Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-19-2019, 06:10 PM   #1
rfitzpatrick
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Coral Springs, Florida
Posts: 546
Default Engine Longevity

Stock engine and running gear driven on a simi daily basis - maintenance by the book.
How many miles should I expect to achieve before I would need an engine overhaul--assuming I started with a new re-built-
Thanks
rfitzpatrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2019, 06:51 PM   #2
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Thats a $64,000 question.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-19-2019, 07:05 PM   #3
Gary WA
Senior Member
 
Gary WA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
Posts: 4,085
Default Re: Engine Longevity

till it dies! Maintain it, should go for ever.!! It's a Model A.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg model a cartoon.jpg (78.2 KB, 129 views)
__________________
www.whidbeymodelaclub.com
Gary WA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2019, 07:06 PM   #4
Dick Steinkamp
Senior Member
 
Dick Steinkamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
Default Re: Engine Longevity

My original 30 has the original bore, original bearings motor with about 80,000 on it. Some valves have been replaced.

EDIT: Full disclosure. There is some piston slap, especially when cold, and there are few main and rod bearings where I was able to leave a shim and still stay within clearance spec. I am VERY close to needing a rebuild.
__________________
All steel from pedal to wheel

Last edited by Dick Steinkamp; 07-19-2019 at 09:23 PM.
Dick Steinkamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2019, 07:19 PM   #5
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: Engine Longevity

I believe that driven sensibly, these engines will go a looonnngggg way. Even further if oil and air filters are added. Like that, I'd expect maybe 100,000 miles.
Trouble is, to drive them like they were designed to be driven is not so easy in todays traffic with so many idiots about.
Off topic but personally, I'm looking forward to the day when cars will drive themselves. They will be programmed tro avoid "obsticles" like my Model A so I can drive as I like.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2019, 07:33 PM   #6
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,941
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
I believe that driven sensibly, these engines will go a looonnngggg way. Even further if oil and air filters are added. Like that, I'd expect maybe 100,000 miles.
Trouble is, to drive them like they were designed to be driven is not so easy in todays traffic with so many idiots about.
Off topic but personally, I'm looking forward to the day when cars will drive themselves. They will be programmed tro avoid "obsticles" like my Model A so I can drive as I like.
Don't be surprised when laws start favoring self driving cars and our old ones are banned from the road!
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2019, 11:03 PM   #7
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,444
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Quote:
Originally Posted by J Franklin View Post
Don't be surprised when laws start favoring self driving cars and our old ones are banned from the road!
Our state government recently conducted a survey into the value of the old car movement to the state's economy. They were blown away by the result - they had no idea. By the time everything was counted, it was huge. To ban them would be a big dent in the economic situation in the state and politians don't want that - it would affect their chances of re election! Electric cars will make the car world as we know it, disappear. Very few mechanical workshops, no dealers (Tesla, for example is sold ONLY on line) and very few body shops, just to start. That weill shake things up so much, they might welcome our activity.
That said, I hear you.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2019, 11:15 PM   #8
Bill Cal.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 174
Default Re: Engine Longevity

I think Gary is correct. I have a rebuilt engine in our 29 coupe that we put in in1972 and it is still going strong. I use the car almost daily and have done some good trips in it. Never drive over 45, change the oil once a year and keep it tuned and don't abuse it. Think it will last for the duration, and of course appreciate the car an awful lot.
Bill Cal. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 05:23 AM   #9
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Engine Longevity

My engine was late done in 1961. Its .080" over, original type valves and I believe original camshaft. I tightened the crank and changed timing gears about 5 or so years ago. It doesn't leak or burn anything but compression is getting low. Thats just fine with me. I too am a slow driver. Under todays road conditions these engines should run for a long time along with todays good oils.

Last edited by Patrick L.; 07-20-2019 at 07:32 AM.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 06:53 AM   #10
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,425
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Add many many miles to the engine's life by using synthetic motor oil.
__________________
Bob Bidonde
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 06:55 AM   #11
WHN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,815
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Our 1929’s engine was rebuilt in the 60’s. We have owned it since the late 70’s. We stay under 45 mph, change oil once a year. Have changed timing gear. Compression all in the mid 60’s. Does not smoke, knock, or have any other strange noises other than what is normal for a Model A.

My personal feeling is that a properly rebuilt and maintained engine will out live the owner.

Even a worn out engine will drive on and on. Enjoy.
WHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 07:09 AM   #12
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,346
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Most folks won't drive there hobby cars daily but I suppose there are those that do. The average time before overhaul was likely between 80K and 100K miles back in the day depending on conditions. Rural areas were largely unpaved back then and hard on cars. It's all about maintenance and upkeep for the older cars. There are a lot of variables that change the outcome of longevity.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 07:59 AM   #13
Mulletwagon
Senior Member
 
Mulletwagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 585
Default Re: Engine Longevity

An old engine builder told me that engine metallurgy has not changed much in a hundred years. The reason modern engines often go 200,000 plus miles is dramatic improvements in oil and gas additives. Probably some truth to this and good news for the Model A community. What we need now is beer additives so we can enjoy our rides even longer.
Mulletwagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 08:00 AM   #14
rfitzpatrick
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Coral Springs, Florida
Posts: 546
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
Add many many miles to the engine's life by using synthetic motor oil.



YES - I use synthetic oil but didn't want that to affect response and start a different discussion. Feel that any cost for repair's are worth buying best-available - I've ordered a new radiator for suspected cooling issues. And I follow the Book.


Once had this Captain tell me: "The Company Follows The Book -- I Follow The Book." So - that flight was delayed


Thanks everyone

Last edited by rfitzpatrick; 07-20-2019 at 08:06 AM.
rfitzpatrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 08:04 AM   #15
russcochiolo
Senior Member
 
russcochiolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Clovis, CA
Posts: 218
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Me too!
russcochiolo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 08:23 AM   #16
Terry, NJ
Senior Member
 
Terry, NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Piecing together a lot of loose info. No one told me this and it may be wrong. I believe the model A was was designed with a life of 50K - 60 K miles or about ten years in time. My Town Sedan made 75K , but was totally shot by then. So here we are 91 years hence! The worst thing to happen was the depression, then the war. In the depression people couldn't afford proper maintenance and in the war, they literally were prevented by the greater needs of the military. Yet the damned things survived! Today's better bearings and lubricants and maintenance schedules will only extend their lives longer than the original period between manufacture and the first restoration from say 60K to 100 K. If they're driven 5000 a year, that's twenty years on this engine. Having just passed 75, I doubt I'll be here.
Terry
Terry, NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 09:15 AM   #17
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 4,992
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Quote:
An old engine builder told me that engine metallurgy has not changed much in a hundred years.
Maybe not, but the manufacturing techniques have.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2019, 03:13 PM   #18
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,346
Default Re: Engine Longevity

The most significant change in technology was the mandates that required fuel injection with computer control for modern automobiles. This was part of EPA clean air regs to reduce emissions. It costs folks more when purchasing a new car but it is way more efficient than any carburetor could ever be. The oil stays cleaner in your new cars because there are less contaminants getting by the rings.


Oil technology has changed so that folks can run the catalytic converters more reliable and efficiently (removal of a good portion of anti wear additives like ZDDP). I can't say that there was any improvement at all. It was mandated changes also part of the Clean Air Act and its revisions. The catalysts help burn off what ever left overs from combustion there are which are a lot less now than there was back when carburetors were still in use.


Ester based synthetics last for hundreds of ours in turbine engines but turbines don't have blow by and combustion contaminants to be concerned with like piston engines do. They just have high speed bearings to lubricate.


If synthetics could be thoroughly cleaned of contaminants, they would last as long as the engine but the stuff also has viscosity index polymers in there that break down so that stuff has to be cleaned out as well. Basically the only way to do that is to re-refine the oils. No filters work well enough to do that job.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2019, 09:22 AM   #19
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 4,992
Default Re: Engine Longevity

FWIW, in 1980 I bought a new Ford 1/2 ton w/a 300 CI 6 cylinder engine, when it had about 150,000 miles on it I decided to replace all the rod and main bearings. While I had it apart I decided to also replace the oil pump. I opted for a high volume pump (pumps about 25% more oil than stock). After this job I noticed that the oil a lot stayed cleaner. I suspect that more oil was going through the (full flow) filter than previous.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2019, 10:34 AM   #20
jimalabam
Senior Member
 
jimalabam's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lee County Alabama
Posts: 828
Default Re: Engine Longevity

Miles to go - Endless with proper maintenance...
jimalabam is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:48 PM.