The Ford Barn

DBF 30 · 02-05-2012, 01:42 AM

I am a brand new guy to the Model A world. I have wanted one since I was 16 when my grandfather and I would go driving in my great uncle's all origional sedan that was stored at my grandfathers. So fast forward 38 years and I finally got around to getting one. I recently bought a 1930 Standard Model A roadster that is rough but is fairly complete, see my Avitar.

Probably paid too much for it but was offered a thousand more than I paid while hauling it home. My game plan is not to do a full restoration at this time. I just want to go through the mechanicals and get a solid driver where I can just enjoy driving it. Want it to be reliable but part of the charm will be the rust and dents.

Progress so far, engine starts and dosn't run too bad. However no cooling as in a leaky radiator and shot water pump. So only ran it for a short period.

After scraping about an inch of grease and mud off the engine block, I pulled the pan to check out the bottom end. I was pleasantly suprised at the condition. Pretty clean and tight, smooth turning crankshaft. Havn't pulled any bearing caps yet to check their status. I did notice that I have the split skirt pistons with the wire spring inside the piston going to each side of the piston skirt. I have never seen this set up before but I think I read that the split skirt pistons were origional equipment? If so this may be all origional.

Needless to say I was feeling pretty good about what I was seeing inside. I then looked up at the underside of the block and see about a 4 inch hairline crack in the water jacket between cylinders 3 and 4. Should have known it was going to good! If you look at the vin number on the block and follow the flat side down to where it curves under and then goes back toward the cylinders, that is where the crack is. Just as it curves under going back toward the cylinders. It is just big enough for a finger nail to ketch on.

So my question is how bad is this. I assume that I will now have to pull the engine, completly tear it apart, hot tank the block and then what?

I assume that getting this welded is a viable soultion or is JB Weld an option? What is the best long term fix and most economical way to handle this?

I was really hoping to avoid a total rebuild at this time. That looks like a pipe dream now.

Thanks in advance for your help.

02-05-2012, 01:42 AM	#1
DBF 30 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 38	Need advice on cracked block I am a brand new guy to the Model A world. I have wanted one since I was 16 when my grandfather and I would go driving in my great uncle's all origional sedan that was stored at my grandfathers. So fast forward 38 years and I finally got around to getting one. I recently bought a 1930 Standard Model A roadster that is rough but is fairly complete, see my Avitar. Probably paid too much for it but was offered a thousand more than I paid while hauling it home. My game plan is not to do a full restoration at this time. I just want to go through the mechanicals and get a solid driver where I can just enjoy driving it. Want it to be reliable but part of the charm will be the rust and dents. Progress so far, engine starts and dosn't run too bad. However no cooling as in a leaky radiator and shot water pump. So only ran it for a short period. After scraping about an inch of grease and mud off the engine block, I pulled the pan to check out the bottom end. I was pleasantly suprised at the condition. Pretty clean and tight, smooth turning crankshaft. Havn't pulled any bearing caps yet to check their status. I did notice that I have the split skirt pistons with the wire spring inside the piston going to each side of the piston skirt. I have never seen this set up before but I think I read that the split skirt pistons were origional equipment? If so this may be all origional. Needless to say I was feeling pretty good about what I was seeing inside. I then looked up at the underside of the block and see about a 4 inch hairline crack in the water jacket between cylinders 3 and 4. Should have known it was going to good! If you look at the vin number on the block and follow the flat side down to where it curves under and then goes back toward the cylinders, that is where the crack is. Just as it curves under going back toward the cylinders. It is just big enough for a finger nail to ketch on. So my question is how bad is this. I assume that I will now have to pull the engine, completly tear it apart, hot tank the block and then what? I assume that getting this welded is a viable soultion or is JB Weld an option? What is the best long term fix and most economical way to handle this? I was really hoping to avoid a total rebuild at this time. That looks like a pipe dream now. Thanks in advance for your help.