The Ford Barn

Ronnieroadster · 09-06-2021, 12:46 PM

During my research for another 1BA block which at least to me is a mystery as to why, when and in what they came in. Inspecting a complete original unmolested engine minus heads with the 1BA block casting number.
I discovered a four inch stroke crank the aluminum front timing cover the rear oil drive gear cover being cast not tin and the flywheel has the borg and beck pressure plate bolt pattern. Also the oil pan has the center sump location and the block and pan overall color is a reddish orange . So this of course would be a Merc application but what year and were they also used in Fords as well ?
The additional mystery about the 1BA is why some blocks have all valve seats on the casting surface with no removable seat rings. And others blocks with the same 1BA casting number have seat rings usually only on the exhaust side only.
Now many posters have written how Ford was never one to waste money on unneeded items. Seems to me valve seats as well as the machining needed for the installation was an area of potential waste. So what's the story?
Ronneroadster

09-06-2021, 12:46 PM	#1
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,697	The 1BA block Mystery What's the Story ? During my research for another 1BA block which at least to me is a mystery as to why, when and in what they came in. Inspecting a complete original unmolested engine minus heads with the 1BA block casting number. I discovered a four inch stroke crank the aluminum front timing cover the rear oil drive gear cover being cast not tin and the flywheel has the borg and beck pressure plate bolt pattern. Also the oil pan has the center sump location and the block and pan overall color is a reddish orange . So this of course would be a Merc application but what year and were they also used in Fords as well ? The additional mystery about the 1BA is why some blocks have all valve seats on the casting surface with no removable seat rings. And others blocks with the same 1BA casting number have seat rings usually only on the exhaust side only. Now many posters have written how Ford was never one to waste money on unneeded items. Seems to me valve seats as well as the machining needed for the installation was an area of potential waste. So what's the story? Ronneroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead, Focus and Finish "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 First Ford flathead roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH reset the record in 2024 to 211.830 running to mile four. Top speed 2024 mile five 220.672 exit speed 221.587 Last edited by Ronnieroadster; 09-06-2021 at 12:57 PM.