The Ford Barn

Brentwood Bob · 08-08-2010, 12:40 AM

The number stamped on a diamond Model A block is LB-----, with a star on the right side. Does this look familiar to anyone? The casting of the block has a few rough areas, namely below the water pump on the front of the block, behind the timing gear cover. upper front driver side. I don't know the history on this block. Bob

Mike V. Florida · 08-08-2010, 02:11 AM

Diamond block were sold after the Model A cars ended. Could have any number stamped by the person/company(s) that bought them.

Brentwood Bob · 08-10-2010, 02:58 AM

Thanks, when I saw the LB, Long Beach came to mind. Especially with the star on the end. The Head has Ford USA cast near Number 2 cylinder. Very little wear in the head on the stop for the water pump shaft. Thanks, Bob.

Brentwood Bob · 08-11-2010, 12:22 PM

I remember some posts on the old ford Barn a while back. Any way to access them. I would like to research the Diamond Blocks. Any leads, contacts, Information would help. How does one contact the ford archives? I will start another thread for this. Bob

28hiboy · 08-11-2010, 07:21 PM

Here is a little info http://idisk.mac.com/forever4/Public...amondblock.htm
I have a diamond block that has no SN. It was a mule motor with an in and out box, stand alone unit.

Ron in Quincy · 08-11-2010, 09:01 PM

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The Diamond A Blocks I've seen over the years here on the West Coast have all been stamped RF**** or LB****. These were new blocks (hard seats in the exhaust) built by Ford. Ford used new B cams in these engines and generally a good A crankshaft.

RF = Richmond Ford (California)

LB = Long Beach Ford (California)

Ron

Dusty · 08-11-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

The Diamond A Blocks I've seen over the years here on the West Coast have all been stamped RF**** or LB****. These were new blocks (hard seats in the exhaust) built by Ford. Ford used new B cams in these engines and generally a good A crankshaft.

RF = Richmond Ford (California)

LB = Long Beach Ford (California)

Ron

Mine is an RF, I was informed here that it was a replacment engine built by Richmond Ford. It had everything you mentioned including a balanced crank and reenforced webbing in the rear main(whatever this means) This is what I was told so don't shoot the messenger

Ron in Quincy · 08-11-2010, 10:46 PM

Dusty,

You are correct, it has the additional webbing to rienforce the rear crankshaft mounting. They were in effect a new Ford Engine. A member in our club picked one up here in Quincy; the only thing he did was counterbalance the crankshaft which was an A; it had a new B camshaft which we put in V blocks to check the lift, it had 331 lift on the intakes and 339 on the exhaust. We set the valve clearance at .014 on the intakes and .018 on the exhaust ; he also intalled a new 5.9 Brumfield head. What a strong engine !!!!!

Ron

Brentwood Bob · 08-12-2010, 12:01 AM

That's the info I am looking for. Thanks I have 3 diamond blocks now. I will look closely at the 2 I have had the longest. Thanks, Bob.

Dusty · 08-12-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

Dusty,

You are correct, it has the additional webbing to rienforce the rear crankshaft mounting. They were in effect a new Ford Engine. A member in our club picked one up here in Quincy; the only thing he did was counterbalance the crankshaft which was an A; it had a new B camshaft which we put in V blocks to check the lift, it had 331 lift on the intakes and 339 on the exhaust. We set the valve clearance at .014 on the intakes and .018 on the exhaust ; he also intalled a new 5.9 Brumfield head. What a strong engine !!!!!

Ron

Ron, I have installed the Snyder's head and finally got the timing right, I am amazed and how well this engine performs. It is very quiet and very smooth (for a flat head four:-) I have only had the opportunity to drive 3 other "A"s and this one blows them away as far as smoothness and get up and go.

I have probably jinxed myself for this weekend as I am off with the local "A" club to Amish country in Ohio...I guess I should be lining up an engine rebuilder before I leave

Warming her up in WV
dusty

CA Victoria · 09-24-2011, 08:07 AM

checked Plucks and Vince's sites and did not see any additional info on LB and RF numbered engines.....

Does anyone have any additional historical information on the California RF and LB serial number blocks?

If I have it right. these diamond blocks were assembled with different parts than a replacement diamond engine. How were they distributed? I have one that came our of a 29 ford, said to be an original engine but the date stamping indicates it's a 1935 engine ?????

is there any additional info I have missed?

Rowdy · 09-24-2011, 09:02 AM

Bob The archives from the old barn are gone forever as far as being in a useful condition. That is a long ways from what we were promised, but just the way it is. The search engine here only likes single words to search. Use the advanced search, type in diamond and look in the Model A Form. Looks like there is plently to look at. I will see if I can get the link to post below, but no gaurantees if it will. Rod

Rowdy · 09-24-2011, 09:04 AM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search...earchid=684571

Forgot the link

robert shreveport · 09-24-2011, 03:06 PM

Guys I have a diamond block with the tag on rt. side "J306". It also has 2689012 on boss on drivers side stamped. What does this sound like it may be? A "Oct. 30 1936" engine? Does this have hardened seats in it does it have more webbing in the bottom end? What camshaft would it have had in it. Why is it stamped now with the 2689012.What do you know about what this engine may have been originally. The motor has a "B" head on it with 3 hole water pump.

robert shreveport · 09-24-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert shreveport

Guys I have a diamond block with the tag on rt. side "J306". It also has 2689012 on boss on drivers side stamped. What does this sound like it may be? A "Oct. 30 1936" engine? Does this have hardened seats in it does it have more webbing in the bottom end? What camshaft would it have had in it. Why is it stamped now with the 2689012.What do you know about what this engine may have been originally. The motor has a "B" head on it with 3 hole water pump.

Would my motor be considered a "B" motor

PC/SR · 09-24-2011, 08:56 PM

I have a 1935 diamond block with the engine pad stamped DMV******. It also has a welded up crack in the exact same spot as shown on Vince Falter's picture, from the pad through the water inlet.

CA Victoria · 09-25-2011, 04:52 AM

Any information on how many diamond blocks were produced?

Many have been a gaggle though, presumably many must have been reshaped into war machinery durring WWII.

Brentwood Bob · 09-25-2011, 01:22 PM

I would think that the number stamped was added later. Bob

Jim Brierley · 09-25-2011, 04:00 PM

The diamond is a foundry mark, also found on Columbia rear-end parts. I always thought it to be an independent foundry but have no proof of this.

08-08-2010, 12:40 AM	#1
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Number on a diamond model a block The number stamped on a diamond Model A block is LB-----, with a star on the right side. Does this look familiar to anyone? The casting of the block has a few rough areas, namely below the water pump on the front of the block, behind the timing gear cover. upper front driver side. I don't know the history on this block. Bob

08-08-2010, 02:11 AM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Diamond block were sold after the Model A cars ended. Could have any number stamped by the person/company(s) that bought them. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

08-10-2010, 02:58 AM	#3
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Thanks, when I saw the LB, Long Beach came to mind. Especially with the star on the end. The Head has Ford USA cast near Number 2 cylinder. Very little wear in the head on the stop for the water pump shaft. Thanks, Bob.

08-11-2010, 12:22 PM	#4
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Number on a diamond model a block I remember some posts on the old ford Barn a while back. Any way to access them. I would like to research the Diamond Blocks. Any leads, contacts, Information would help. How does one contact the ford archives? I will start another thread for this. Bob

08-11-2010, 07:21 PM	#5
28hiboy Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Milton Fl Posts: 15	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Here is a little info http://idisk.mac.com/forever4/Public...amondblock.htm I have a diamond block that has no SN. It was a mule motor with an in and out box, stand alone unit.

08-11-2010, 09:01 PM	#6
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The Diamond A Blocks I've seen over the years here on the West Coast have all been stamped RF** or LB**. These were new blocks (hard seats in the exhaust) built by Ford. Ford used new B cams in these engines and generally a good A crankshaft. RF = Richmond Ford (California) LB = Long Beach Ford (California) Ron

08-11-2010, 10:46 PM	#8
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Dusty, You are correct, it has the additional webbing to rienforce the rear crankshaft mounting. They were in effect a new Ford Engine. A member in our club picked one up here in Quincy; the only thing he did was counterbalance the crankshaft which was an A; it had a new B camshaft which we put in V blocks to check the lift, it had 331 lift on the intakes and 339 on the exhaust. We set the valve clearance at .014 on the intakes and .018 on the exhaust ; he also intalled a new 5.9 Brumfield head. What a strong engine !!!!! Ron

08-12-2010, 12:01 AM	#9
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Number on a diamond model a block That's the info I am looking for. Thanks I have 3 diamond blocks now. I will look closely at the 2 I have had the longest. Thanks, Bob.

09-24-2011, 08:07 AM	#11
CA Victoria Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,216	Re: Number on a diamond model a block checked Plucks and Vince's sites and did not see any additional info on LB and RF numbered engines..... Does anyone have any additional historical information on the California RF and LB serial number blocks? If I have it right. these diamond blocks were assembled with different parts than a replacement diamond engine. How were they distributed? I have one that came our of a 29 ford, said to be an original engine but the date stamping indicates it's a 1935 engine ????? is there any additional info I have missed?

09-24-2011, 09:02 AM	#12
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Bob The archives from the old barn are gone forever as far as being in a useful condition. That is a long ways from what we were promised, but just the way it is. The search engine here only likes single words to search. Use the advanced search, type in diamond and look in the Model A Form. Looks like there is plently to look at. I will see if I can get the link to post below, but no gaurantees if it will. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

09-24-2011, 09:04 AM	#13
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Number on a diamond model a block https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search...earchid=684571 Forgot the link __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

09-24-2011, 03:06 PM	#14
robert shreveport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shreveport,La. Posts: 332	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Guys I have a diamond block with the tag on rt. side "J306". It also has 2689012 on boss on drivers side stamped. What does this sound like it may be? A "Oct. 30 1936" engine? Does this have hardened seats in it does it have more webbing in the bottom end? What camshaft would it have had in it. Why is it stamped now with the 2689012.What do you know about what this engine may have been originally. The motor has a "B" head on it with 3 hole water pump.

09-24-2011, 08:56 PM	#16
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,285	Re: Number on a diamond model a block I have a 1935 diamond block with the engine pad stamped DMV******. It also has a welded up crack in the exact same spot as shown on Vince Falter's picture, from the pad through the water inlet.

09-25-2011, 04:52 AM	#17
CA Victoria Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,216	Re: Number on a diamond model a block Any information on how many diamond blocks were produced? Many have been a gaggle though, presumably many must have been reshaped into war machinery durring WWII.

09-25-2011, 01:22 PM	#18
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Number on a diamond model a block I would think that the number stamped was added later. Bob

09-25-2011, 04:00 PM	#19
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,251	Re: Number on a diamond model a block The diamond is a foundry mark, also found on Columbia rear-end parts. I always thought it to be an independent foundry but have no proof of this.