Ford engine factory break in process

KGS

KGS

Well-known member
I seem to recall a photo and a description of
a process from the thirties or forties that used

large electric motors connected to new engines

to run them in.
Can anyone verify this or have that photo?
Or did I just dream this. Thanks in advance.
Ken
 
SA379_Page_009_Image_0002[1].jpg
 
Yep, that's the process but I also remember another photo with many engines being run in at the same time.
 
Thanks guys! Yes, they are the pics that I remember. Are there any sources that describe the process? I was sure I hadn't dreamed that:D
 
The two photos show two very different run-in procedures. The first photo (coincidentally Job #1 V8 engine at the Ford of Canada East Windsor, Ontario plant in April, 1932) shows the run-in with water being circulated through the engine. The second photo, taken at the Dearborn Engine Plant during the '34 model year, shows the run-in without water being used. Presumably the former method permitted a much longer run-in cycle.
 
If you look close there's a coolant connection at the bottom as part of the front mount, if I remember correctly from what I have read the amperage of the driving motor was monitored, a compression tester was used to check each cylinder, and with the coolant level at near top of neck bubbles were looked for during the compression test, oil pressure was monitored
 
I'm sure I've read about this before, but also remember it from my apprenticeship days. The motors are turned over by an electric motor, this beds everything in, and when the amperage falls below a certain level, they are good to go. If you have one where the amps do not fall, it would be taken off the line for rework.

I served my apprenticeship at Longbridge and remember seeing the A series Mini engines being motored in such a way.

Hot test, where the motors are run under power is a different thing, and wouldn't (probably) be carried out on every motor.

Mart.
 
Just wondering, the engines were most likely filled with oil for the process, was that oil removed and replaced with new oil for delivery.
 
Tim,


That's W.R. Campbell, Ford of Canada President, stamping C18D-1 on April 30,1932 at the Walkerville, Ontario engine plant (a town with many name changes during the period including East Windsor that I used above). Note that the date is 51 days after Henry Ford stamped 18-1 already installed in a chassis. A keen eye will note the differences in the block casting that took place during those 51 days.
 

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Designing the engine, transmission, etc is one thing, but setting up the production facilities had to be quite an undertaking!
 
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