model a engine? what is it?

splicr30

splicr30

Junior Member
I recently picked up a 1931 model a 2 door sedan.it has a leaky water pumps I order the gasket for it. when I received a gasket I noticed that it was all 4 bolt hole gasket my water pump is a 3 bolt hole . so I've been doing some research to see if I can figure out what kind of engine I have. there is no serial number stamped on the side of the engine or you just can't read it. is it possible its:mad:b motor? how do I figure this out and what do I look for? I currently have the hat off to replace a head gasket as well. and I had does have a casting letter c on it.
 
More than likely you have a Ford Model B engine installed or at least a B cylinder head. Gar Williams
 
The fuel pump pad is on the skirt of the right side of the block casting, ahead of the carb. Gar Williams
 
This is the B engine with the three bolt water pump. True B engines had a place to mount a fuel pump at the lower front end on the passenger side. You can see the shiny silver thing in the second picture.

You may have an A engine with a B head and water pump.

This is a B engine.

564779_587379455239_53802059_31450089_692283357_n.jpg


317897_587379480189_53802059_31450091_1837584706_n.jpg
 
Its doesnt have a fuel pump but has the place for one.did come this way or did someone replace the original engine with b engine? And of the b engine a better engine?
 
If there is no serial number it is probably a B engine (although a few replacement Model A blocks were not numbered). As stated before check for the provision for a fuel pump on the right front of the engine to confirm it is a B engine. You need to use a B head gasket with a B head (they have a C cast into them). B heads are sometimes used on A engines. How about some pictures? Note that the reference to B heads refers to the 1932-34 4 cylinder head that had a cast in C.

Charlie Stephens
 
Nice looking "B" engine in the pics. I am curious about the air filter . Any info on it would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
Duffy1 said:
Nice looking "B" engine in the pics. I am curious about the air filter . Any info on it would be appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...

It looks like a stock 1932-34 air filter. The early ones had a cast aluminum neck (that usually broke when overtightened) and the later ones had a stamped steel neck (the one shown looks like the later one). They weren't much of a filter but kept out rocks and birds. There was also an oil bath filter available (about 3 versions) that can be seen in "The 1932 Ford Book" or the Service Bulletins.

Charlie Stephens
 
The B engines dont have s serial # stamped on the block,instead it was stamped on the upper F-W hsg which is replaced with the A hsg when it is mated with the A trans.I prefer the B engine in a driver that will see a lot of use as it is 50 HP @ 2800 rpm VS 40 HP @2200 rpm of the A.The B also has mild pressure to main & cam brgs & main & rod brgs 3/8" larger than A brgs.From Dec 32 onwards the cranks were counter balanced for smoother operation.
 
splicr30 said:
Its doesnt have a fuel pump but has the place for one.did come this way or did someone replace the original engine with b engine? And of the b engine a better engine?
Click to expand...

The B engine has larger main and rod bearings, so it's stronger there and if the crank has counterweights (late B engines) that's another big plus for longer babbit life.

The B engine has 50 H.P. vs the Model A's 40 H.P.
 
splicr30 said:
Its doesnt have a fuel pump but has the place for one.did come this way or did someone replace the original engine with b engine? And of the b engine a better engine?
Click to expand...

most guys would be tickled silly to have discovered a B engine in their car. If its in an A, its a replacement. Don't worry, be happy.
 
Charlie ;
Would the oil bath version work on a Model "A" Zenith carb.How do you mount it ? Do they filter the air better than the dry filters you see on a lot of A`s ? I am looking into putting an air filter on my 31 sw.

Thanks
 
Duffy1 said:
Charlie ;
Would the oil bath version work on a Model "A" Zenith carb.How do you mount it ? Do they filter the air better than the dry filters you see on a lot of A`s ? I am looking into putting an air filter on my 31 sw.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Zenith carbs from 28-31 are not designed for air filters. If you put one on you will experience an overloading situation. I know many use them but the design does not lend itself to filters.
 
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Duffy1 said:
Charlie ;
Would the oil bath version work on a Model "A" Zenith carb.How do you mount it ? Do they filter the air better than the dry filters you see on a lot of A`s ? I am looking into putting an air filter on my 31 sw.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Here is a picture of the oil bath air filter designed by Ford for the 1932 4 cylinder. This unit mounted on top of the cylinder head using 3 head bolts (holes for two of the bolts are visible). There were two holes for the spark plugs to go through (also visible). I don't have a picture of the sheet metal tube that extended down to the carb. The tube was connected to the main body of the air filter with a rubber hose and clamps and went down vertically to the level of the carb throat where it made two 90 degree bends before being attached to the carb neck with a rubber hose and clamps. There is also a version of basically the same unit that attaches to the firewall. The whole thing is probably more cumbersome than you had in mind but could probably be made to fit. Pay attention to the comments from James Rogers about air filters. What he says is well documented in the archives. My advice would be to forget the air filter unless you are going to spend a lot of time in a very dusty area.
Charlie Stephens
 

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