Tod,
I am constantly being asked to provide a stronger engine that is ultra reliable and doesn't leak oil yet keeping as close to stock "A" appearance as possible.
I rebuild both A & B engines and find that the stock A block is still readily available and cheap...if you build something close to stock, I would likely not be a customer. I think for your endeavor to be the
most successful, you need to provide what the "A" and the "B" block do not offer. Respectfully to your efforts and the previous posters on this forum I offer the following comments and opinions:
Given the engine build requests I hear, the following is what I could sell for you.
A new improved block with "stock" A appearance at first glance incorporating:
1) Late B crankshaft design (counterweighted) maintaining B size rod journals
2) Machined for inserts...including the cam bores
3) Provision for full oil filtration...possibly supply from the slotted oil pump plug on the side of the engine...through a remotely mounted oil filter hidden in the frame rail and then return to a somewhat hidden spot to feed the mains....even better...exit and re-enter between the valve chamber and the flywheel housing for a "hidden" remote oil filtration system.
4) Better intake port design ...like the B...able to produce more power...include 1.7" intake valve sizing in the base engine design. 1.5" exhaust is good
5) Correct the thin casting areas in the B block port design that made them so prone to cracking between the ports and cylinders
6) Adaptable rear main seal area to accept the very reliable Chevy 350 rear seal (Chevy...I know... blasphemy!) FWI: Dan McEachern makes an adapter to mount the 350 Chevy rear seal to the B block with minor machining...works great!
If you do this...I am on board...I can sell them along with original block re-builds all day long!
Thanks for the opportunity to suggest input.
Dave Gerold
www.fordmodelaengines.com or
www.durableperformance.net