Hot Rods 59l block?

What do you know about these flat head blocks? I am thinking about building a new flat head, and I am wondering if this is a good block to use. Also, does anyone have one, or know where I can get one? Ford relieved these blocks in the production line, making this the easiest way to tell if your motor is an “l” block, also, most of them had 59 l stamped on them. This is all I know, and I would love the wisdom of the hamb to tell me more.

 

There were other flatheads that came with a factory relief, not just an L block. Actually, I’m not sure all L blocks were relieved.

If it doesn’t have the L on it what makes it an L block? The actual differences of the “odd letter” blocks is lost to time. Lore says they are stronger, but no proof.

I have a few of the unusual blocks, a Z, an X, and maybe an L or Y but it’s been a while since I’ve seen it. I have a couple of the ‘40 Merc blocks known as 99 blocks, but mine are unmarked. The 99 has thicker cylinder walls.

 

Are the factory relieved blocks cast thicker around the relief area, or are they just machined after being built.

 

The relief is machined in, but I don’t know if they started thicker under there. Never measured. It’s not really a nice relief, just a narrow valley cut in there. No attention paid to matching the gasket opening.

 

I've been fortunate to have found two 59L blocks still in their original Ford crate and covered in cosomoline. We had a couple army air bases in the area from the start of WWII until the middle 50's and they may have been military surplus. There's so many different stories as to what they were used for. Also had new Merc 4 inch cranks and rods for each of them. They both made excellent hot rod motors.

 

My avatar was a 304 cubic inch 59L. This is what happens when you miss a shift.

 

When I was a kid, everybody said they were the best of all.

 

I have a 59L block. A lot of these blocks came factory relieved but there are some as well that were not factory relieved. I was told that these blocks were harder and have a higher nickel content than the regular 59A flathead block. These blocks were meant for hard to severe service and ended up in Canadian school buses, trucks and of course the military.
The 59L will be located on top of the bellhousing at the rear of the block. The L will immediately... follow the 59. Excellent block to build a long lasting flathead.

 

So, I am wanting a very strong block. I wont be over boring it or stroking it. The 59l sounds like the block for me. Does anyone know where I can find one of these?

 

It helps if you have a lot of patience, persistance, and money. They weren't easy to find back in the day. I have seen literally hundreds of flathead blocks and I have never seen one.

 

Have you tried the wanted ads? Other than that, swap meets or asking friends.