Authorized Ford Rebuilder network

[frnkeore]

I'm looking for info on this network that Ford established. Yesterday, I found a You Tube, by Ford, on the '36 Ford and it said that you could get a complete rebuilt engine for $56.50 at your local dealer, as a incentive to buy Ford. By that, the network was created, before '36.

I would like to know when it was created and how many Authorized Rebuilders Ford had.

My dad, right after WWII, went to work for Meyer and Welch a Authorized Ford Rebuilder, in the City of Commerce in LA Co. Louie Meyer owned the Novi, Indy car at that time and the engine work, on it was done at that location by a friend of my dads.

I've search twice, on line for info on this Ford network. Today and a few months ago and the only other Ford rebuilder that I could find, was Titus, in Tacoma, WA.

Does anyone have any resource on this rebuilder network and when and why, it was established or, when it come to a end?

I do have the "Engine Parts Reconditioning" manual (got it from a very nice forum member), that describes how to set up one of these businesses. It's date is 1943 but, it doesn't say anything about why or when the network was set up.

I think it's is a important part of the V8 story and I think we should know more about it. Those little blue ribbons that you see on those NOS parts, came from those rebuilders. I know, my dad had many of them.

 

[marko39]

That would be very interesting. I have a 39 engine that has a tag that' states " Reconditioned by the Ford Motor Company.

 

[azlkk]

Apparently the wife's uncle had a reconditioned '37 engine installed in what is now our '35 5W Coupe that he bought new in 1935. I believe it was via a dealer installed exchange program, haven't seen any tags.

 

[frnkeore]

I'm going to try to keep this on the first page of the forum, for a while, hopefully with new information from myself and others.

I have a personal interest but, I think it's a very important area of interest for anyone interested in V8 history and where all those little rebuild tags came from.

These pictures are a result of that rebuilding network. I also found this quote, from the same source:

"In the 1920s and 30s, Henry Ford set up small-scale factories throughout southeast Michigan. These "Village Industries" supplied Ford with tools and vehicle parts."

Maybe that is when the "Authorized Rebuilders" started? There first and then nation wide. Also note that in '33 it was $40 installed for a engine but, by '39 installation was extra.

 

[azlkk]

Just found the maintenance plaque from The Universal Motor Co., a Sacramento CA Ford dealer at the time. Listed a new engine in June of 1949.

 

[petehoovie]

 

[frnkeore]

Just found the maintenance plaque from The Universal Motor Co., a Sacramento CA Ford dealer at the time. Listed a new engine in June of 1949.

Thank you, azlkk. I'll see if I can get any info on them.

 

[azlkk]

I did a search and couldn't find anything on them.

Next up is to find out who and when the shocks were changed to tube style and sealed beam headlights added. Everything else is dead stock, including the radio.

 

[rockfla]

This subject would also make a great V8 Times article at some point.

 

[Ol' Ron]

Ford Industrial rebuilders in Patterson MJ is where i visited once. Talked to an old timer there and he said they built allot of engines for Sears. I think they also built engines besides Ford products??

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Next up is to find out who and when the shocks were changed to tube style and sealed beam headlights added. Everything else is dead stock, including the radio.

Ford cars went to tube-type shocks in 1948. First production sealed beam headlights was in 1940. DD

 

[JWL]

AS an aside, the largest Ford Rebuilder I have ever seen was MENDENHALL in St. Louis.

 

[5851a]

There was, not sure might still be in business in Algona Iowa. They painted the rebuilt parts a avocado green. I know the mechanics at a truck shop were happy when the boss would pay the extra to get a Algona Ford rebuild. Bought a pickup once that had a green short block, was from Algona. Had a brass tag on it when I saved engine and junked truck.

 

[Ziggster]

Mentioned this briefly in one of my threads. Pics of the rebuilder plate on mine (C69) from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. There is currently another engine for sale on kijiji that has the same rebuilder plate 8BA (53). The difference between the engine numbers was close to 12,000.

 

[Ziggster]

The other rebuilder plate.

 

[azlkk]

Ford cars went to tube-type shocks in 1948. First production sealed beam headlights was in 1940. DD

That's what I figured. The American wife's uncle had both retrofitted sometime in the past before she inherited the '35 in 1976.

 

[Don Rogers]

Mendenhall started rebuilding engines in 1940. I wonder if the concept of authorized rebuilders started as a way for some dealers to stay profitable during WWII when they didn't have any new cars to sell. I believe Mendenhall still is in the authorized rebuilding business for Ford today. Here's some photos of a rebuilding shop.

 

[Mike/Franklin]

How about this one. Posted this back in 2010 when a thread started about authorized builders.

 

[JSeery]

Here is Mike's tag from above post in the thread:

 

[frnkeore]

Thank you, Mike & JSeery and Don, those are awesome pictures, thank you, very much.

I have found another tag, of of a "H", six. I'm going to compile a list of know Authorized Rebuilders, in about a month. I'm hoping to have most of them by then but, at this late date, who knows if that's possible.

Two things that I'd really like to know, is when it started and when it ended. At this point, I know it started before 1933 and I'm pretty sure it last, through the FH period of 1953.

When I was a mechanic, in the 60's, I didn't work for a Ford dealership but, I don't remember any rebuilding, exchange services at the Ford dealers or any "Authorized Ford Rebuilders" in SoCal. If there was one, I think the shops that I worked in, would have received brochures from them.

As a area of interest, in my research on the company that my dad worked for, I found that both Louis Meyers (3 time Indy winner) and Lew Welch, where proteges of Henry Ford and he set them both up in business. More about that, later.

Thank you to all that have contributed to this! If anyone finds more, I would love to have your input.