The Ford Barn

BlockBuster · 03-12-2011, 05:59 PM

Bought a '31 A Coupe a couple months back and it came with quite a story. Owner said he started his A project with a neighbor, but the neighbor had to bow out when he had his first child...then second child. Project came to a halt - 32 years ago! And this was only a year or so into the project. Not only was there a mass quantity of parts in duplicate, but the engine and trans were rebuilt and put to the side as they waited for their turn to be installed. I basically have a 'fresh' rebuilt engine that has been resting comfortably in a cradle since 1979. Here's the particulars...Enjoy!

Great Lakes Greg · 03-12-2011, 07:24 PM

Wow, good stuff! Just dropped nearly 3 "G"'s on a rebuild. Purrs like the proverbial kitten, but 651 bucks would have been a topper.

Kevin in NJ · 03-12-2011, 08:33 PM

While this all sounds great consider this:

No balance of the crankshaft?

I bet they did not balance the rods or check the weight of the pistons.
Who knows where the crank center line is with respect to the flywheel.

What was used for babbitt? Lead is too soft and only good for 500 point show cars that are not driven.

What about the cam, they probably just reused what came in the engine.

It might be a great engine, but you might be smart to at least check the work. There was a shop in Philadelphia that would have produced a similar bill and I believe they were still in business in 1979. Some of their engines would make 200 miles before they broke. They did not bother to drill oil holes, poured bad babbitt and many other things.

If you just plan on put putting around this engine may be fine. If you want it to be reliable and none vibrating massage machine you would want to check the work.

Just some things to think about.

kelley's restoration · 03-13-2011, 09:39 AM

i wouldn't worry about it
we still have engines running around that were built in the 60's and 70's
i say put it in and have some fun
if it starts to bang or leak like a sive then worry about it then
tk

Mikeinnj · 03-13-2011, 10:21 AM

I agree with Kelly,put it in and fire it up, drive it and enjoy it. I think that many of the rebuilds of the 60's and 70's were performed by true blue, old timers who really knew their craft. I have an engine that purrs along at 55 as smooth as silk that was rebuilt by Warren Paul in Chicopee,Massachusetts in the 1970's and I never yet have had to adjust the rods or mains.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-13-2011, 10:52 AM

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I agree with Kelly and Mike. I'd just install it, keep clean oil in it, treat it right and enjoy it.

If it starts to show problems down the road, then spend the money and time to redo it.

james hitchcock · 03-13-2011, 11:33 AM

Very cool ! Drop that baby in and go !!! I'd much rather have an engine rebuilt then. Probably a bit more care was taken. Have fun !!!

BlockBuster · 03-13-2011, 01:46 PM

A little buzzkill from Kevin in NJ, but I'm gonna drop this in and go. The PO had an old Fanta bottle (yes, glass) with his oil concoction to turn it over every now and again. I was more into showing the price sheet as a reminder of days gone by. I omitted the PO's name and the shop as a courtesy. I'm sure it was done right as the shop specialized in early Fords; maybe not 2011 'right', but fine for '79.

03-12-2011, 05:59 PM	#1
BlockBuster Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SEMass Posts: 46	My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt Bought a '31 A Coupe a couple months back and it came with quite a story. Owner said he started his A project with a neighbor, but the neighbor had to bow out when he had his first child...then second child. Project came to a halt - 32 years ago! And this was only a year or so into the project. Not only was there a mass quantity of parts in duplicate, but the engine and trans were rebuilt and put to the side as they waited for their turn to be installed. I basically have a 'fresh' rebuilt engine that has been resting comfortably in a cradle since 1979. Here's the particulars...Enjoy!

03-12-2011, 07:24 PM	#2
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Re: My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt Wow, good stuff! Just dropped nearly 3 "G"'s on a rebuild. Purrs like the proverbial kitten, but 651 bucks would have been a topper.

03-12-2011, 08:33 PM	#3
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt While this all sounds great consider this: No balance of the crankshaft? I bet they did not balance the rods or check the weight of the pistons. Who knows where the crank center line is with respect to the flywheel. What was used for babbitt? Lead is too soft and only good for 500 point show cars that are not driven. What about the cam, they probably just reused what came in the engine. It might be a great engine, but you might be smart to at least check the work. There was a shop in Philadelphia that would have produced a similar bill and I believe they were still in business in 1979. Some of their engines would make 200 miles before they broke. They did not bother to drill oil holes, poured bad babbitt and many other things. If you just plan on put putting around this engine may be fine. If you want it to be reliable and none vibrating massage machine you would want to check the work. Just some things to think about.

03-13-2011, 09:39 AM	#4
kelley's restoration Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 60046 Posts: 888	Re: My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt i wouldn't worry about it we still have engines running around that were built in the 60's and 70's i say put it in and have some fun if it starts to bang or leak like a sive then worry about it then tk __________________ anyone need some Model A restoration work done in Illinois? shoot me an email for pics and information [email protected]

03-13-2011, 10:21 AM	#5
Mikeinnj Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 1,262	Re: My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt I agree with Kelly,put it in and fire it up, drive it and enjoy it. I think that many of the rebuilds of the 60's and 70's were performed by true blue, old timers who really knew their craft. I have an engine that purrs along at 55 as smooth as silk that was rebuilt by Warren Paul in Chicopee,Massachusetts in the 1970's and I never yet have had to adjust the rods or mains.

03-13-2011, 10:52 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I agree with Kelly and Mike. I'd just install it, keep clean oil in it, treat it right and enjoy it. If it starts to show problems down the road, then spend the money and time to redo it.

03-13-2011, 11:33 AM	#7
james hitchcock Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Visalia Ca. Posts: 617	Re: My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt Very cool ! Drop that baby in and go !!! I'd much rather have an engine rebuilt then. Probably a bit more care was taken. Have fun !!!

03-13-2011, 01:46 PM	#8
BlockBuster Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SEMass Posts: 46	Re: My turn to share; rebuild sheet/receipt A little buzzkill from Kevin in NJ, but I'm gonna drop this in and go. The PO had an old Fanta bottle (yes, glass) with his oil concoction to turn it over every now and again. I was more into showing the price sheet as a reminder of days gone by. I omitted the PO's name and the shop as a courtesy. I'm sure it was done right as the shop specialized in early Fords; maybe not 2011 'right', but fine for '79.