What year engine

[greencom]

Hi all,
I bought a model A engine earlier this year and just recently realized that the serial number has been ground off, it's was done a long time ago judging by the aged appearance of the metal. The guy I bought it from had it only a couple of years so he doesn't know (he said) of the clandestine reason it was done. Are there any obvious differences between the years of production that could help me date this engine? Just ballpark would be good.
Thanks !
Bob

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Look at the oil return pipe on the valve cover. Does the top of the pipe fall about even with the raised horizontal line in the middle of the cover?
Or, is some of the pipe above the line?

 

[Steve Plucker]

If you are trying to ID an engine block, then go to this site:

http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/engineblock/CYLINDER_BLOCK_CHANGE_DESCRIPTION.pdf

Here you will find about 24 different visual (inside and outside) changes in the block itself over the 4 years of Model A production. In some cases you can come real close, in others within a month or two.

So what is your block?

Pluck

 

[greencom]

Tom and Steve,
Thank you both for your replies. Tom, the oil return pipe is all below the center line of the valve cover. Steve, I checked out the engine website, as soon as my shop gets below the boiling point of water I'll start my research. Thanks again guys.

 

[greencom]

OK,
My engine has the heart shaped oil pump base, flat push rod bosses and the three ribs at rear main bearing in the \ l / configuration. This puts the block at 8/23/29 to 3/11/30 or 5/29/30 to 8/6/30. Going from flat to countersunk then back to flat push rod bossescauses dating troubles. I really appreciate all the help guys.
Bob