My 36 is a pickup so I would like to keep cast iron heads on it.

Which is correct?? The combustion chamber are different! The right image (right bank) has crack in it (repairable), but I would rather get a better one to replace it.

The left and center images are the same head with a casting # 40-6050. This head is the "good one" (no cracks). It is a "Left bank" head.

Thus, I need a "right bank" head with the same style combustion chamber, or a "left bank" to match the cracked (but repairable) one.

The crack in the right bank is through the 3 bolt holes down the center (top to bottom)

Any suggestions??

[keith oh]

Would the rt bank one be marked Ford 40 6049B The chambers look the same as your left picture. It is in very nice condition, very clean inside and out, looks like a new one. Let me know if it would "fill the bill". Keith Oh [email protected]

[jerry grayson]

Does you engine have dome or flat pistons?

[RickMcK]

Flat pistons

And the Left bank volume is about 78cc. The right bank volume is about 68cc.

[RickMcK]

I think I need to re-frame my question.

Which style head is correct for a 36 with flat pistons? Because I now know I will need either one or a set of new heads as the combustion chamber volumes are different.

[DavidG]

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40-6049-A and 40-6050-A aluminum heads for flat top pistons and 40-6049-B and 40-6050-B cast iron heads for flat top pistons.

[RickMcK]

Dave Thanks. I want to sure I understand you correctly.

I need a "mate" (rt bank) for my "good" head (Lft bank). With the combustion chamber that looks like the image on the far left and center is this correct?

Because I will be getting the heads surfaced, does anyone have suggestions on what the combustion chamber volume should be? My good head measures about 78cc

[wamnram]

For the 40-6049/50 A series, 60 cc, for the 40-6049/50 B series, 80 cc.

[PAracer]

I've been following this post as I have a set of used aluminum heads that I was told were off a 1936 truck. They have a Ford script and have Made in Canada on them. A friend looked at them and said they were for flat top pistons. I do not see the numbers 30-6049/50 on them. In fact other than the Ford script and Made in Canada there are no other markings or numbers. My question is are these 20-6049/50 heads?

[Terry,OH]

By 35 Ford heads had suffix letters, -A for aluminum and -B for cast iron. Both still carried the prefix of 40- from 33-34, these heads are for flat top pistons of 35 and carried over into 36.
The aluminum heads also had the Ford script either embossed or indented into the head. Ford used three manufactures for the heads they can be identified by the circle with a number in it. If you want matching heads look for them to have the same Mfg. number in the circle. Often the letters HT appear on the heads for "heat treated"

[JM 35 Sedan]

I don't think anyone has actually answered Rick's question(s). He is wanting to use cast iron heads on his '36 pickup, which I am told would be correct for '36. I believe Don Rogers, Lawson Cox or Jerry Grayson could confirm this. His existing cast iron heads have different combustion chamber configurations. They are both for flattop pistons and should not be mixed on the same engine. The big question is why were there two different combustion chambers (= different CR) for flattop pistons?? I suspect one could have been used on trucks and the other on passenger cars. Does anyone know for sure??

[RickMcK]

John. Thanks for the better question. From the messages above it seems like some folks think the combustion chambers are either for domed or flat top pistons. You bring up a new point (a good one).

Per an earlier reply I still would like clarification on what "shape" combustion chamber is correct for my application the left bank or Right bank?

Thanks
Rick Mckenney
Seattle WA

[Don Rogers]

Rick, What numbers/markings are there on the other head. You show only the 40-6050 head from the top. Unless this head has similar markings to the 40-6050, it is most likely an after market head and not Ford. I personally would try to find a mate for your 40-6050 head. The shape of its combustion chamber is consistant with one of Fords head designs from the mid 30's.

[DavidG]

As Don indicates, the shape of the of the combustion chamber on the head in the photo on the right is unlike anything Ford used in the '33-'36 model years for either aluminum or cast iron heads. Toss the oddball head; don't bother to repair the crack in it. There are lots of '33-'36 cast iron flat top piston heads around, although you may not encounter too many other than in pairs. (I note, however, in one of the posts above someone is offering a correct replacement for the right side.)

PAracer,

We'd need a photo of the underside of your heads to ascertain if they were 40-prefix heads for use with flat top pistons or 48-prefix for use with dome top pistons. But, if they are indeed for flat top pistons then yes, the are 40-6049/6050 cylinder heads. (Not all 40-prefix aluminum cylinder heads had cast-in part numbers.) In any event, there were no Ford production or service part prefixes of either '20' or '30'.

[RickMcK]

Don. Etal. The right bank head (the one with the cracks) has a stamp of 5-15 made in USA.
From the discussion above it looks like a "non Ford" part.

Thus, I am searching (locally) for a mate (Right bank) Part #40-6049 with the "proper combustion chamber shape. I will let everyone know what I find (or not).

[RickMcK]

David G. The photos of the top and bottom of the 40-6050 head (left bank) are in my first post- top of this thread (center and left images). The "Odd ball" is the right image with part # of "5-15 made in USA".

Yes, it looks like all I need is the mate (40-6049) Right bank head, to make everything correct.

[keith oh]

Here is pictures of the rt.cast iron head I described in earlier post. The numbers match as well as combustion chambers to your good left cast head. The spark plug threads are all good. Email me if you need more information. [email protected]

[DavidG]

Rick,

Please re-read my post. That second part was addressed to PAracer and was so written. Perhaps I should have used a separate response to his note.

[RickMcK]

David G. OOPS Now I see the change in subject, and the message makes way more sense

[PAracer]

Rick, I must appologize for hi-jacking your thread. I didn't mean to add confusion to your discussion.

David, I've attached a picture of the combustion chamber of one of the heads. So without casting numbers how does one tell what year/application aluminum heads are for?

Thanks,
Mike