Model A cylinder Head

jakesmodela

Junior Member
Hey guys, does anybody recognize the markings on this cylinder Head? I don't, and if its aftermarket I don't really want to put it on my car. Thanks for your help!
 

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I am taking a guess here, but the symbol to the right of the "F1" looks to be "MF" (where the M and F use a common leg of each respective letter). As an antique tractor enthusiast, that says Massey-Ferguson. Their MF symbol used the same technique.

Remember, I am just guessing.
 
Actually I think it is a rare, Ford Model A Formula One head, used in Gran Prix racecars home build for Formula One competition in the war years.

6-21 is actually 6.2-1 compression ratio.

The cars campained successfully until they were discovered to be using illegal muffler bearing.

Sorry...it's Friday afternoon....:D:D:D:D:D:D
 
Actually it is a somewhat rare aftermarket high compression head from "back in the day". The MF stands for "Michigan Foundry" The F1 model had a compression ratio of 5.something and the F2 had a compression ratio of 6.2. They are good heads, but like most "A" heads should be checked for flat. I've been running an F2 for several years with no problems.
 
Thank you for your responses and knowledge!! I will get you other pictures tomorrow as the head is down at my shop. I would be interested in selling it if anybody has an idea on its value. I was planning on having it surfaced, blast, prep, and paint it ford green unless that would be a mistake.
 
Thank you for your responses and knowledge!! I will get you other pictures tomorrow as the head is down at my shop. I would be interested in selling it if anybody has an idea on its value. I was planning on having it surfaced, blast, prep, and paint it ford green unless that would be a mistake.

I think you would be better off selling it "as is". What it is worth depends on what the combustion chambers look like. Also check for cracks and the depth of the relief over the pistons to tell how much it has been milled before. If it is stock my guess would be about $50 "as is".

Charlie Stephens
 
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Here are the pics of the combustion chamber. Any further info you can give me I would greatly appreciate. Thank you!
 

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Hmm. It doesn't seem to be anything special. Maybe the numbering WAS a date code?

Only real way to tell is with a graduated cylinder.

Here's a standard Model A head compared to yours.



Joe K
 

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Here are the pics of the combustion chamber. Any further info you can give me I would greatly appreciate. Thank you!

Hey Jake,
I'm with Joe's evaluation here, in that, it looks about the same comp ratio as a common stock model a head. Probably produce same good sound also ! If no cracks and you are not looking for high comp, I'd flatten it and run it !
 
The head is a stock aftermarket head. Nothing special about it except if you try to use it with oversize intake valves the valve will hit the side of the combustion chamber in the head. To recognize a factory Model A head look on top of the head behind the waterpump and the water outlet for a stylus mark that looks like a small bump which is longer than wide. All factory heads I find have this mark.
 
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