Model A and model AA engine differences
- Thread starter Hipopinto
- Start date
Joe K
Well-known member
The normal progression was the engine was manufactured. When the engine was installed, the number was "transferred" to the frame.
A good discussion occurs at my mentor Vince Falter's site. Maybe EVERYTHING you ever need to know, and a bunch more besides.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm
Joe K
A good discussion occurs at my mentor Vince Falter's site. Maybe EVERYTHING you ever need to know, and a bunch more besides.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm
Joe K
Bob Bidonde
Well-known member
Chuck Sea/Tac
Well-known member
A modification to grain trucks,ect., was replacing the oil tube , or modifying it, with a check ball in the lower end. The trucks were lifted up by the front to unload with gravity.
SB pg306. This kept the oil from back flowing thru the bearing into the clutch housing. I have at least one of those tubes.
SB pg306. This kept the oil from back flowing thru the bearing into the clutch housing. I have at least one of those tubes.
Ray in La Mesa
Well-known member
I've got a couple too.
Joe K
Well-known member
The Model A "diamond block" is sort of in line with the AA truck engines.
Diamond blocks are characterized by a small cast in "diamond" near the valve gear cover, and are engines which were made "post Model A era" for industrial uses.
Vince Falter covers this extensively and not necessarily complementary...
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/diamondblock.htm
Think combines, stationary power plants, welders, air compressors.
Considered by some to be "improved" over the Model A engine, my experience is they're about the same - and not necessarily worth paying "extra" for.
They can be found without numbering in the number pad which MAY give them value to someone attempting to "match" frame numbers. But the number pad of most any engine can be "ground down" at least once to remove the previous markings, and re-numbered to one's heart content.
The Model B engine can fall into this same category - but B engines can have their own special failings, including valve seat/deck cracks, and issues with the heads.
If you want bulletproof, there is always Burtz - but given time even these will be found to have "weaknesses."
Joe K
Diamond blocks are characterized by a small cast in "diamond" near the valve gear cover, and are engines which were made "post Model A era" for industrial uses.
Vince Falter covers this extensively and not necessarily complementary...
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/diamondblock.htm
Think combines, stationary power plants, welders, air compressors.
Considered by some to be "improved" over the Model A engine, my experience is they're about the same - and not necessarily worth paying "extra" for.
They can be found without numbering in the number pad which MAY give them value to someone attempting to "match" frame numbers. But the number pad of most any engine can be "ground down" at least once to remove the previous markings, and re-numbered to one's heart content.
The Model B engine can fall into this same category - but B engines can have their own special failings, including valve seat/deck cracks, and issues with the heads.
If you want bulletproof, there is always Burtz - but given time even these will be found to have "weaknesses."
Joe K
Last edited:
rotorwrench
Well-known member
The diamond blocks were cast by a subcontractor after regular production stopped on the A line. Ford still built up new engines as industrial powerplants till around 1941.
The transmission changed for the 4-speed in October of 1929 so this required the AA clutch housing change as well. Otherwise there wasn't much difference.
The transmission changed for the 4-speed in October of 1929 so this required the AA clutch housing change as well. Otherwise there wasn't much difference.