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Discussion Topic:
38 Ford intake manifold
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Stroker |
12-04-2009 @ 4:03 PM
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I sort of grew up with Dad's 38 wagon, but by the time I was old enough to become a V8 fan, he had changed the motor a couple of times. My brother (7 years older than I) say's Dad ordered it with a "commercial option". He said that it came with a 24-stud motor. The car had a 444 rear-end ratio, and a Columbia OD. My question is: Did this motor have an aluminum intake manifold? Dad used it to pull a two-horse trailer in the mountainous areas of So. Cal, and I am trying to put it back the way it was. I believe the 21-stud had the aluminum manifold, but I'm not sure about the "optional" later 24 stud 221. I have a 38 book on order, but I'd like to hear from the Forum. I currently have a 59A (I think this is motor number 5 or 6). My 59A manifold has a small external leak in the heat-riser and I have several 59A cast iron manifolds that I can replace it with. If it was supposed to have an aluminum manifold to start with, I would probably opt to obtain one.
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ford38v8 |
12-04-2009 @ 4:46 PM
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Stroker, the 24 stud engine was not an option in 1938. It was originally intended to be job # 1, but sales of the 1937 Ford had fallen off, so the 24 stud was not initially introduced as a model year change, but became available as the 21 stud engines were used up, and could have happened at different times in different assembly plants. A cast iron intake manifold would have been available at the dealerships, but there wouldn't have been a reason to change from the stock aluminum manifold. A "commercial option", as you state, would have to be fully documented to avoid a deduction on the Concourse. The differential ratio would have been determined with the ordering of the Columbia, and installed in the Columbia factory. A 4.11 or 4.44 ratio would be normal for a Columbia, I believe.
Alan
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Stroker |
12-04-2009 @ 4:52 PM
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Alan: Fortunately, I still have the original dealer bill of sale, and the car was assembled in Long Beach, CA. I'll see if there is anything that might justify a 24 stud. I do believe that an aluminum manifold is correct. I don't have one, so I will probably put it on a parts wanted post. Thanks!
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trjford8 |
12-04-2009 @ 5:50 PM
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Stroker, according to the 38-39 book the 38 passenger cars had 24 stud motors beginning Dec. 7, 1937.The 21 stud motors were then used as service replacement motors and for industrial use through 10-4-38. The book does state that passengers cars used the aluminum intake manifold.The cast iron manifold was used on trucks, but it could be ordered through the Ford parts and placed on a passenger car. Technically the woodie was considered a commercial vehicle, so I think either manifold could be correct.My information comes from page 4-32 and page 4-37 of the 38-39 book.
This message was edited by trjford8 on 12-4-09 @ 5:52 PM
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ford38v8 |
12-04-2009 @ 11:08 PM
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Tom, with all due respect, I must disagree with your interpretation of the facts found in the 38-39 Book. While it does say that 24 stud engines were of 100% production in December 1937, that only means that no more 21 stud engines were to be cast for car production. In fact, and as also reported in the same book, 21 stud engine/transmission assemblies carried serial numbers up to mid September of 1938. It must be understood that an engine/transmission assembly did not receive a serial number until it passed the engine break-in testing. This could represent quite a delay from casting to serial number. The end result is that 21 and 24 stud engines were mixed in production at the assembly line. Stroker, you don't need to justify your 24 stud engine. A cast iron manifold, however, should have documentation to avoid a Concourse point penalty.
Alan
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trjford8 |
12-05-2009 @ 7:59 AM
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Al, the book does say that the 21 stud motor was produced through 10-4-38. Those motors were used for industrial use and for service replacement(for those early cars 32-37). I don't see anywhere in the book that says they continued to use the 21 stud motors in passenger cars until the supply was used up (wouldn't there have been a factory letter telling the assembly plants to use up the remaining 21 stud motors in the passenger cars?). It simply states that as of 12-7-37 ,the 24 stud motor was 100% of new vehicle production. Many of those 21 stud motors and transmissions that were produced went overseas(England, Australia,etc) or to Canada and would have had a production number when shipped. Many of the NOS 21 stud motors that showed up in the 70's came from Canada and England.
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ford38v8 |
12-05-2009 @ 10:28 AM
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Tom, One very good thing about Gary Mallast as an Author is that he reports what he can verify, and draws no hard & fast conclusions from his research. He maintains this attitude throughout his books, which maddens some, as a definite answer is not to be found, but rather, the reader is left to muddle through the various Ford documents he has reported. In this way, Gary can not be faulted for reporting information since to be found in error. I applaud his self control in this as a researcher, rather than to appoint himself Judge & Jury. It is interesting to have this debate at this late date on the mix of 21/24 stud engines, as I would have thought the issue had long ago been put to bed. Surprisingly though, from his research, it seems that the question remains without resolve. As the serial number of an engine/transmission assembly appears on the transmission only, engines could be swapped without consequence at any time for these past 71+ years, so observations on the Concourse are speculation at best. Below, you will find a listing of pages containing evidence to support both yours and my opinions. When all evidence is taken together, I believe you will agree with my interpretation. Page 4-33 E. Engine 1. Block Page 8-2 B. Engine Numbers 1. 85 H.P. Engine Numbers Page 6-2 B. Canadian variations Not reported in the book, but from assumption, I believe that service replacement engines would not have been mated with transmissions, therefore would have no serial number, nor would other industrial uses for the engine. (This would support the use of the September serial numbers in cars. All numbers authorized for 21 stud engines were assigned but for 3393 engines, the last number used being in September.) Alan
This message was edited by ford38v8 on 12-5-09 @ 10:31 AM
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Stroker |
12-06-2009 @ 6:50 AM
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Thank You! I've enjoyed the discussion, and I believe some of the answers merit being pasted in my new 38-39 Book when it arrives. I agree that Gary leaves some things to our interpretation. What I respect is that he doesn't re-write history or speculate. I also want to specifically thank Alan for giving me more column width to ramble in by bringing the little "dart" in the lower right corner to my attention. Now I just need to find an appropriate aluminum manifold. Thanks Again!
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supereal |
12-06-2009 @ 8:25 AM
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The manifolds are out there. I bought one a couple of years ago at a swap meet to get the carb and linkage. There is no number on it anywhere, but it has a high carb mount, which I assume makes it a 37-39 piece.
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42ford |
12-06-2009 @ 9:59 AM
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Can someone post a pic of the alum manifold? I just might have an extra Thanks Dick
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