Is Serial # AB 51491XX a Model A or B?

[southfork]

I'm thinking that there were only about 4 million Model A Fords built between late 1927 and the end of Model A production, so a 5 million + serial number must be a Model B, right? By the way there are stars stamped at either end of the serial number.

As indicated, AB 51491XX is the serial number on my banger engine (actually on the top of cast the flywheel cover). Because the prefix to the number has both an A and B, I find it confusing. The head has a large C cast into it, so that makes it even more confusing. What Model is my engine from?

[southfork]

I'll try to post a picture of my engine, if that will help...

[southfork]

Hm-m-m, doesn't like my attached picture for some reason.

[quickchange]

Looks like a 33-34 rear housing as no engine mount holes visable as in 1932 , just rod brace holes . Need some side views .

[ctlikon0712]

Head is a model B 3 hole waterpump... exhaust is an A but that is easily changed...

[Charlie Stephens]

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Originally Posted by southfork

I'm thinking that there were only about 4 million Model A Fords built between late 1927 and the end of Model A production, so a 5 million + serial number must be a Model B, right? By the way there are stars stamped at either end of the serial number.

As indicated, AB 51491XX is the serial number on my banger engine (actually on the top of cast the flywheel cover). Because the prefix to the number has both an A and B, I find it confusing. The head has a large C cast into it, so that makes it even more confusing. What Model is my engine from?

Ford started numbering his B engines at 5 million. Engines prior to about 62000 (see "The 1932 Ford Book" if you need an exact number) had an "AB" prefix, after that just "B". The person that stamped your engine must have just returned from a long vacation and missed the changeover in the numbers (or whatever other reason you can think of). Your number 51491XX would have passed final inspection in September 1932 according to "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It". The "C" on the head was used beginning in 1932. The "B" on the head had already been used on the Model A Police head. The intake is a '32 and up. The exhaust may be Model A or it may be '32 and up truck. Please take my "and up" comment with a grain of salt as I am not sure after '32. The flywheel housing is '33-'34 since the provision for the steady rods in is the flywheel housing and not in separate bracket as in 1932. I assume there is a provision for a fuel pump on the right side of the engine.

Charlie Stephens

[columbiA]

Also,the 33-34 starter had a threaded stud on the bottom as it used the same starter switch as the V8 that was mounted on the steering box.

[columbiA]

And 33-34 water pump is shorter than 32 pump due to sloped rad.Crank pulley & timing cover also different due to generator being farther back.If your engine has all those features,it will also have the counter balanced crank,unless a 32 B was installed in its place.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by columbiA

Also,the 33-34 starter had a threaded stud on the bottom as it used the same starter switch as the V8 that was mounted on the steering box.

The change to steering box mounted starter switch occured during the '32 production year.

Charlie Stephens

[Charlie Stephens]

Another difference that might be important if you are planning on using the motor in a Model A is that the 1933-34 engine is shorter. This involved a shorter water pump (visually you can see that the grease fittings are closer together on the 1933-34 pump), a shorter pulley, and a timing cover that relocated the generator back towards the rear of the car. Attached are pictures of the timing cover showing the relocated generator mount when compared to a Model A (cheap plug, I have this for sale in the classified). If you use this in a Model B these 3 parts need to be replaced by the parts from a '32.

Charlie Stephens