I need a Project

Terry Burtz said:
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and comments.

To manufacture a new part, it must have a positive ROI (Return on Investment). The parts we manufacture have positive ROIs because they appear original, have hidden features to correct design shortcomings, and there is a high demand.

Many of the suggested parts (synchromesh transmission, intake manifold for Model B carburetor, F100 steering gears, higher 2nd transmission gear, larger carburetor, and vibration dampers) are already in production by others.

Some parts (automatic transmissions, overdrive transmissions) would be too large to fit into housings and maintain a stock appearance.

Other parts (two-up and two-down crankshafts and camshafts) will never have a positive ROI.

I have to wonder about the cast-iron high-compression head for a Model T. I see the aluminum ones in Lang's and Snyder's catalogs, but I wonder why they don't offer a cast-iron head.

Some parts (Model T and V-8 cylinder blocks) would take too much of my time and would be too expensive to have me direct other engineers.

I have no interest in copying a stock Model A cylinder block because, other than better material, it would have the same shortcomings as an original cylinder block. Original, Burlington, and Scat crankshafts all will have a fatigue failure at the #4 connecting rod journal before a cylinder block failure. The New Engine patterns for the cope and drag, and core boxes for the water jacket, and the exhaust ports could be used to save money. All other cores would require new core boxes. There would be no ROI because it would take too much of my time and would be too expensive to have me direct other engineers.

In response to the poster who wants me to change the design of the new cylinder block to relocate main bearing studs 1 and 3 and eliminate oil leaks. The stud locations cannot be changed because they are in the same place as the original studs, and the only way to machine the seat for the castellated nuts is back-spot facing. Every potential oil leak path is discussed in the Builder's Guide.

Egge pistons are often "out of stock" because they are unable to make them fast enough to keep up with demand. I have a piston design that is lighter and stronger than the Egge design. Lighter reduces connecting rod stress, and makes the engine more responsive. Stronger allows higher RPM. If we can produce pistons for a competitive price, we will offer them.

I congratulate Arnold for making a ceramic/carbon seal water pump, but I don't like that it doesn't look like original. The water pump I designed will look like an original Model A water pump, and I have sent step files to my son Jesse for 3-D printing.

The following pictures show details of the new printed piston.
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Excellent design logic IMHO. All of the products I have purchased from you are well thought out and high quality. I am in the middle of build #2 and anticipate a 3rd build. If these pistons were available right now, I'd buy them.
 
A model B engine block and crank would not have those weaknesses, since Ford increased the journal diameters that were somewhat iffy in the A.
I wish there were more usable B blocks around.
Thank you for all you have already done.
 
We are told that MG shock absorbers work well on Model As (I acknowledge they probably don't look original). How about reproducing those. You would end up with 2 markets, the MG guys and Model A guys. I also wouldn't be surprised if enthusiasts of other makes also start using them.
Original appearance does not bother me. I drive my cars.
 
How about a new line of windshield wiper motors, vacuum or electric, 6 & 12 volt. The slant window 31s require a special one to enable opening the window. The few scarce options now available are on ebay at through the roof prices.
 
goodcar said:
How about a new line of windshield wiper motors, vacuum or electric, 6 & 12 volt. The slant window 31s require a special one to enable opening the window. The few scarce options now available are on ebay at through the roof prices.
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RainX rules...
 
Jim/GA said:
Terry, please look into building a New Model A Steering Gear Box that is patterned off of the F-100 box with the rolling sector gear element, or it could be the "recirculating ball" design used in the 1950s.
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Randy Gross is already making them. All new castings and parts.
 
Honestly thinking the wiper idea was great, or making a replacement electric 6 volt motor/wiper..you can't find anything 6 volt or vacuum units are non existent.
 
Colorado kid said:
Honestly thinking the wiper idea was great, or making a replacement electric 6 volt motor/wiper..you can't find anything 6 volt or vacuum units are non existent.
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Au contraire, vacuum units are out there in abundance. Not new, but rebuildable, and folks that can rebuild them if you can't. Now electric, not so much. I have an original electric unit that the mechanics are fine but the motor is shot, haven't found anyone that can help me get it running, much less convert to 12V.
 
Synchro909 said:
We are told that MG shock absorbers work well on Model As (I acknowledge they probably don't look original). How about reproducing those. You would end up with 2 markets, the MG guys and Model A guys. I also wouldn't be surprised if enthusiasts of other makes also start using them.
Original appearance does not bother me. I drive my cars.
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They are Anderson shocks. Used on many British cars. Easily found on eBay. Heat the arm to bend it and weld on one of the balls that are available through Snyder's ETC. Bolt pattern is the same as an A so they bolt on.
 
JayJay said:
Au contraire, vacuum units are out there in abundance. Not new, but rebuildable, and folks that can rebuild them if you can't. Now electric, not so much. I have an original electric unit that the mechanics are fine but the motor is shot, haven't found anyone that can help me get it running, much less convert to 12V.
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There is not an abundance of rebuildables for the slant window models. NOS prices are through the roof.
 
goodcar said:
There is not an abundance of rebuildables for the slant window models. NOS prices are through the roof.
Click to expand...

Doesn't that sort of point to the problem, though? There were 8 different models of Trico vacuum wiper installed as original equipment. Why go to the trouble of reproducing them if a big segment of your market will reject the product as not correct for their car?
 
With many different versions of the Model A, many of them have parts that are unique to each version. In some versions unique parts are readily available, others are not. Wiper motors are a good example. I understand and agree that there needs to be a decent return on investment to produce a product but I'm just making a suggestion. Who knows, maybe someone has a solution to the problem. TMC Technologies Corp makes a line of very nice line of 6 and 12 volt electric wiper motors available for various autos including the Model A. Unfortunately, not one for swing out windshields. These have a sweep sweep angle of 90 or 110 degrees and not 180 to enable opening the windshield. Maybe someone smarter than me would know how to
modify one of these to 180.
 
Sorry, late to the party.

Seconds to:
- ‘Terry Burtz, Calif’ - water pump that utilizes a carbon/ceramic seal, similar to those found in modern pumps. The water pump will have the exterior appearance of an original water pump.

- ‘Bruce of MN’ - It would be nice to get more details! RE: Randy Gross is already making them. All new castings and parts. (Steering Boxes)
 
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