I haven't had a '40 Ford in decades and that was when the Flathead was waaaay out of fashon. Sure there will be those revisionists that will claim otherwise, but when I pulled them out of a car, nobody would even take the scrap. Now things are different(for a while) and I find myself blessed with a few excellent choices and also have a new project '40 coupe. Having passed on a few 5 window coupes that were pretty nice, I got a business coupe project with all the right pieces. The business coupe contrary to traditional interpretation, Ford called the model with jump seats the Business contrasted by the rest of the world that had things the other way around. The '40 of my youth was a business coupe so I'm stuck with that as the sentimental choice. Back to the engine choices: In stock I have a couple of crack free 59As I like those. Since the current project is to be as retro as affordable, I also have a '41 Merc 239 with some nice early speed equiptment and a .040 overbore. For years the Merc was the Blue Chip of flatheads but that advantage disappeared after the war. Somewhat down the list is a '40 engine and a couple of 8BA candidates that probably won't make the cut because of their last gasp status. The Cadillacs and Rocket Olds' kicked their 8BA butts so that they really didn't recover for a decade. Sounds like boasting but I'm really excited about making such a choice. Realisticly the 59A and the Merc look like smart choice with the '40 engine being the choice of restoration. The Merc may not be significant to the younger crowd, but it was big stuff after the war and the 59s had not made big inroads into the wrecking yard choices. When it came to era correct bragging, the 239 post war Fords were commonly called '48 Mercs whether they were or not. Made no real world difference. So what's the most cool flathead choice in a traditional style V8 coupe? Thanks: Fred A
I like the 59A. I dig the center water inlets for the heads. Just looks the best IMO. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
To keep things simpler stay with the pre '49 motors. Less issues with fan and crank pulley clearance. Also, the upper rad hose fittings/size require mods. The 59A motors are already 239 cubes and can be overbored. Good choice and easily matched up to the 40 chassis. If you don't like the mid-mounted fan, you can swap things over to the crankshaft mounted fan that 40's came with. That being said, the choice will be determined by finding the best block in your stash....crack-free being the primary element. Also, the crankshaft journals are a factor. If one crank still has std journals and another needs to be ground to 40 or bigger, you'll find the bigger undersize bearings to be harder to find (and more expensive). The 49-53 motors vent the crankcase differently, and some don't like the different look of the breather and oil filler on them.
The '41 Merc! It's already the equivalent (+) of the '59A engines and a wee bit more period correct. It's what a Hot Rodder would have done in the '40-'48 era.
Thanks for the persuasive arguments. Given that the '41 Merc as a 239 may be the era correct leader in a '40, but as always it boils down to how good the candidates really are. The Merc block is relieved which is a bit of negative for me and the Harman Collins cam and lifters may be dusted off to add to the period charm. This guy must have loved Harman Collins, as there is a two bolt front cover with a crab style HC distributor. That crank is a 3 3/4". The 59 is a worn out standard with no visible cracks on the decks or pan rail(checked with magnet). Crank matters little because I'd prefer a 4" arm (Scat). The head choice would be a good home for my NOS aluminum Canadians. Not quite as natural as on the 99A, and either would get 8BA rods. I'm in a good spot on this because I have other 59A that have been baked and inspected for backup so there is no total loss but don't want to pass on the very best candidate. The engines from the estate have been dry since '77 and am confident to 3 5/16". Thanks again for the comments: Fred A
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