Chevrolet ohv head on a Ford Model A block adapter plate

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by noboD

'28 is the only year with a valve cover too.

I think they were earlier too - I remember having to take mine off and soak a felt pad that was held to to valve cover with oil to lube the rockers.
I thought there was a guy putting Y block (292-312 V8) heads on the A block but couldn't find anything on it.
Here is probably the trickest OHV Model A conversion going. http://victorylibrary.com/mopar/m-table-c.htm#FordY


Here is a chart with cylinder spacing -

http://victorylibrary.com/mopar/m-table-c.htm#Ford6

[Dodge]

Yes, still have the head. Sent a PM


Dodge

[ronn]

A few pictures of the adapter plate and graphite gaskets. A friend built one a few year ago and had sealing problems, he ended up having a head gasket made in the NW with copper sealing rings. I can't recall the place that made the gaskets but will find out. Cylinders 1 and 4 have a step as shown in the close up


Olsen gasket?

[buick300]

Originally Posted by GPierce

A machinist friend that doesn’t post on the internet is looking for information on the Chevrolet ohv head on a Ford Model A block adapter plate.
PM me or post if you can help.
Thanks
Gilbert

I have kit #50 from Neal Jern's Thunderbolt conversion. I am in BC, Canada.

[buick300]

My conversion was running excellently until I made the decision to replace the slightly leaking head gasket with my one and only 'Neal Jern' Chev graphite gasket! Now I have zero compression. Stalled, but not defeated further investigation required. If anyone can assist with a head gasket kit or a source for such kits, I would be grateful!
Thank you, Peter Eglinton. Port Moody, BC

[buick300]

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[buick300]

Originally Posted by GPierce

A machinist friend that doesn’t post on the internet is looking for information on the Chevrolet ohv head on a Ford Model A block adapter plate.
PM me or post if you can help.
Thanks
Gilbert

I have kit #50 from Neal Jern's Thunderbolt conversion. I am in BC, Canada.

[buick300]

I am hoping that someone would have a spare 'Neal Jern"gasket kit for the Model A conversion. I require both head gaskets. Or perhaps someone may know of a manufacturing shop that I can contact. Many thanks. Peter Eglinton

[MrBruce]

Neil Jern was the one that made the 28 Chevy head to the Model A. I had one and no of one more in our club. I just saw something (don't remember where) that someone might be taking up where Neil left of (since he has passed). I will see if I can find out who and where I saw it and post it.

[Bob Bidonde]

Brent,

Thanks for sharing that interesting story re the Chevy head conversion. I enjoyed reading it.

[buick300]

I have a Neal Jern conversion working well (at the moment) on my 1928 Chevrolet running on Ford running gear (except for the head) I will try to upload a picture or video. However, if anyone is interested I can email pictures etc. [email protected]

[buick300]

I have a Neal Jern conversion working well (at the moment) on my 1928 Chevrolet running on Ford running gear (except for the head) I will try to upload a picture or video

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by buick300

I am hoping that someone would have a spare 'Neal Jern"gasket kit for the Model A conversion. I require both head gaskets. Or perhaps someone may know of a manufacturing shop that I can contact. Many thanks. Peter Eglinton

Olson's Gaskets can make gaskets if you have a pattern.
https://www.olsonsgaskets.com/

[noboD]

Wouldn't you just use a normal A gasket under the adapter and a Chevy gasket under the head? If not, why not?

[Jim Brierley]

Just FYI, the Olds head mentioned above had 3 exhaust ports, and was used by racers back in the day, the first car to attain 140 MPH was Chevy powered, I think with either an Olds head or an aftermarket heat, a 'Tornado'. Neither had a combustion chamber in the head, just cylinder space under the head. Hot rodders of the day used different, longer, rods to raise compression.

[buick300]

Hello, I have kit # 50 operating well. It has been a good learning experience for me. initially, I broke some of my 1928 rocker arms, which led me to purchasing Neal's first set of replacement modern style rockers. I can be contacted at: [email protected]
I am in Vancouver, BC., Canada

[Gene F]

Kind of interesting topic. I'd be afraid to use this on a T though. Seems like the increased RPM, and power would be hard on the crankshaft. T crankshafts are known to sometimes break.

I guess the surface of the Chevy head seals off the valves on the A block...

This does sound like a lot of work. I wonder the difference between the Chevy head and the improved high compression heads avaialable these days.

[redmodelt]

Gene, you can only go so thin on the adapter plate if aluminum and would depend on the profile in the combustion area compression. I went with just the older style, round holes offset to match the bore and head, not much of a difference.

Olsons as far as I have heard has the patterns to make the Thunderbolt head gasket. While the standard overhead gasket would work between the block and adapter for the Thunderbolt or adapters like it, using the Chevrolet gasket would leave a pocket between the adapter and head between the valve space and over the wedge area.