Who is forging/casting the Burtz blocks?

Oldbluoval said:
JayJay….
I’d heard same. It scares the heck out of me! What if we had to build up a big war/defense situation like WW II?
I’d hope we’d step up but do we have the resources and abilities?,
Just the basics in the supply chain seem to be problematic with us these days
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Old B - while I might agree with you at the 30,000 foot level, the question at the moment is "how can we source reliably built new engine blocks for our Model A Fords"? Terry's response in this thread I think addresses this issue - he tried domestic, explored several overseas options, and chose what he felt is the best for his customers. If you feel strongly that you should not purchase Asian-manufactured products it is certainly your choice to follow this. However, it's my feeling that the practicalities of today's world necessitate a compromise. As with all things, YMMV, and best wishes.

JayJay
 
rotorwrench said:
Mainland China as a country, has all the same makings as other countries except that is is by far the largest in population. Unfortunately, the people who live there are at the mercy of their own government. So far, they have up and coming entrepreneurs like any developing country and their people are likely mostly decent folks that just want to live like the rest of us. Due to the government over site, they will always have to worry about their own survival. That fear is a way for control just like any other dictatorship.
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India's population is not much behind Chinas and on current trends, will overtake China before very long.
I don't like to say this but IMO, one of the biggest factors holding India back is the fact that they are a democracy. In democracies, when there is a change of government, much of the first term is spent undoing as much of what the previous party did as possible, rendering their time in office pretty much a waste of time for both parties. Then there is another change of government and it all repeats. So much time and effort is wasted while in a country like China, they can make their 5, 10,20,50, even 500 year plans with some degree of certainty Limiting a country's horizon to the next election is doomed to fail unless we can get consensus between the parties. This applies as much here as anywhere.
Is this pessimistic, sure but I don't think it is unreasonable.
 
I worked for a large US Diesel engine manufacturer who has manufactured engines and components for over 30 years in China. If you are willing to pay for quality and set up the necessary processes and expectations you will get quality parts. I am sure that is part of the infrastructure Terry referenced above.

You want cheap consumer parts you can get that too in China. It’s called Chinese junk.
 
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GPierce said:
I worked for a large US Diesel engine manufacturer who has manufactured engines and components for over 30 years in China. If you are willing to pay for quality and set up the necessary processes and expectations you will get quality parts. I am sure that is part of the infrastructure Terry referenced above.

You want cheap consumer parts you can get that too in China. It’s called Chinese junk.
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GPierce,

Thanks for your comments.

The "New Model A Engine" parts may be made in some of the factories that made the diesel engine parts for the company that you worked for.

After working with foundries in the USA that use the same grey iron to pour frying pans, manhole covers, and cylinder blocks, I was so happy to work with the factories in China that specialize in what they do.

The factories in China have engineers that I can talk to through John Lampl, and it is a pleasure to communicate with them on a technical level.

We strive and pay for perfection, and have delivered hundreds of "New Engine Kits".

On social media, there is FordBarn, other forums, and Facebook where people express their experiences with the "New Engine Kit". I monitor these sites to see if there are any factory QA problems, and there have been none.
 
I will always applaud Terry for his persistance and dedication to our hobbie. A few years back I took four blocks to a rebuilder to create a more powerful Model A engine for me. I had looked into the Donavan and gotten a quote real close to 40K. Well my rebuilder turned down two blocks, "lost" one and eventually, six months, I had a running engine with full oiling, bearing shells and a balanced? crank. I got about 6,000 miles out of that engine and a crack developed near the bottom of the stroke on number three cylinder. I now have a "refreshed" engine a 90 year old had put together. It leaks, but not too badly. So Terry would have been by far the best choice if he could have located folk in the USA to build it, I would be driving it now, but it took him years that I didn't have to wait, so now I'll eventually buy one of his engines, if I have another failure,
 
If Henry Ford was a genius, and OK I'm sure he was, then so is Terry Burtz, because getting the design AND and the cost, AND the reliability of an internal combustion engine all in one package, certainly IS genius, and, when you think about it, probably involved a good bit of magic too! TallyHo John B
 
The fact that after delivering hundreds of the new engine kits without complaints says it all. I have to admit that I was a bit unsure about ordering from the first batch. What teething problems will there be? Am I buying trouble? Will later ones have improvements made to them that I will miss out on?
I am delighted to read that there have been no modifications made The only thing is if the accessory components that are available now were about then, I would have bought some but I am happy with what I have. Thanks, Terry.
 
I Beg to differ! "Subject Drift" is a great thing! Conversational diversion is how I've learned so many things. It also relaxes my mind to concentrate on the subject at hand. In the most pleasant and satisfying conversations I've ever had, diversion has always played a big role.
Now back to mod. A s. I had mentioned a new engine that's being produced in China for the Ford N series tractors. It was being marketed through the old Central Tractor Co. in Iowa. They were/are producing a complete running 8N engine, ready to bolt in for around $2800. With a NEW block! The Ford 8N 4 cyl, flathead engine is just an evolution from the A/B engine. My God, Is there anything these Chinese can't do? And I agree about a lot of short - sighted policies that put us into this mess. I guess we should have taught more about gender pronouns in the schools!
Terry
 
It will be interesting to see what comes of Tod's engine projects. So far he has completed prototype model A engine blocks and many cylinder heads. If he can compete in this market then that will show what an entrepreneur can do if he puts his mind and resources into it.

He has produced new reproductions of the Ford 335 series 351C blocks and certain FE blocks with success. He has the model A block in early stages but has some running completed engines in testing with outside sources. He has been slowly getting some pattern work done for an improved 8BA V8 block which, if completed could become a production item that is in a market that has no competition yet and could be a good thing for the hobby.

I applaud Terry Burtz's efforts to get a marketable improved model A design out for sale and he deserves the rewards for that but there may be competition in that field now. I have to applaud both gentlemen for their efforts or there would be no products to purchase at all. I've always felt that anything can be done in our western society with the education level and drive of it's people. It has been done before by the likes of Henry and Edsel Ford and it can be done again if folks with the spirit to do it come along.
 
I have read this thread in anticipation of receiving my new Burtz engine. It's in a truck from Kentucky as we speak. Can't wait...


Frank
 
rotorwrench said:
He has been slowly getting some pattern work done for an improved 8BA V8 block which, if completed could become a production item that is in a market that has no competition yet and could be a good thing for the hobby.
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That would be wonderful. Years ago I heard about someone making new V8 blocks. I have never seen or heard of anyone who actually got one.
 
Terry, my man….
You didn’t fully catch it….I said curse and “a gift”
So not differing with me. I’m a big culprit of doing subject drift. Others get ticked and comment so!
It can be perplexing when all take off on a thread and no one posts an answer to the original post.
 
rotorwrench said:
i

i applaud terry burtz's efforts to get a marketable improved model a design out for sale and he deserves the rewards for that but there may be competition in that field now. I have to applaud both gentlemen for their efforts or there would be no products to purchase at all. I've always felt that anything can be done in our western society with the education level and drive of it's people. It has been done before by the likes of henry and edsel ford and it can be done again if folks with the spirit to do it come along.
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ditto x 100
 
I have the perfect solution for me. I pulled the worn out B engine from my 2 door and installed a flathead Ford V8.
I wouldn't go chink if they were free.
My car still looks stock but it is much more fun to drive.
 
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