Cracked Head

J

jack wingard

Senior Member
model a head.jpg

Looking to purchase. Owner states this just happened but I don't think so. Couldn't see any other obvious cracks in the block. Is it possible this is the only one. Yes the engine does run
 
Yes, that is a cracked head. It appears that the engine has been dormant for awhile, with the light rusting on the plugs, the head gasket area and around the crack. Stock heads, used are quite inexpensive and not all that hard to install. A used head can be purchased for $50.00 or less.
 
I would be concerned about a block crack but you won't really know until the head comes off. It depends how the crack was caused, if water froze inside or not.
 
Also consider upgrading to a 6:1 head, since you're taking the head off anyway. Best performance upgrade for the Model A, dollar for dollar.
 
jack wingard said:
Owner states "Snyders" told him run straight water. Just makes me wonder what kind of bull he can come up with.
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Straight water with soluble oil is what I use but it should be drained in the winter if there will be freezing temps. Antifreeze tends to seep and leak and can cause real problems.
 
I have used antifreeze in all of my cars for 58 years ... old one, Model As and modern ... 700,000 miles

NEVER had any problems caused by the antifreeze NEVER.


Never had one freeze either!


Drive them year round here...


FYI


The head is not the only part damaged.


Many times the roof of the valve chamber is cracked or broken out.


This is not a cheap simple fix .. It is a $3500 or $4500 cost ... just saying.


All of this to save a couple of gallons of antifreeze!
 
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There are thousands and thousands of people who have replaced their standard head with a high compression one. Each time that is done, a (usually) decent standard one is removed. I can't see them being anything but cheap and plentiful. I have at least 2 in my shed.
 
I would price that engine at what the parts would be worth less the block and head. Very possibly the block is ruined if head froze.
 
Its not too difficult to check it out to see if there are more cracks. I had a Model T that had a similar head crack when I got it, nothing else was damaged.
 
Re the head gasket area and around the crack.
That area along the head and block looks to be copper-coat not rust.
 
That’s a very nasty crack in the head, it was probably quite frozen.
I would look long and hard all the way around the water jacket in the block, front sides and back, look up along the bottom of the water jacket all the way around.
 
NEVER had any problems caused by the antifreeze NEVER.


can show you a pair of 1937 aluminum Cord heads that rotted from the inside out, due to antifreeze...............................


I just replaced a bad head on an A I bought. rest of engine is fine. huge chunk of top of head missing, due to no antifreeze.
 
"I have used antifreeze in all of my cars for 58 years ... old one, Model As and modern ... 700,000 miles. NEVER had any problems caused by the antifreeze NEVER. Never had one freeze either!"



AMEN !
 
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