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Old 07-28-2020, 12:27 PM   #1
#1Oldfordman
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Default Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Has anyone else on here found '38 engine with 21 studs and 14mm spark plugs instead of the 18 mm? My engine is original to the car and the engine number as stamped on the bell housing shows it was made in the November 1937 week or two before they officially changed to 24 stud and smaller plugs.
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Old 07-28-2020, 01:00 PM   #2
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

The '38 cars would generally starting to show up in the showrooms in Sept of '37.
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Old 07-28-2020, 01:09 PM   #3
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Everything in your post goes counter to what is considered fact today.
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Old 07-28-2020, 03:44 PM   #4
Jack E/NJ
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

>>>Has anyone else on here found '38 engine with 21 studs and 14mm spark plugs instead of the 18 mm?>>>


I haven't. But with a set of 18mm-14mm spark plug adapters from Amazon, i probably could find you one in my garage. 8^) Jack E/NJ
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Old 07-28-2020, 04:13 PM   #5
#1Oldfordman
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

My info is right out of the Ford records.
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Old 07-28-2020, 04:14 PM   #6
#1Oldfordman
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

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And no reducer adapters in my heads, so now what.
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Old 07-28-2020, 04:15 PM   #7
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Quote:
Originally Posted by #1Oldfordman View Post
Has anyone else on here found '38 engine with 21 studs and 14mm spark plugs instead of the 18 mm? My engine is original to the car and the engine number as stamped on the bell housing shows it was made in the November 1937 week or two before they officially changed to 24 stud and smaller plugs.
As stated in post #2 1938 engines were actually built in 1937 as 1938 models.
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Old 07-28-2020, 06:18 PM   #8
Jack E/NJ
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

>>>My info is right out of the Ford records.>>>


What Ford records? Please post a link, reference or image of these records that you have access to. Are they aluminum heads? Could be aftermarket? Jack E?NJ
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Old 07-28-2020, 09:09 PM   #9
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

If you are looking for 18mm I used Autolite 386 and they are fine. Have,nt figured out how to post a photo. easy on the HAMB but not here. Take a look at my blog and a photo of my engine,car runs like a champ! www.1948fordpickup.blogspot.ca
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Old 07-28-2020, 10:39 PM   #10
DavidG
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

The DeAngelis/Francis book has the monthly engine build by engine numbers summarized from the Dearborn Engine Plant log wherein the data was posted daily. They are also available at the Benson Ford Research Center.


However, the normal numbering practice was to stamp the engine number on the transmission bell housing, not on the engine block itself. If that is the case here, you basically have no way of knowing with certainty that the engine itself is the original (unless you are the original owner and never had an engine rebuild).
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Old 07-29-2020, 05:12 AM   #11
Terry,OH
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Are there any identifying marks on the heads? What are they?
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Old 07-29-2020, 05:18 AM   #12
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Quote:
Originally Posted by #1Oldfordman View Post
Has anyone else on here found '38 engine with 21 studs and 14mm spark plugs instead of the 18 mm? My engine is original to the car and the engine number as stamped on the bell housing shows it was made in the November 1937 week or two before they officially changed to 24 stud and smaller plugs.
#1oldfordman:
It sounds like the answer to your question is no.

No-one that has read your post has seen 21 stud heads with 14mm plugs. Some pictures showing what you have would be very interesting to see.

Mart.
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Old 07-29-2020, 11:33 AM   #13
4 MAINS V8
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

D4BAC718-A918-47C5-852B-3A5514EB36F6.jpg

F4906BC9-3803-4F09-A14F-26D1297F8C79.jpgJust as a matter of interest,Ford used 14mm plugs in 1936 in the English 22hp 15 stud heads.
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Old 07-29-2020, 06:00 PM   #14
#1Oldfordman
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Engine number stamping and car frame stamped same number. It is original to car. Motor was made 2nd week of Nov, 1937 as a #78 just weeks before the 24 stud engines started. I got the motor records from Ford Village.
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Old 07-29-2020, 06:35 PM   #15
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Quote:
Originally Posted by #1Oldfordman View Post
Engine number stamping and car frame stamped same number. It is original to car. Motor was made 2nd week of Nov, 1937 as a #78 just weeks before the 24 stud engines started. I got the motor records from Ford Village.
What i think youre missing , is that no flatheads were stamped with numbers . Only the frame and trans were . So if so state required the number on the block it would of been stamped . So if your engine is stanped then it could be the first ( original) or the fourth engine to be in your car and restamped each time it was installed or required.
Hope this makes sense . And yes ive got a couple of 21 stud lb engines with cast iron replacement heads 14mm and if I remember correctly they have what looks like a alph numerical code that looks like a D46 .
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Old 07-30-2020, 06:04 AM   #16
Terry,OH
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Default Re: Late 21 stud 85 with 14 mm plugs

Suggest you get a copy of the Early Ford V8 Club of America 1938-39 restoration manual. It can answer many questions. the book is sold on their web site.
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