What engines were available in the 1940 Ford Deluxe?
The 1940 Ford Deluxe offered two engines: a 226 cu in inline-six and a 239 cu in flathead V8. The inline-six emphasized economy and smooth operation, while the V8 provided stronger performance for quicker acceleration.
In 1940, Ford’s Deluxe line reflected a balance between affordability and everyday practicality. The choice of powerplant shaped how customers experienced driving, from steady city commuting to highway cruising. The following outlines the two engine options that powered the 1940 Deluxes.
Engine options for the 1940 Ford Deluxe
The Deluxe lineup offered two powerplants, each suited to different driving needs. Here are the engines that powered those cars that year.
- 226 cubic inch inline-six (3.7 L) engine, a traditional Ford flathead six, producing roughly 85 horsepower. This configuration emphasized reliability, ease of maintenance, and economical operation for daily use.
- 239 cubic inch flathead V8 engine (3.9 L), Ford’s enduring V8 option, delivering around 100 horsepower. The V8 provided noticeably better acceleration and highway performance while retaining Ford’s simple, serviceable flathead design.
Both engines were commonly paired with Ford's three-speed manual transmission, with some body styles and options offering variations in gearing or overdrive. The availability of either engine helped define the Deluxe’s performance envelope in 1940.
Technical notes
Displacements
The 1940 Deluxe used two displacements: 226 cu in for the inline-six and 239 cu in for the flathead V8, matching Ford’s traditional engine families of the era.
Performance and market context
During this period, buyers valued a blend of affordability, reliability, and adequate power. The inline-six delivered economical operation and smoothness, while the V8 offered a more robust driving experience for those who needed faster acceleration. The Deluxe badge signified a comfortable trim level with solid performance for its time.
Summary
For the 1940 Ford Deluxe, buyers could choose between a 226 cu in inline-six producing about 85 horsepower and a 239 cu in flathead V8 producing about 100 horsepower. These two options defined the car’s performance and appeal in the final years before wartime production reshaped the automotive landscape.
What engine was in the 1940 Ford?
Redesignated V8-82A in 1938, V8-922A in 1939, and V8-022A in 1940, compression, power, and torque remained unchanged. The engine was very popular as a powerplant for midget race cars after World War II. This engine is most commonly referred to as the "60 horse" flathead, or the V8-60.
What is the difference between a 1940 Ford Deluxe and a Standard?
A number of differences set them apart—the Standard had a grille that looked similar to a '39, the nose of the hood was slightly broader and it lacked the bulges low on the side that blended into the grille that were found on the DeLuxe.
How much horsepower does a 1940 Ford Deluxe coupe have?
85 horsepower
Buyers could choose a 136-ci engine with 60 horsepower and 94 foot-pounds of torque, or a larger 221-ci design with 85 horsepower and an impressive 153 ft-lb of torque. Fords of this generation started with mechanical brakes all around. Ford upgraded to Lockheed hydraulic brakes in 1939.
What engine was in the 1941 Ford Super Deluxe?
The 226 CID L-head straight-six generated a maximum of 90 horsepower, and it was used in the Special. The 221 CID flathead V8Opens a new window engine powered the Super Deluxe. It was also rated at 90 horsepower. Ford's larger 95-horsepower, 239 CID flathead V8 was reserved for the Mercury brand until 1946.
