The Ford Barn

Tim Ayers · 06-17-2023, 07:53 AM

Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auction? Going by the pictures from the auction house, there were crates of rods, timing gear sets, cranks. Not to mention the pallets of engines and blocks.

I know it was only a few weeks ago, but I'd thought these parts would be trickling out by now.

I'd like to get some rods and timing sets for spares.

Ronnieroadster · 06-17-2023, 03:24 PM

Tim I don't have an answer to your question. But I have some info about the French rods which you may already know. When it comes to French rods there's two lengths the standard Ford 7 inch length and a shorter rod the French used with the 4 inch stroke crankshaft when they used the Ford 3-3/4 stroke pistons.

The 7 inch French rods were sold out a couple years ago I wonder if the rods you see in the crates are the shorter version. The shorter rods are still usable with the Merc crankshaft just have to use the Ford stroke pistons.
Ronnieroadster

38 coupe · 06-17-2023, 03:27 PM

At one time I was interested in using the shorter 6 7/8" french rods with a 4 1/4 stroke crankshaft and cast 4" stroke pistons to make a stump pulling stock looking engine. I never had the money to put the parts together before Scat stopped making the stock journal 4 1/4 cranks and the short rods became unavailable. I still think it would be fun to do, but don't expect to find the parts anymore.

Krylon32 · 06-19-2023, 06:01 PM

Blocks and other parts are being offered on E-Bay.

Tim Ayers · 06-20-2023, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krylon32

Blocks and other parts are being offered on E-Bay.

Thanks, Gary. I tried to search and didn't come up with anything. Any chance you can post a few links?

Mart · 06-20-2023, 07:04 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster

Tim I don't have an answer to your question. But I have some info about the French rods which you may already know. When it comes to French rods there's two lengths the standard Ford 7 inch length and a shorter rod the French used with the 4 inch stroke crankshaft when they used the Ford 3-3/4 stroke pistons.

The 7 inch French rods were sold out a couple years ago I wonder if the rods you see in the crates are the shorter version. The shorter rods are still usable with the Merc crankshaft just have to use the Ford stroke pistons.
Ronnieroadster

Just a minor addendum, while the french pistons are common between 3-3/4 and 4" cranks, and the difference is in the rod, if you use "ford" pistons they will hit the crank. I showed the clearancing of a "ford" piston in one of my videos. I also clearanced a set of 3-5/16" pistons in the same way.

Mart.

my4dv8 · 06-20-2023, 05:30 PM

My rough search on Ebay came up empty.

Krylon32 · 06-20-2023, 06:17 PM

You guys are right. The blocks were on e-bay a couple weeks ago with a $5000 buy it now price.

Mart · 06-21-2023, 03:31 AM

Don't treat them like some "holy grail" item. I have 3. they are still subject to cracking and two of mine have some core shift.

06-17-2023, 07:53 AM	#1
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,181	Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auction? Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auction? Going by the pictures from the auction house, there were crates of rods, timing gear sets, cranks. Not to mention the pallets of engines and blocks. I know it was only a few weeks ago, but I'd thought these parts would be trickling out by now. I'd like to get some rods and timing sets for spares. Last edited by Tim Ayers; 06-17-2023 at 08:05 AM.

06-17-2023, 03:24 PM	#2
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,530	Re: Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auctio Tim I don't have an answer to your question. But I have some info about the French rods which you may already know. When it comes to French rods there's two lengths the standard Ford 7 inch length and a shorter rod the French used with the 4 inch stroke crankshaft when they used the Ford 3-3/4 stroke pistons. The 7 inch French rods were sold out a couple years ago I wonder if the rods you see in the crates are the shorter version. The shorter rods are still usable with the Merc crankshaft just have to use the Ford stroke pistons. Ronnieroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

06-17-2023, 03:27 PM	#3
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auctio At one time I was interested in using the shorter 6 7/8" french rods with a 4 1/4 stroke crankshaft and cast 4" stroke pistons to make a stump pulling stock looking engine. I never had the money to put the parts together before Scat stopped making the stock journal 4 1/4 cranks and the short rods became unavailable. I still think it would be fun to do, but don't expect to find the parts anymore.

06-19-2023, 06:01 PM	#4
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auctio Blocks and other parts are being offered on E-Bay.

06-20-2023, 05:30 PM	#7
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,112	Re: Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auctio My rough search on Ebay came up empty.

06-20-2023, 06:17 PM	#8
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,489	Re: Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auctio You guys are right. The blocks were on e-bay a couple weeks ago with a $5000 buy it now price.

06-21-2023, 03:31 AM	#9
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	Re: Anyone know what happened to all the French military parts from the So Cal auctio Don't treat them like some "holy grail" item. I have 3. they are still subject to cracking and two of mine have some core shift.