Number on a diamond model a block

B

Brentwood Bob

Well-known member
The number stamped on a diamond Model A block is LB-----, with a star on the right side. Does this look familiar to anyone? The casting of the block has a few rough areas, namely below the water pump on the front of the block, behind the timing gear cover. upper front driver side. I don't know the history on this block. Bob
 
Diamond block were sold after the Model A cars ended. Could have any number stamped by the person/company(s) that bought them.
 
Thanks, when I saw the LB, Long Beach came to mind. Especially with the star on the end. The Head has Ford USA cast near Number 2 cylinder. Very little wear in the head on the stop for the water pump shaft. Thanks, Bob.
 
I remember some posts on the old ford Barn a while back. Any way to access them. I would like to research the Diamond Blocks. Any leads, contacts, Information would help. How does one contact the ford archives? I will start another thread for this. Bob
 
The Diamond A Blocks I've seen over the years here on the West Coast have all been stamped RF**** or LB****. These were new blocks (hard seats in the exhaust) built by Ford. Ford used new B cams in these engines and generally a good A crankshaft.

RF = Richmond Ford (California)

LB = Long Beach Ford (California)

Ron
 
Ron in Quincy said:
The Diamond A Blocks I've seen over the years here on the West Coast have all been stamped RF**** or LB****. These were new blocks (hard seats in the exhaust) built by Ford. Ford used new B cams in these engines and generally a good A crankshaft.

RF = Richmond Ford (California)

LB = Long Beach Ford (California)

Ron
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Mine is an RF, I was informed here that it was a replacment engine built by Richmond Ford. It had everything you mentioned including a balanced crank and reenforced webbing in the rear main(whatever this means) This is what I was told so don't shoot the messenger:)
 
Dusty,

You are correct, it has the additional webbing to rienforce the rear crankshaft mounting. They were in effect a new Ford Engine. A member in our club picked one up here in Quincy; the only thing he did was counterbalance the crankshaft which was an A; it had a new B camshaft which we put in V blocks to check the lift, it had 331 lift on the intakes and 339 on the exhaust. We set the valve clearance at .014 on the intakes and .018 on the exhaust ; he also intalled a new 5.9 Brumfield head. What a strong engine !!!!!

Ron
 
That's the info I am looking for. Thanks I have 3 diamond blocks now. I will look closely at the 2 I have had the longest. Thanks, Bob.
 
Ron in Quincy said:
Dusty,

You are correct, it has the additional webbing to rienforce the rear crankshaft mounting. They were in effect a new Ford Engine. A member in our club picked one up here in Quincy; the only thing he did was counterbalance the crankshaft which was an A; it had a new B camshaft which we put in V blocks to check the lift, it had 331 lift on the intakes and 339 on the exhaust. We set the valve clearance at .014 on the intakes and .018 on the exhaust ; he also intalled a new 5.9 Brumfield head. What a strong engine !!!!!

Ron
Click to expand...

Ron, I have installed the Snyder's head and finally got the timing right, I am amazed and how well this engine performs. It is very quiet and very smooth (for a flat head four:-) I have only had the opportunity to drive 3 other "A"s and this one blows them away as far as smoothness and get up and go.

I have probably jinxed myself for this weekend as I am off with the local "A" club to Amish country in Ohio...I guess I should be lining up an engine rebuilder before I leave:(

Warming her up in WV
dusty
 
checked Plucks and Vince's sites and did not see any additional info on LB and RF numbered engines.....

Does anyone have any additional historical information on the California RF and LB serial number blocks?

If I have it right. these diamond blocks were assembled with different parts than a replacement diamond engine. How were they distributed? I have one that came our of a 29 ford, said to be an original engine but the date stamping indicates it's a 1935 engine ?????

is there any additional info I have missed?
 
Bob The archives from the old barn are gone forever as far as being in a useful condition. That is a long ways from what we were promised, but just the way it is. The search engine here only likes single words to search. Use the advanced search, type in diamond and look in the Model A Form. Looks like there is plently to look at. I will see if I can get the link to post below, but no gaurantees if it will. Rod
 
Guys I have a diamond block with the tag on rt. side "J306". It also has 2689012 on boss on drivers side stamped. What does this sound like it may be? A "Oct. 30 1936" engine? Does this have hardened seats in it does it have more webbing in the bottom end? What camshaft would it have had in it. Why is it stamped now with the 2689012.What do you know about what this engine may have been originally. The motor has a "B" head on it with 3 hole water pump.
 
robert shreveport said:
Guys I have a diamond block with the tag on rt. side "J306". It also has 2689012 on boss on drivers side stamped. What does this sound like it may be? A "Oct. 30 1936" engine? Does this have hardened seats in it does it have more webbing in the bottom end? What camshaft would it have had in it. Why is it stamped now with the 2689012.What do you know about what this engine may have been originally. The motor has a "B" head on it with 3 hole water pump.
Click to expand...

Would my motor be considered a "B" motor
 
I have a 1935 diamond block with the engine pad stamped DMV******. It also has a welded up crack in the exact same spot as shown on Vince Falter's picture, from the pad through the water inlet.
 
Any information on how many diamond blocks were produced?

Many have been a gaggle though, presumably many must have been reshaped into war machinery durring WWII.
 
The diamond is a foundry mark, also found on Columbia rear-end parts. I always thought it to be an independent foundry but have no proof of this.
 
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