The guy's selling me the engine as a 59A..., the cylinder head tells so, but the fun located on the dyno ? Aynybody can tell anything ? Asking price $240 ****** included. As always http://www.vanpeltsales.com/ had the answer. Its a 38-41 until the cooling fan was driven by its own v-belt beginning with 1942 models. Is it worth to build such an oldy ?!?! Some pics:
In my opinion, it's worth building. I have sold a dozen of those generators, and a number of fans, to one guy who cuts the generators down, so they fit multi-carb intakes. He builds/restores old stock cars like they used to run in the late 40s and 50s.
It is in '38-41 dress...but is that a "59" cast on the bell?? If so, it is a postwar 59A block, the universal replacement, or (very unlikely) a 41A replacement 221 block, also postwar built... If no 59 (I don't quite have enough resolution to tell), it would be prewar and could be a 99(239) (perhaps most desireable flathead of all) or an 81 (221), perfectly ok but limited to maybe 260 in displacement after build. What's attached to the outside of a FH means naught.
The gen is a real goody too...trans...'42 distributor...I know of people who would go 240 on the generator!...this is a good buy even if block turns out bad...
Now--what does that thing have on the bellhousing, between the row of little casting numbers and the front of trans?? All I can see is vague lumps, but they are right where "59" would appear...the 59 block rapidly became the universal replacement after WWII, and is commonly found installed in Fords of all types from '32-48. Ford even supplied mount and radiator hose adapters for early applications.
Also, what is serial number on trans...it is on little pad near top of casting, right above the little tin inspection cover...it'll be 18-****X or 99-****x and will tell us when that trans left Edgewater NJ...
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