The Ford Barn

Bob Brown · 11-22-2014, 02:31 PM

having problems installing model a engine. how do you spread the frame? thanks

Big hammer · 11-22-2014, 02:40 PM

Bottle jack and 2x4

Purdy Swoft · 11-22-2014, 03:31 PM

I now use the frame spreader from Brattons . Most model A vendors sell this tool that is made for the job. In the past I used a porta power jack . Before I knew what A porta power was I used an old bumper jack. In nearly all cased the rubber pads are too thick and make a tough job even harder.

700rpm · 11-22-2014, 03:45 PM

A little grease on the mounts helps too.

rocket1 · 11-22-2014, 03:55 PM

If you have a welder and square tubing or heavy walled pipe you can make one in an afternoon,I copied mine from Brattons catalog.I don't know what state you are in but somebody near you might be able to lend it to you,I'm in north Jersey.

zzlegend · 11-22-2014, 03:57 PM

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I made my own, but you might want to buy one like Purdy did.

Drive Shaft Dave · 11-23-2014, 03:12 AM

I only had to spread the frame on a Model A one time, It was a straight frame, but i suspect it was because the rubber mounts were to thick. In any case it didnt take much movement, maybe .060. Brattons says they have the right thickness although i haven't tried them.

Tom Wesenberg · 11-23-2014, 08:06 AM

I've also had to spread the frame only one time, and I used my porta-power for that. This was also with new rubbers in the mounts, which may have been a hair too thick. As Dave said, it didn't take much to make it fit.

Afordman31 · 11-23-2014, 08:32 AM

Is the frame spreader used before the engine is installed to get the frame spread to a mindset or does this stay in place while the engine is being put in? Afordman31

Dave in MN · 11-23-2014, 09:12 AM

Stays in place while the engine is installed.

Purdy Swoft · 11-23-2014, 10:11 AM

I agree with Dave. It also helps to loosen the body mount bolts a little bit at the cowl so you won't have the extra strain of spreading the lower cowl.

daveymc29 · 11-23-2014, 10:53 AM

The frame spreader stays in place over the transmission and as has been said, loosen the cowl mounting bolts a little. I removed only one bolt and had great success in installing a motor mount after the engine was in the car. They are a wonderful tool, easy to use and all the venders have them. A bottle jack and block of wood also works and is more trouble, but cheaper if that is a problem.

Tom Wesenberg · 11-23-2014, 11:48 AM

Some bottle jacks won't work when you are layed flat.

JohnLaVoy · 11-23-2014, 12:27 PM

I think Snyder's is having the correct size rubber pads made now.

Big hammer · 11-23-2014, 02:20 PM

What I did ( had to think long and hard) with trans out,cut 2x4 to length
with jack compressed cut to size.I was able to get a couple of strokes from
jack before it quit working.Bottle jacks will not jack full length laying down.
I did this when I had little $& more time:-) now I have less time and a little
more $

Purdy Swoft · 11-23-2014, 03:15 PM

My wife and daughter gave me a lot of the special model A tools as Christmas and birthday presents over the years. They both knew that model A parts or tools was all that I wanted for gifts .

Hster · 11-23-2014, 06:31 PM

I pulled my motor in to the motor mounts with a pair of turnbuckles bolted to the top hole in the bell housing mounts on one end and hooks on the cross member behind the battery box. Greased the mounts and pulled.
I have pictures but they won't download.

glenn in camino · 11-23-2014, 08:46 PM

A friend with a frame spreader.

11-22-2014, 02:31 PM	#1
Bob Brown Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 18	engine having problems installing model a engine. how do you spread the frame? thanks

11-22-2014, 02:40 PM	#2
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,132	Re: engine Bottle jack and 2x4

11-22-2014, 03:31 PM	#3
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: engine I now use the frame spreader from Brattons . Most model A vendors sell this tool that is made for the job. In the past I used a porta power jack . Before I knew what A porta power was I used an old bumper jack. In nearly all cased the rubber pads are too thick and make a tough job even harder.

11-22-2014, 03:45 PM	#4
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,913	Re: engine A little grease on the mounts helps too. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

11-22-2014, 03:55 PM	#5
rocket1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midland Park,N.J. Posts: 1,108	Re: engine If you have a welder and square tubing or heavy walled pipe you can make one in an afternoon,I copied mine from Brattons catalog.I don't know what state you are in but somebody near you might be able to lend it to you,I'm in north Jersey.

11-23-2014, 03:12 AM	#7
Drive Shaft Dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New hope Minnesota Posts: 742	Re: engine I only had to spread the frame on a Model A one time, It was a straight frame, but i suspect it was because the rubber mounts were to thick. In any case it didnt take much movement, maybe .060. Brattons says they have the right thickness although i haven't tried them.

11-23-2014, 08:06 AM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: engine I've also had to spread the frame only one time, and I used my porta-power for that. This was also with new rubbers in the mounts, which may have been a hair too thick. As Dave said, it didn't take much to make it fit.

11-23-2014, 08:32 AM	#9
Afordman31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 581	Re: engine Is the frame spreader used before the engine is installed to get the frame spread to a mindset or does this stay in place while the engine is being put in? Afordman31

11-23-2014, 09:12 AM	#10
Dave in MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 1,411	Re: engine Stays in place while the engine is installed.

11-23-2014, 10:11 AM	#11
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: engine I agree with Dave. It also helps to loosen the body mount bolts a little bit at the cowl so you won't have the extra strain of spreading the lower cowl.

11-23-2014, 10:53 AM	#12
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,554	Re: engine The frame spreader stays in place over the transmission and as has been said, loosen the cowl mounting bolts a little. I removed only one bolt and had great success in installing a motor mount after the engine was in the car. They are a wonderful tool, easy to use and all the venders have them. A bottle jack and block of wood also works and is more trouble, but cheaper if that is a problem.

11-23-2014, 11:48 AM	#13
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: engine Some bottle jacks won't work when you are layed flat.

11-23-2014, 12:27 PM	#14
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: engine I think Snyder's is having the correct size rubber pads made now.

11-23-2014, 02:20 PM	#15
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,132	Re: engine What I did ( had to think long and hard) with trans out,cut 2x4 to length with jack compressed cut to size.I was able to get a couple of strokes from jack before it quit working.Bottle jacks will not jack full length laying down. I did this when I had little $& more time:-) now I have less time and a little more $

11-23-2014, 03:15 PM	#16
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: engine My wife and daughter gave me a lot of the special model A tools as Christmas and birthday presents over the years. They both knew that model A parts or tools was all that I wanted for gifts .

11-23-2014, 06:31 PM	#17
Hster Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Bainbridge Island WA Posts: 71	Re: engine I pulled my motor in to the motor mounts with a pair of turnbuckles bolted to the top hole in the bell housing mounts on one end and hooks on the cross member behind the battery box. Greased the mounts and pulled. I have pictures but they won't download.

11-23-2014, 08:46 PM	#18
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: engine A friend with a frame spreader.