The Ford Barn

Elcastor · 05-31-2011, 09:03 PM

It looks like I messed up the original post #1 by typing my update here. The original question was if my engine number RFxxxx had any special meaning. See post #12 for my update.

Ron in Quincy · 05-31-2011, 10:30 PM

Blocks stamped RF**** indicates a new block engine built by Richmond Ford; check just above side timing cover on the block for a small diamond; if so, will have hard seats, possible a new B-C camshaft when built, using a new block. The same usual condition exists with engine stamped LB****, these engines were built by Long Beach Ford.

Ron

Ron

Elcastor · 06-01-2011, 08:05 AM

There is no apparent diamond (my other engine is a "diamond" so I do know what to look for). So with no diamond, does that mean that is was still made by Richmond Ford, but not built to the better diamond standards?

Marco Tahtaras · 06-01-2011, 09:12 AM

If the number boss has any signs of being ground smooth then it's restamp. If it still shows a natural texture "as cast" then it's the first stamping of that block whatever the source.

Peter J · 06-01-2011, 09:19 AM

Marco,
A diamond block is always referred to as having "hardened seats" however, my B Diamond block doesn't seem to have them. Should you visually be able to tell?
Pete

Elcastor · 06-01-2011, 09:22 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

If the number boss has any signs of being ground smooth then it's restamp. If it still shows a natural texture "as cast" then it's the first stamping of that block whatever the source.

It appears to be ground and re-stamped. So I am still wondering if the number has any significant meaning?

CarlG · 06-01-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter J

Marco,
A diamond block is always referred to as having "hardened seats" however, my B Diamond block doesn't seem to have them. Should you visually be able to tell?
Pete

Same here!

Marco Tahtaras · 06-01-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elcastor

It appears to be ground and re-stamped. So I am still wondering if the number has any significant meaning?

I personally don't have any idea what it indicates. What Ron offered may be applicable but I don't have specific knowledge in this area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter J

Marco,
A diamond block is always referred to as having "hardened seats" however, my B Diamond block doesn't seem to have them. Should you visually be able to tell?
Pete

I have one of each. My NOS diamond block has no hardened seats. It's likely related to WHEN it was cast (?)

Peter J · 06-01-2011, 10:21 AM

The casting date on mine (in front of the fuel pump hole) is Apr. of 36.

Bruce Lancaster · 06-01-2011, 10:22 AM

I agree on the "when"...I suspect they added hard seats when the V8 in normal vehicle production got them. Mid-1930's, but do not have more detailed information. Everything I have in V8 is '32 or '48.

Modelacoupe3 · 06-01-2011, 10:38 AM

About 12 years ago I had an all original, 1 owner 1930 Tudor Sedan (67,000 original miles). The engine had apparently been replaced at some time. The engine number boss had been machined smooth and restamped. The new number was very close to yours. It started with "RF" followed by 4 numbers (I think 2590). Below the new number was was the date (sometime in 1954) followed by the letters "LB".
Curiosity got the best of me, so I removed the head to investigate futher. What I found was, the engine had been sleeved to standard, the pistons and the valves all had the "FORD" script on them. I don't recall if it had hard valve seats. If my memory is correct, it was not a diamond block.
The car had resided in Los Angeles California since 1937. I was told by some of the local long time Model A guys, the engine was a remanufacted engine from the Long Beach Ford plant. I was also told the "RF" meant Remanufactured Ford and the "LB" stood for Long Beach.

Elcastor · 05-29-2014, 08:32 AM

As Ron in Quincy suggested in the #2 post, I do believe he is right. Yesterday I, and a friend, removed the engine and tore it down to rebuild it. A couple things found that would indicate that it was built by Richmond Ford were that the pistons all have the Ford script. Also, the timing gear has the Ford script. There could be more things, but those were the first items that I noticed without looking very hard. I just thought that some of you might like to know.

06-01-2011, 08:05 AM	#3
Elcastor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon and Baja Mexico Posts: 617	Re: Engine Number There is no apparent diamond (my other engine is a "diamond" so I do know what to look for). So with no diamond, does that mean that is was still made by Richmond Ford, but not built to the better diamond standards? __________________ Ben Purkey Mexico and the Pacific NW http://www.martin-parry.com/

06-01-2011, 09:12 AM	#4
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Engine Number If the number boss has any signs of being ground smooth then it's restamp. If it still shows a natural texture "as cast" then it's the first stamping of that block whatever the source. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

06-01-2011, 09:19 AM	#5
Peter J Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 691	Re: Engine Number Marco, A diamond block is always referred to as having "hardened seats" however, my B Diamond block doesn't seem to have them. Should you visually be able to tell? Pete

06-01-2011, 10:22 AM	#10
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: Engine Number I agree on the "when"...I suspect they added hard seats when the V8 in normal vehicle production got them. Mid-1930's, but do not have more detailed information. Everything I have in V8 is '32 or '48.

06-01-2011, 10:38 AM	#11
Modelacoupe3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Lomita, California Posts: 104	Re: Engine Number About 12 years ago I had an all original, 1 owner 1930 Tudor Sedan (67,000 original miles). The engine had apparently been replaced at some time. The engine number boss had been machined smooth and restamped. The new number was very close to yours. It started with "RF" followed by 4 numbers (I think 2590). Below the new number was was the date (sometime in 1954) followed by the letters "LB". Curiosity got the best of me, so I removed the head to investigate futher. What I found was, the engine had been sleeved to standard, the pistons and the valves all had the "FORD" script on them. I don't recall if it had hard valve seats. If my memory is correct, it was not a diamond block. The car had resided in Los Angeles California since 1937. I was told by some of the local long time Model A guys, the engine was a remanufacted engine from the Long Beach Ford plant. I was also told the "RF" meant Remanufactured Ford and the "LB" stood for Long Beach.

05-31-2011, 09:03 PM	#1
Elcastor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon and Baja Mexico Posts: 617	Engine Number - UPDATED - See Post #12 It looks like I messed up the original post #1 by typing my update here. The original question was if my engine number RFxxxx had any special meaning. See post #12 for my update. __________________ Ben Purkey Mexico and the Pacific NW http://www.martin-parry.com/ Last edited by Elcastor; 05-29-2014 at 08:35 AM.

05-31-2011, 10:30 PM	#2
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Engine Number Blocks stamped RF** indicates a new block engine built by Richmond Ford; check just above side timing cover on the block for a small diamond; if so, will have hard seats, possible a new B-C camshaft when built, using a new block. The same usual condition exists with engine stamped LB**, these engines were built by Long Beach Ford. Ron Ron

05-29-2014, 08:32 AM	#12
Elcastor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon and Baja Mexico Posts: 617	Re: Engine Number As Ron in Quincy suggested in the #2 post, I do believe he is right. Yesterday I, and a friend, removed the engine and tore it down to rebuild it. A couple things found that would indicate that it was built by Richmond Ford were that the pistons all have the Ford script. Also, the timing gear has the Ford script. There could be more things, but those were the first items that I noticed without looking very hard. I just thought that some of you might like to know. __________________ Ben Purkey Mexico and the Pacific NW http://www.martin-parry.com/