Ford Early V8 History
In late 1929, Henry Ford, considering the production of his own V8 engine, instructed engineer Fred Thoms to acquire as many available eight-cylinder engines as possible. At that time, most of the eight-cylinder engines were found in high-end automobiles such as LaSalle, Cadillac and, acquired by Ford in 1922, Lincoln. Ford intended to study the design of the engines and use his research to develop a cost effective V8 that could be mass-produced.
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Commercial Vehicles Definitions
Hood Measurements & Typical Panels
1932-48 Passenger Car & 1939-48 Mercury Body & Model Style Numbers By Year
Original 1932-48 Ford Engine Specifications
V8 239 Cubic Inches - Specs & Info
V8 221 Cubic Inches - Specs & Info
Distributor Breaker Point Spacing
MAC's DISCLAIMER:
The content MAC's presents on its "Vehicle Identification & Specification" pages & in its catalogs is for information use only and is intended to be used as a guide. While MAC's makes every effort to ensure accurate content, occasionally errors may occur. MAC's does not take responsibility & will not be held liable for any automotive parts purchases, repairs or restoration decisions made as a result of information presented here or anywhere in its catalogs.
Vehicle Identification
1932 
Model B Ford Passenger Car
4 cylinder engine
(106" wheelbase)
1932
Model 18 Ford Passenger Car
8 cylinder engine
(106" wheelbase)
1933 1 hood handle
Model 40 Ford Passenger Car
8 cylinder engine
(112" wheelbase)
4 cylinder engine
(106" wheelbase)
1934 2 hood handles
Model 40 Ford Passenger Car
8 cylinder & 4 cylinder engine
(112" wheelbase)
1935
Model 48 Ford Passenger Car
8 cylinder engine
(112" wheelbase)
1936
Model 68 Ford Passenger Car
8 cylinder engine
(112" wheelbase)
1937
Model 78 Ford Passenger Car
8 cylinder 85 HP engine
(112" wheelbase)
Model 74 Ford Passenger Car
8 cylinder 60 HP engine
(112" wheelbase)
1938
Model 81A Ford Standard
8 cylinder 85 HP engine
Model 82A Ford
8 cylinder 60 HP engine
1938
Model 81A Ford Deluxe
8 cylinder 85 HP engine
1939
Model 91A Ford Standard
8 cylinder 85 HP engine
Model 922A Ford
8 cylinder 60 HP engine
(112" wheelbase)
1939
Model 91A Ford Deluxe
8 cylinder 85 HP engine
(112" wheelbase)
1940
Model 01A Ford Standard
8 cylinder 85 HP engine
Model 022A Ford
8 cylinder 60 HP engine
1940
Model 01A Ford Deluxe
8 cylinder 85 HP engine
1941
Model 11A Ford Deluxe
8 cylinder 90 HP engine
Model 11A Ford Special
8 cylinder 90 HP engine
Model 1GA Ford Deluxe
6 cylinder 90 HP engine
Model 1GA Ford Special
6 cylinder 90 HP engine
1941
Model 11A Ford Super Deluxe
8 cylinder 90 HP engine
1942
Model 21A Ford Deluxe
8 cylinder 90 HP engine
Model 2GA Ford Deluxe
6 cylinder 90 HP engine
1942
Model 21A Ford Super Deluxe
8 cylinder 90 HP engine
(114" wheelbase)
1946
Model 69A Ford Deluxe
or Super Deluxe
8 cylinder 100 HP engine
Model 6GA Ford Deluxe
or Super Deluxe
6 cylinder 90 HP engine
1947 & 1948
Model 79A Ford Deluxe
or Super Deluxe
8 cylinder 100 HP engine
or Super Deluxe
8 cylinder 100 HP engine
Model 7GA Ford Deluxe
or Super Deluxe
6 cylinder 90 HP engine
or Super Deluxe
6 cylinder 90 HP engine
Model 7HA Ford Deluxe
or Super Deluxe
6 cylinder 95 HP engine
(114" wheelbase)
or Super Deluxe
6 cylinder 95 HP engine
(114" wheelbase)
Model 89A Ford Deluxe
or Super Deluxe
8 cylinder 100 HP engine
or Super Deluxe
8 cylinder 100 HP engine
Model 8HA Ford Deluxe
or Super Deluxe
6 cylinder 95 HP engine
(114" wheelbase)
or Super Deluxe
6 cylinder 95 HP engine
(114" wheelbase)
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1932-48 Passenger Car & 1939-48 Mercury Body
& Model Style Numbers By Year
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1946
1947
1948
85 HP
18
40
40
48
68
78
81A
91A
01A
11A
21A
-
-
-
60 HP
-
-
-
-
-
74
82A
922A
022A
-
-
-
-
-
90 HP
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1GA
2GA
6GA
7GA
-
95 HP
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7HA
8HA
100 HP
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
69A
79A
89A
Body Style
Model Number
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1946
1947
1948
Tudor Standard
55
700
700
700
700
-
700C
70A
70A
*70A
*70A
*70A
*70A
*70A
Tudor Deluxe
55
700
700
700
700
-
700B
70B
70B
*70B
*70B
*70B
*70B
*70B
Tudor Driving Sedan
-
-
-
700
700A
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tudor Driving Sedan Deluxe
-
-
-
-
700
700B
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Tudor Special
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
70C
70C
-
-
-
Roadster Standard
40
710
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Roadster Deluxe
40
710
710
710
710
710
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe Deluxe
520
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe 3 Window Standard
-
720
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe 3 Window Deluxe
-
720
720
720
720
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe Club
-
-
-
-
-
720
720
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe Club Convertiable
-
-
-
-
-
-
760A
76
76
76
76
-
-
-
Coupe 5 Window Standard
45
770
770
770
770
770A
770A
77A
77A
*77A
*77A
*77A
*77A
*77A
Coupe 5 Window Deluxe
-
770
770
770
770
770B
77B
77B
*77B
*77B
*77B
-
-
-
Coupe Sport
50
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe Business Standard
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
67A
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe Business Deluxe
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
67B
-
-
-
-
-
-
Coupe 5 Window Special
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
77C
77C
-
-
-
Coupe 5 Window Deluxe With Jump Seat
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
67A
-
-
-
-
Coupe 5 Window Super Deluxe With Jump Seat
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
67B
-
-
-
-
Coupe Super Deluxe Sedan
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
72
72B
72B
72B
72B
Coupe Deluxe Sedan
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
72A
-
-
-
-
Coupe Sportsman Convertible
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
71B
71B
71B
Fordor Standard
160
730
730
730
730
730A
730C
73A
73A
*73A
*73A
*73A
*73A
-
Fordor Deluxe
160
730
730
730
730
730B
730B
73B
73B
*73B
*73B
*73B
*73B
*73B
Fordor Touring Sedan
-
-
-
730
730
730C
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fordor Touring Sedan Deluxe
-
-
-
730
730
730D
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fordor Special
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
73C
73C
-
-
-
Victoria
190
740
740
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Convertible Sedan
400
-
-
740
740
740
740
74
-
-
-
-
-
-
Phaeton Standard
35
750
750
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Phaeton Deluxe
35
750
750
750
750
750
750
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Cabriolet
68
760
760
760
760
760A
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Club Cabriolet
-
-
-
-
760
760B
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Station Wagon Standard
410
850
850
780
780
780
780A
780
78
78
78
78
-
-
Station Wagon Deluxe
-
-
-
-
780
780
780B
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sedan Delivery Standard
410
850
850
780
780
780
780A
780
78
78
78
78
-
-
Sedan Delivery Deluxe
-
-
-
-
780
780
780B
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
* Beginning in 1941, the line expanded to "Special" (6 cylinder), "Deluxe" (formely Standard)
& "Super Deluxe" (formerly Deluxe)
From 1932-1937 all cars were "Standard" models, although most were offered as "Deluxe" models. Deluxe models had added trim & upholstery options, including cowl lamps & dual tail lights. Starting in 1938, "Standard" & "Deluxe" became separate & distinct lines.
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V8 Clubs & Publications
The Early V8 Club of America
PO Box 1715
Maple Grove, MN 55311
Early Ford V8 Foundation
PO Box 284
Auburn, IN 46706
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Ignition System
Initial Timing (Crankshaft Degrees B.T.C.)
V8 1932-1948
4°
6 cylinder 1941-1942
1°
6 cylinder 1946-1948
0°
4 cylinder Model B
0°
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V8 239 Cubic Inches
Cylinder Block Angle
90°
Bore & Stroke
3-3/16" & 3-3/4"
Taxable HP
32.5
Crankcase Capacity
5 quarts
Valve Stem Style
Mushroom
Valve Seat Angle
45°
Valve Head Diameter
1.51"
Tappet
Non-adjustable
Intake
0.10-0.012"
Exhaust
0.014-0.016"
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V8 221 Cubic Inches
Cylinder Block Angle
90°
Bore & Stroke
3-1/16" & 3-3/4
Taxable HP
30
Crankcase Capacity
5 Quarts
Valve Stem Style
Mushroom
Valve Seat Angle
45°
Valve Head Diameter
1.51"
Tappet
Non-adjustable
Intake
0.10-0.012"
Exhaust
0.014-0.016"
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Distributor Breaker Point Spacing
1932
0.018-0.020"
1933-34
0.012-0.014"
1935-48
0.014-0.016"
Breaking Point Spring Tension
20-24 ounces
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Ignition Total Advance
V8 1932-1933
21-23°
V8 1934-40
15-17°
V8 1941-48
21-24°
6 cylinder
17-19°
4 cylinder, Model B
24°
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1932-36
1937-48
Intake Opens B.T.C.
95°
0°
Intake Closes A.B.C.
54.5°
44°
Exhaust Opens B.B.C
57.5°
48°
Exhaust Closes A.T.C.
6.5°
6°
Valve Lift
0.292"
0.292"
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MAC's DISCLAIMER:
The content MAC's presents on its "Vehicle Identification & Specification" pages & in its catalogs is for information use only and is intended to be used as a guide. While MAC's makes every effort to ensure accurate content, occasionally errors may occur. MAC's does not take responsibility & will not be held liable for any automotive parts purchases, repairs or restoration decisions made as a result of information presented here or anywhere in its catalogs.( Back to Top )