The Ford Barn

Bob Good · 06-01-2022, 12:00 PM

My '39 Ford Delux Tudor is equipped with a 24 stud flathead with a crab distributor and Holley 2 barrel carburetor. The heads simply have the letter"A" forged into them. Below the "A" is some identification that is no longer readable. I cannot see the bell housing. The 2016 restoration occurred before I purchased the car in July 2021. I know the crab is 1942. The 3/4 Isky cam has a sweet lick to it via the dual exhaust with Smitty's. I live in a rural area of GA; not near any V-8 Club members. So I am extremely grateful for your help. Regards, Bob Good

hotrodart · 06-01-2022, 01:59 PM

Most likely a "Heinz-57 Variety" motor, as most flatheads are today....

rotorwrench · 06-01-2022, 02:16 PM

The big A is a characteristic of the 81A heads used on 221 engines in that time frame. The early 24 stud heads fit any prewar engine but need chamber pocket relief if used on post war engines. Pre 1941 blocks have bulges on the edge of the pan rails for core sand removal bores into the cooling system. Later blocks from 1941 on are flat along the pan rails. A person would have to dig deeper to tell if it's a larger CID engine.

Bored&Stroked · 06-02-2022, 09:34 AM

It sounds like you have an original engine, or at least the correct heads for your given year and model. Post a couple pics so we can see your car . . . and welcome on the Barn!

FlatheadEric · 06-03-2022, 07:27 PM

Hello Bob Good
I have the same heads on my 81A late '38 24 stud engine, which probably spilled into early '39.

The identification on mine below the big A is the word FORD in the traditional style curly Ford writing. See attached photo.

Also if you look on the top edge at the rear of the right hand head and the top edge at the front of the left hand head you may see the 81A part number for each head.

Mine have 81A 6049A on RHS head and 81A 6050A on LHS head. See attached photo.

Bob Good · 06-04-2022, 07:47 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FlatheadEric

Hello Bob Good
I have the same heads on my 81A late '38 24 stud engine, which probably spilled into early '39.

The identification on mine below the big A is the word FORD in the traditional style curly Ford writing. See attached photo.

Also if you look on the top edge at the rear of the right hand head and the top edge at the front of the left hand head you may see the 81A part number for each head.

Mine have 81A 6049A on RHS head and 81A 6050A on LHS head. See attached photo.

Very helpful. Thank you. Question; Was a 24 stud head mated to a 221 cid engine? I thought it defined a 239 cid?

deuce lover · 06-04-2022, 08:46 AM

From Van Pelts site.Click on the link.Its all explained there.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...UPU39eTkdhtMh_

YearDisplacement
(Cubic Inches)Bore & Stroke
(In

Mart · 06-04-2022, 08:51 AM

The early 24 stud motors were still 221 cu in. The Mercs got the 239 at first then Fords and Mercs got the 239.

rotorwrench · 06-04-2022, 11:07 AM

A person needs to find a 239 characteristic on the block to verify if its a 99 block or an 81. The "59" casting used after the war wasn't even a guarantee if it is a 221 or 239 since Ford made 221 replacements with that number on the back. The 221 blocks had a ledge on the top of the timing cover flange that is just wide enough for a pencil to be placed there. The 239 blocks taper smoothly from the intake deck down to that flange.

If the block doesn't have a "99" stamped on the front right side then the head has to come off to verify. The 221 has trapizoidal "keystone" ports in the center location of the decks. The 239 block has a large round port in the center port of the deck.

The Canadian made engines have casting marks to verify which type it is but the US used paint color at the factory to ID them with only a few exceptions.

This is the official Fordbarn block ID thread. The photo-bucket stuff is replaced at the end of the thread for the most part but it's a good thread.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...5301&showall=1

swoopNZ · 06-04-2022, 02:59 PM

the first 24 stud flatheads in 1938 had a smaller diameter crankshaft.
They were enlarged for 1939.

06-01-2022, 12:00 PM	#1
Bob Good Junior Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 3	Identify engine My '39 Ford Delux Tudor is equipped with a 24 stud flathead with a crab distributor and Holley 2 barrel carburetor. The heads simply have the letter"A" forged into them. Below the "A" is some identification that is no longer readable. I cannot see the bell housing. The 2016 restoration occurred before I purchased the car in July 2021. I know the crab is 1942. The 3/4 Isky cam has a sweet lick to it via the dual exhaust with Smitty's. I live in a rural area of GA; not near any V-8 Club members. So I am extremely grateful for your help. Regards, Bob Good

06-01-2022, 01:59 PM	#2
hotrodart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shenandoah Valley Virginia Posts: 220	Re: Identify engine Most likely a "Heinz-57 Variety" motor, as most flatheads are today....

06-01-2022, 02:16 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Identify engine The big A is a characteristic of the 81A heads used on 221 engines in that time frame. The early 24 stud heads fit any prewar engine but need chamber pocket relief if used on post war engines. Pre 1941 blocks have bulges on the edge of the pan rails for core sand removal bores into the cooling system. Later blocks from 1941 on are flat along the pan rails. A person would have to dig deeper to tell if it's a larger CID engine. Last edited by rotorwrench; 06-01-2022 at 02:23 PM.

06-02-2022, 09:34 AM	#4
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	Re: Identify engine It sounds like you have an original engine, or at least the correct heads for your given year and model. Post a couple pics so we can see your car . . . and welcome on the Barn!

06-04-2022, 08:46 AM	#7
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,307	Re: Identify engine From Van Pelts site.Click on the link.Its all explained there. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...UPU39eTkdhtMh_ YearDisplacement (Cubic Inches)Bore & Stroke (In

06-04-2022, 08:51 AM	#8
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	Re: Identify engine The early 24 stud motors were still 221 cu in. The Mercs got the 239 at first then Fords and Mercs got the 239.

06-04-2022, 11:07 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Identify engine A person needs to find a 239 characteristic on the block to verify if its a 99 block or an 81. The "59" casting used after the war wasn't even a guarantee if it is a 221 or 239 since Ford made 221 replacements with that number on the back. The 221 blocks had a ledge on the top of the timing cover flange that is just wide enough for a pencil to be placed there. The 239 blocks taper smoothly from the intake deck down to that flange. If the block doesn't have a "99" stamped on the front right side then the head has to come off to verify. The 221 has trapizoidal "keystone" ports in the center location of the decks. The 239 block has a large round port in the center port of the deck. The Canadian made engines have casting marks to verify which type it is but the US used paint color at the factory to ID them with only a few exceptions. This is the official Fordbarn block ID thread. The photo-bucket stuff is replaced at the end of the thread for the most part but it's a good thread. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...5301&showall=1

06-04-2022, 02:59 PM	#10
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: Identify engine the first 24 stud flatheads in 1938 had a smaller diameter crankshaft. They were enlarged for 1939.