The Ford Barn

Tim Ayers · 06-06-2021, 06:40 PM

Hi All:

I went to go look at a motor today. Supposedly out of a '41 truck that was wrecked and then used to power a saw mill.

The truck part seems to check out. 81T heads and a heavier duty fan.

If I'm correct, all 81T's were 221 ci motors, right?

Thanks,

Tim

alanwoodieman · 06-06-2021, 07:12 PM

yes they were! in 39 and more prominent in 40 up could be 95 hp mercury version but not in 38

Tim Ayers · 06-06-2021, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

yes they were! in 39 and more prominent in 40 up could be 95 hp mercury version but not in 38

I don't think it is. I tried to find the stamp in the corners of the block. It does seems to have the raised intake surface. The story of it coming out of a '41 truck seems plausible. I kind of know the saw mill the gentleman was talking about.

Tim Ayers · 06-07-2021, 12:29 PM

Any other thoughts? Google is making my dizzy. Keep reading that trucks in '41 may have gotten the 239 ci motor. I wish the heads were off this motor so I'd know for sure.

marko39 · 06-07-2021, 01:03 PM

I got a similar engine from an old doodlebug. I pulled heads and did a shade tree valve job and put it in my 39 Tudor just to " sort things out". Getting ready for its first drive in 50 years. Engine starts instantly and has good oil pressure. Sounds like a sewing machine. Wife was pissed I spent 75.00 on the doodle bug.

Tim Ayers · 06-07-2021, 01:04 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by marko39

I got a similar engine from an old doodlebug. I pulled heads and did a shade tree valve job and put it in my 39 Tudor just to " sort things out". Getting ready for its first drive in 50 years. Engine starts instantly and has good oil pressure. Sounds like a sewing machine. Wife was pissed I spent 75.00 on the doodle bug.

Was it a 221 or 239? I have a feeling this one will have tin sleeves as well.

V8COOPMAN · 06-07-2021, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Hi All:

I went to go look at a motor today. Supposedly out of a '41 truck that was wrecked and then used to power a saw mill.

The truck part seems to check out. 81T heads and a heavier duty fan.

If I'm correct, all 81T's were 221 ci motors, right?
Tim

Hey Tim....I'm pretty sure that "81T-" is going to be 221 cu. in., because that "81T-" was relevant from '38-'42. And of course, MERCURY & 100 HP were 239 cu. in. In the meantime, as evidenced by the paragraph below (thank you Mac VanPelt) references the "99T-" for the 239 cu. in. TRUCK engines from '39-'41. Sounds plausible, anyway! DD

" Original cylinder heads for 1938 to 1942 were generally marked with "81T" for truck engines from 1938 to 1942; "99T" for 100hp Ford Truck and Mercury in 1939 to 1941; and "29A" for Mercury in 1942. "

jimTN · 06-07-2021, 04:30 PM

What is on the bellhousing, a big A and are there two bulges on each pan rail side?

Tim Ayers · 06-07-2021, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimTN

What is on the bellhousing, a big A and are there two bulges on each pan rail side?

Nothing on the bell. I honestly forgot to look at the pan rails.

Tim Ayers · 06-07-2021, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Hey Tim....I'm pretty sure that "81T-" is going to be 221 cu. in., because that "81T-" was relevant from '38-'42. And of course, MERCURY & 100 HP were 239 cu. in. In the meantime, as evidenced by the paragraph below (thank you Mac VanPelt) references the "99T-" for the 239 cu. in. TRUCK engines from '39-'41. Sounds plausible, anyway! DD

" Original cylinder heads for 1938 to 1942 were generally marked with "81T" for truck engines from 1938 to 1942; "99T" for 100hp Ford Truck and Mercury in 1939 to 1941; and "29A" for Mercury in 1942. "

Coop,

Thank you. I'm leaning towards it being a 221 as well. I went to look at it after a long hot day of fishing, so I wasn't on my A game. I did briefly look at the front corners for a 99 stamp and didn't see it, but it was kind of dark in the shed.

Not that a 221 is a bad engine, but I've got some cracked 99A's and don't need another boat anchor at this point. I'm looking for have one good spare block for a future build.

expavr · 06-07-2021, 05:52 PM

The original engine in my 40 Tonner has 81T heads and was 221 CI prior to boring to 239 CI during the rebuild. It wasn't sleeved.

flatjack9 · 06-07-2021, 07:59 PM

There is no way to know for sure without pulling the heads. After 80 years, who knows what has been done.

marko39 · 06-08-2021, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Was it a 221 or 239? I have a feeling this one will have tin sleeves as well.

mine is a 221 with no sleeves. had a 81a that was 221 with the thin sleeves.

Tim Ayers · 06-08-2021, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

There is no way to know for sure without pulling the heads. After 80 years, who knows what has been done.

True.

06-06-2021, 06:40 PM	#1
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	81T from a '41 truck should still be a 221ci, correct? Hi All: I went to go look at a motor today. Supposedly out of a '41 truck that was wrecked and then used to power a saw mill. The truck part seems to check out. 81T heads and a heavier duty fan. If I'm correct, all 81T's were 221 ci motors, right? Thanks, Tim Last edited by Tim Ayers; 06-07-2021 at 12:38 PM.

06-06-2021, 07:12 PM	#2
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: 81T from a truck should still be a 221ci, correct? yes they were! in 39 and more prominent in 40 up could be 95 hp mercury version but not in 38

06-07-2021, 12:29 PM	#4
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: 81T from a '41 truck should still be a 221ci, correct? Any other thoughts? Google is making my dizzy. Keep reading that trucks in '41 may have gotten the 239 ci motor. I wish the heads were off this motor so I'd know for sure. Last edited by Tim Ayers; 06-07-2021 at 12:38 PM.

06-07-2021, 01:03 PM	#5
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: 81T from a '41 truck should still be a 221ci, correct? I got a similar engine from an old doodlebug. I pulled heads and did a shade tree valve job and put it in my 39 Tudor just to " sort things out". Getting ready for its first drive in 50 years. Engine starts instantly and has good oil pressure. Sounds like a sewing machine. Wife was pissed I spent 75.00 on the doodle bug.

06-07-2021, 04:30 PM	#8
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: 81T from a '41 truck should still be a 221ci, correct? What is on the bellhousing, a big A and are there two bulges on each pan rail side?

06-07-2021, 05:52 PM	#11
expavr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hansville, WA Posts: 776	Re: 81T from a '41 truck should still be a 221ci, correct? The original engine in my 40 Tonner has 81T heads and was 221 CI prior to boring to 239 CI during the rebuild. It wasn't sleeved.

06-07-2021, 07:59 PM	#12
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: 81T from a '41 truck should still be a 221ci, correct? There is no way to know for sure without pulling the heads. After 80 years, who knows what has been done.