Late 1931 Model A

dsr_54

New member
I am looking at buying a 1931 Model A coupe. I was told it was a Late 31. Did they change amything? I was also told it was a model B. I thought the model B was the 4 cly they started using in 32. I tried searching and came up empty. Is the current owner blowing smoke or is it something special ?

Tommy
 
Late 31 can mean something, depending on the body. On a coupe, it would mean a large teardrop shaped indent in the firewall where the gas spigot comes from the tank, and the valve in the engine compartment. If it were a factory deluxe model, it would have cowl lamps, a dome lamp, and perhaps a roll down rear window. A model B was a 32, and is not the same as a late 31. It is either one or the other.
 
It could be a 31 model A with a model B engine. This is a popular modification that gives 10 to 12 more horsepower and a lot more with one of the high compression heads that are available. Lots of people wouldn't notice that it wasn't stock.
 
The model B was the 4 cylinder cars starting in 32. The only designation that a coupe is a late 31 is the tear drop indent on the firewall and the gas shutoff valve under the hood. This car also had a small cast iron sediment bowl attached to the carburetor
 
On a coupe, it would mean a large teardrop shaped indent in the firewall where the gas spigot comes from the tank, and the valve in the engine compartment.

I think it's all late '31 passenger vehicles would have the indented fire wall. (Cross over May 1931?)
 
If it is a Model B (1932) coupe the gas tank will be in the rear of the car. The Model A gas tank is in the front behind the instrument panel.

Charlie Stephens
 
Here is a picture of my late '31 Firewall. Note incorrect carb. I also used an inline electric fuel shutoff. The shutoff is great for a late 31, don't have to open the hood to close fuel line at the end of the day.
 

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Jeff P. / MN : mounted mine same place only upside down from yours, ran wires thru orig type loom, mine's a late 31 also w/incorrect carb.
Paul in CT
 
Late 31 coupe with a B motor? Find out if it also has the later, part synchro "B" transmission. That would make for a nice driver. The 31 coupes had much less wood body framework than earlier coupes. That's good if you are planning to eventually do a total on it.
 
Also if it is an A engine with a B head, the B head has a different style water pump. The A uses four studs for attachment and the B uses three bolts.
 
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