Ford engine factory break in process
 

I seem to recall a photo and a description of
a process from the thirties or forties that used

large electric motors connected to new engines

to run them in.
Can anyone verify this or have that photo?
Or did I just dream this. Thanks in advance.
Ken

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Yep, that's the process but I also remember another photo with many engines being run in at the same time.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Like this one?

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

That's the one.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=41933

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Thanks guys! Yes, they are the pics that I remember. Are there any sources that describe the process? I was sure I hadn't dreamed that:D

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

The two photos show two very different run-in procedures. The first photo (coincidentally Job #1 V8 engine at the Ford of Canada East Windsor, Ontario plant in April, 1932) shows the run-in with water being circulated through the engine. The second photo, taken at the Dearborn Engine Plant during the '34 model year, shows the run-in without water being used. Presumably the former method permitted a much longer run-in cycle.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Did Ford do that for each engine or just a sampling?

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Interesting. Curious what he is hammering in the back?

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Obviously not a plant worker but most likely an official stamping serial number commemorating build #1 as stated above.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Ah, right. Makes sense.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

If you look close there's a coolant connection at the bottom as part of the front mount, if I remember correctly from what I have read the amperage of the driving motor was monitored, a compression tester was used to check each cylinder, and with the coolant level at near top of neck bubbles were looked for during the compression test, oil pressure was monitored

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Just turning over not running. No distributors. G.M.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Looks like their are no spark plugs installed in the second run in photo.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

I'm sure I've read about this before, but also remember it from my apprenticeship days. The motors are turned over by an electric motor, this beds everything in, and when the amperage falls below a certain level, they are good to go. If you have one where the amps do not fall, it would be taken off the line for rework.

I served my apprenticeship at Longbridge and remember seeing the A series Mini engines being motored in such a way.

Hot test, where the motors are run under power is a different thing, and wouldn't (probably) be carried out on every motor.

Mart.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Just wondering, the engines were most likely filled with oil for the process, was that oil removed and replaced with new oil for delivery.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Tim,


That's W.R. Campbell, Ford of Canada President, stamping C18D-1 on April 30,1932 at the Walkerville, Ontario engine plant (a town with many name changes during the period including East Windsor that I used above). Note that the date is 51 days after Henry Ford stamped 18-1 already installed in a chassis. A keen eye will note the differences in the block casting that took place during those 51 days.

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

Designing the engine, transmission, etc is one thing, but setting up the production facilities had to be quite an undertaking!

Re: Ford engine factory break in process
 

That is Wallace Campbell, head of Ford Canada , stamping the serial number. He was a personal friend of Edsel Ford.