Model A Vs Model B advice

[Lenny Bruce]

Hello everyone. So I went to look at an enclosed trailer last evening and to my surprise the fella had a 1932 Model B closed cab pickup truck in it and would like to sell it as well.. The truck is turn key..He did a decent amateur restoration. It’s on the road and ready to go. My concern is how readily available are parts for this truck? Mechanically it’s basically a Model A correct? My other question is it’s worth…He’s firm at $ 14,000. Can anyone shine some light on my situation? I’m very interested in the truck…

[nkaminar]

If you like the truck and can afford it, go for it.

[Lenny Bruce]

I’m leaning in that direction just don’t want to get into it too deep from the start. Theirs not much research showing their value.

[Big hammer]

Buy the truck and have him throw in the trailer!

[DavidG]

Without photos, it's had to say, but if it is rust free, including the surface of the bed, that could be a fair price. As far as parts availability goes, much of the cab, the bed, and the fenders and running boards are available as quality reproductions. B engine parts have a fair amount in common with their A counterparts. If it has a counterbalanced crankshaft that's a big plus. Depending on your standards for originality, make sure that it has its correct original radiator cap as they can be very expensive to replace with a $500 price tag not unheard of and no reproduction ever made.

[ronn]

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for a 4 cylinder, that price is about right.

if it were an 8 cylinder, it could go up another 30-40%.

[Jim Brierley]

Parts are available thru early V8 stores. Engine parts are mostly the same as Model A except gaskets.

[Charlie Stephens]

How about a bunch of pictures and maybe someone can spot something that will cause you grief later?

Charlie Stephens

[Gil Sissons]

If you decide to pass on this pickup..... there is one like it on
Craigslist Monterey California....but it is for sale for $33,000 !

Gil. NoCal

[DavidG]

When you look carefully, most engine parts are not the same (unless you count fasteners), starting with the blocks, valve chamber covers, cylinder heads, water pumps, crankshafts, connecting rods, oil pump, camshaft, tappets, timing gear cover, oil pan, flywheel housing, and distributor.

[stickshift]

I bought my 1931 AA thinking it had the original engine. Serial numbers matched. Thanks to this forum, I found out that the original A engine was replaced by a B engine. I had mixed feelings about this, but the B is 50 HP right out of the gate instead of 40 like the A. Yesterday, I took my truck out on the main road with a portable GPS to verify my speedo was correct. I hit 52 MPH and my speedo was right along with the GPS reading. Now I know my truck is really going that fast which is not bad for a 4 speed work truck. A little rough riding, but fun every once in a while. 14k sounds fair if it runs good and good shape.

[johnneilson]

Originally Posted by Lenny Bruce

Hello everyone. So I went to look at an enclosed trailer last evening and to my surprise the fella had a 1932 Model B closed cab pickup truck in it and would like to sell it as well.. The truck is turn key..He did a decent amateur restoration. It’s on the road and ready to go. My concern is how readily available are parts for this truck? Mechanically it’s basically a Model A correct? My other question is it’s worth…He’s firm at $ 14,000. Can anyone shine some light on my situation? I’m very interested in the truck…

IMHO, if it runs and drives without you needing a tetanus shot, it is worth the 14k asking.
As to some responses, yes, the "B" is different than the "A", but here again, IMHO, it is an improved Mod "A".
Parts are plenty available, most running gear from the early V8 models.
FWIW, I replace just about everything I can in my personal Mod "A's" with later V8 parts. Understand that I do not care about restoration judging, I own them to drive and play around with.

There are many old wives tales about the "B" blocks being weaker and prone to cracking, yes, have touched many cracked blocks both A and B.
The Diamond B blocks were cast as late as the '40's, much better than 20's quality and many years less potential damage.

Just another opinion, J

[jack backer]

Cracking is like sex, it relieves stress.B blocks, even diamond B blocks crack. I agree with John, besides less time working diamond b blocks are better because Ford was harder on their subcontractors …

[CWPASADENA]

The 32 is a better truck than a Model A. If it is decent, that is a very fair price. From the factory, all 32 trucks were 4 cylinder. The V8 engines were reserved for passenger cars.

[31a]

I have had several B engines over the years I am a fan of the B engine. Mostly if you can work on a A engine you should be able to work on the B. I have B water pumps and heads if you should need some. Good Iuck

[Lenny Bruce]

That’s great news! Thanks everyone! 31a I would love an extra water pump if I do buy the truck. Never hurts to have spares! Thank you. If you wouldn’t mind pm me your contact info
Sometime…

[Charlie Stephens]

Get to know Dave Renner (at Renner's Corner, ((734) 428-8424) for Model B engine parts.

When you get the extra water pump be sure it is the 1932 pump, the 1933-34 pumps have 3 bolts and look similar but are shorter due to the sloped radiator. See photo, '32 pump on left, note spacing of grease fittings for quick identification.

Charlie Stephens

[Ivan in southeast va.]

Get it!

[Lenny Bruce]

I appreciated you all so much thank you! I will keep you posted on it.

[Jim Brierley]

Those parts you already have, the parts most often replaced are pistons, rings, valves and such, they are the same as Model A.

Originally Posted by DavidG

When you look carefully, most engine parts are not the same (unless you count fasteners), starting with the blocks, valve chamber covers, cylinder heads, water pumps, crankshafts, connecting rods, oil pump, camshaft, tappets, timing gear cover, oil pan, flywheel housing, and distributor.

[jack backer]

Originally Posted by DavidG

When you look carefully, most engine parts are not the same (unless you count fasteners), starting with the blocks, valve chamber covers, cylinder heads, water pumps, crankshafts, connecting rods, oil pump, camshaft, tappets, timing gear cover, oil pan, flywheel housing, and distributor.

Yep, you’re correct , the head is higher compression (slightly), the crankshaft has larger journals ( later ones were 40% counterbalanced) basically curing the center main bearing issue the A has. the camshaft is a superior grind to the A for engine breathing ( later B cams best) Distributor is mechanical advance, insuring proper timing at all rpm ranges, impossible with the A manual advance.. you forgot a lighter flywheel and superior carburetor. Oil pump fits 28 to 34


Those excellent Ford engineers that designed the A engine were forced to save a lot of their noticed improvements till they won the battle to release the improvements in ‘32

[Benson]

Stock A head was 4.22 to 1.

"The Head with the large B" was called the Police head was 5.2 to 1.

The Model B head with the Large C installed on the Model B engine had three bolt water pump was 4.6 to 1. Same heart shape chambers as 1931 Police head.

The Police Head or any of the present day "Higher compression heads" with 4 bolt water pump can be installed on the B engine. Problem is that the 4 bolt water pump is too long if engine is installed in the 32 - 34 Model B car.

Therefore the higher compression heads for the Model B car are limited to "The head with the Large C.

As I remember the fan will hit the Model B 's slanted radiator.

At one time Todd Butterworth was going to cast 4 bolt water pumps with shorter housings and shorter shafts so that the Higher compression heads could be installed on B engine in the Model B cars and trucks.

Did Todd ever make any of these water pumps?


Since 1976 I have a had a Model B engine installed in the 29 Sport Coupe with a Police HEAD


Updates are in Green Text

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by Benson

Stock A head was 4.22 to 1.

"The Head with the large B" was called the Police head was 5.2 to 1.

The Model B head with the Large C installed on the Model B engine had three bolt water pump was 4.6 to 1. Same heart shape chambers as 1931 Police head.

The Police Head or any of the present day "Higher compression heads" with 4 bolt water pump can be installed on the B engine. Problem is that the 4 bolt water pump is too long if engine is installed in the 32 - 34 Model B car.

Therefore the higher compression heads for the Model B car are limited to "The head with the Large C.

As I remember the fan will hit the Model B 's slanted radiator.

At one time Todd Butterworth was going to cast 4 bolt water pumps with shorter housings and shorter shafts so that the Higher compression heads could be installed on B engine in the Model B cars and trucks.

Did Todd ever make any of these water pumps?


Since 1976 I have a had a Model B engine installed in the 29 Sport Coupe with a Police HEAD


Updates are in Green Text

Just a few comments. The four bolt water pump used on the Model is the correct length for a '32 Ford and thus any of the speed equipment designed for the Model A can be used on a '32. The problem is that the pump is too long to fit in a 1933-34 vehicle due to the sloped radiator. The '32 radiator does not slope.

I don't know if Tod made any short water pumps but he made some heads for the Model B Ford that looked original but were higher compression.

The first photo shows my Model B roadster and the second photo shows the difference between the '32 and the '33-'34 water pumps.

[Benson]

Charlie,

Thanks for the correction.

I have not seen very many Model Bs with 4 OR 8 cylinders.
I have seen lots of B engines in Model As and in parts yards but not many installed in Model B cars.

[DavidG]

CWPASADENA,


While it is correct that "most" '32 commercial vehicles and trucks were four-cylinder-powered, the V8 engine was gradually released for all '32 vehicles. In the case of the subject pickup, about 10% of them were built with V8 engines worldwide, but curiously less than 10% of those were produced in the U.S..

[jack backer]

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Ford had a 96% casting rejection rate with the V8 in ‘32, those that did make it into production has a variety of issues, from burning oil to casting failure in use. The B engine casting had its own issues, cracking between the exhaust seat and cylinders #2&3 is common. 1932 was a rough year for Ford..