The Ford Barn

ndnchf · 06-30-2023, 05:37 PM

I'm a model A guy, this flathead V8 stuff is new to me. A friend has this '35 Fordor with this later engine in it. It runs great. I'm wondering what motor it is. The heads appear to be '37- '48. I don't know much more, but will be going over on sunday to look closer. BTW, I'm told this is the original '35 motor sitting in a cradle in his garage and comes with it.
Thanks
Steve

petehoovie · 06-30-2023, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I'm a model A guy, this flathead V8 stuff is new to me. A friend has this '35 Fordor with this later engine in it. It runs great. I'm wondering what motor it is. The heads appear to be '37- '48. I don't know much more, but will be going over on sunday to look closer. BTW, I'm told this is the original '35 motor sitting in a cradle in his garage and comes with it.
Thanks
Steve

fordyford · 06-30-2023, 07:05 PM

81A on the heads means 1938

Brian · 06-30-2023, 08:40 PM

And it passes the pencil test so 38-42

ndnchf · 07-01-2023, 06:53 AM

Thanks for the replies. It has a crab distributor and coil that doesnt seem to be the original set up. Carb is marked 97. The mechanical fuel pump is blocked off and an electric fuel pump is used. It fires right up and runs smoothly.

I've had a lot of antique cars, trucks and motorcycles over the last 50 years, but never a early flathead V8. So this is a real learning experience. A good friend has this car and offered it to me at a very fair price. So I'm trying to learn as much as possible. Its an older restoration, but still shows very well. I appreciate everyone's help and insight.

alanwoodieman · 07-01-2023, 08:43 AM

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with the A on the heads up front instead of the middle they are considered 1939

Bored&Stroked · 07-01-2023, 08:46 AM

The second engine (on the roller dollies - with the straps on it) appears to be a 35 or 36 engine (best guess without seeing more). What numbers/letters are stamped on the heads? Maybe that is the original engine out of the car?

Planojc · 07-01-2023, 08:57 AM

Beautiful car.

ndnchf · 07-01-2023, 09:03 AM

My friend bought the car a number years ago from a widow who's husband restored the car. The story is that the extra motor is the original. The guy wanted a better motor for driving, so swapped it. My friend thinks the motor on the dolly is a good motor, but doesnt know for sure. I'll be going over to look at it closer tomorrow.

petehoovie · 07-01-2023, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Planojc

Beautiful car.

Flathead Fever · 07-01-2023, 11:08 AM

That is a beautiful car. My dad alwasy had a thing for those apple green wire wheels. The '35 engine looks like it was rebuilt and not driven much. Strange they would have replaced it with a later engine on a restored car like that one.

I would install the original fuel pump setup and use the electric pump just to prime the engine. The electric pump needs to be one that when its "off" it remains "open" so the mechanical pump can still pull through it. The filter needs to be before the electric fuel pump. Where it is at now it's not protecting the pump from getting junk in it, plus it's a fire hazard should it leak on the engine. And its' ugly! The carb looks sike it's one of the new reproductions 97s. There is a good chance somebody was having problem with the fuel system and tried a few things to fix it.

ndnchf · 07-01-2023, 05:10 PM

I'm told it has a new gas tank and the clear filter is not really needed. It is clean inside. If I do get the car, it will be on my to do list. Thanks, Steve

rotorwrench · 07-02-2023, 11:36 AM

The guys have ID'd the approximate time frame for the Big A heads. The engine may be any 24-stud 221 V8 from the period of 1938 till the US entered the war in early 1942. Some spare part 221 blocks were cast beginning in the late war years as replacements. The blocks also have characteristics that can ID them to an approximate time frame. The 99A Mercury and big truck 239 blocks will fit the Big A heads as well but they also have characteristics that can approximate the time frame and ID the type.

The flathead V8 engines have a lot of interchangeability.

ndnchf · 07-02-2023, 04:47 PM

Great info, thanks very much. I spent a couple hours today looking at and driving the car. It has a few minor things that need work, but it drives very nice. That motor has plenty of power. We made a deal on the car, I'll pick it up later this week.

It has a beautiful original radio too.

Kube · 07-02-2023, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

with the A on the heads up front instead of the middle they are considered 1939

Spot on!

petehoovie · 07-02-2023, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndnchf

It has a beautiful original radio too.

ndnchf · 07-10-2023, 02:23 PM

Ive ordered the 35-36 EV8 club book, but while waiting I have more questions. This is a simple one - how do I remove the spare tire? I thought the hubcap would just pop off revealing a lug nut or 2. But the hubcap is really on tight. Im afraid to pry too much. Suggestions?? Thanks, Steve

deuce lover · 07-10-2023, 02:26 PM

Behind the swing away Ford oval disc is a lock.You need the key to unlock it.Here is a pic I pulled off Ebay.

ndnchf · 07-10-2023, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Behind the swing away Ford oval disc is a lock.You need the key to unlock it.Here is a pic I pulled off Ebay.

Bingo - thank you! I was wondering about the extra keys I had. BTW, I meant to put this in my other discussion here.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328489

Sorry about that.

Newc · 07-10-2023, 04:09 PM

Make extra Keys!! Lost or stolen by visitors is my problem. File the exras! Newc

06-30-2023, 07:05 PM	#3
fordyford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 192	Re: Please help identify this engine 81A on the heads means 1938

06-30-2023, 08:40 PM	#4
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: Please help identify this engine And it passes the pencil test so 38-42 __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

07-01-2023, 08:43 AM	#6
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,964	Re: Please help identify this engine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) with the A on the heads up front instead of the middle they are considered 1939

07-01-2023, 08:46 AM	#7
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	Re: Please help identify this engine The second engine (on the roller dollies - with the straps on it) appears to be a 35 or 36 engine (best guess without seeing more). What numbers/letters are stamped on the heads? Maybe that is the original engine out of the car?

07-01-2023, 08:57 AM	#8
Planojc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 848	Re: Please help identify this engine Beautiful car.

07-01-2023, 09:03 AM	#9
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 764	Re: Please help identify this engine My friend bought the car a number years ago from a widow who's husband restored the car. The story is that the extra motor is the original. The guy wanted a better motor for driving, so swapped it. My friend thinks the motor on the dolly is a good motor, but doesnt know for sure. I'll be going over to look at it closer tomorrow.

07-01-2023, 11:08 AM	#11
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,095	Re: Please help identify this engine That is a beautiful car. My dad alwasy had a thing for those apple green wire wheels. The '35 engine looks like it was rebuilt and not driven much. Strange they would have replaced it with a later engine on a restored car like that one. I would install the original fuel pump setup and use the electric pump just to prime the engine. The electric pump needs to be one that when its "off" it remains "open" so the mechanical pump can still pull through it. The filter needs to be before the electric fuel pump. Where it is at now it's not protecting the pump from getting junk in it, plus it's a fire hazard should it leak on the engine. And its' ugly! The carb looks sike it's one of the new reproductions 97s. There is a good chance somebody was having problem with the fuel system and tried a few things to fix it.

07-01-2023, 05:10 PM	#12
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 764	Re: Please help identify this engine I'm told it has a new gas tank and the clear filter is not really needed. It is clean inside. If I do get the car, it will be on my to do list. Thanks, Steve

07-02-2023, 11:36 AM	#13
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Please help identify this engine The guys have ID'd the approximate time frame for the Big A heads. The engine may be any 24-stud 221 V8 from the period of 1938 till the US entered the war in early 1942. Some spare part 221 blocks were cast beginning in the late war years as replacements. The blocks also have characteristics that can ID them to an approximate time frame. The 99A Mercury and big truck 239 blocks will fit the Big A heads as well but they also have characteristics that can approximate the time frame and ID the type. The flathead V8 engines have a lot of interchangeability.

07-10-2023, 04:09 PM	#20
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,488	Re: Please help identify this engine Make extra Keys!! Lost or stolen by visitors is my problem. File the exras! Newc