Weight of a Model A engine

dean from bozeman

dean from bozeman

Well-known member
Okay, I know that this has been asked on this forum before but I really don't know how to search for previous threads, so I'll ask anew.

Last week I was moving things around in my new shop. (Can't tell you how happy I am to finally say "my new shop"). I had a work bench that needed to be moved. On the top of this bench (has 4X4 legs, 2X4 construction and a 3/4" plywood top) was a Model A engine. Because I am impatient and think that I am half my age (that would make me 34! Oh to be 34 again.), I lifted the engine and put it on the floor. I then moved the bench and lifted the engine back onto the top of the bench. After moving it I thought, what the hell did I just do.

The engine was a block with the crank and cam and valves but no head. My question is, what does a block with a crank, cam and valves weigh? Yes, I am including the valves, keepers, springs and retainers because it all adds up.
 
If my memory serves me right, the weight of a complete Model A engine is about 430 pounds,without the transmission, flywheel, or bellhousing
 
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In the archives (see an old dog can learn new tricks) I found an entry from 1crosscut:

Several times I have seen folks asking what an engine weighs. I've wondered that myself. So today I took an engine to a landscape supply company near me that has a state certified scale.
The engine was fully assembled with manifolds, carburetor, distributor, water pump, fan and flywheel. No oil in the engine.
The weight came to an even 400 lbs.
100 lbs a cylinder.


So I would have to subtract the manifolds, distributor, flywheel, water pump, fan, valve cover, head and carburetor from this 400 pound total.
 
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They use to list the weights of long and short blocks in the model A catalogs . I looked but didn't find them . I know that a bare block weighs about 98 or 99 lbs. I've stacked a few in my parts collection . The crankshaft weighs about 28 lbs . If I can find the weight of a block assembly I will re post . I figure that the short block weighs between 150 and 175 lbs .
 
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About 1980 I picked up a hit and miss engine that must have weighed about 300 pounds. I carried it across the top floor in the barn, and down the steps. My back hurt for a month. Today I wouldn't want to lift a Model A short block by hand to the top of a work table. That's why I bought the cherry picker from H/F for $100.
 
Short Block 207 lbs
Long Block 358 lbs
Running Engine Less Clutch & Transmission 400 lbs
Running Engine With Clutch & Transmission 473 lbs
Flywheel 63 lbs
 
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