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Old 02-05-2024, 05:27 PM   #1
oldspert
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Default Rebuilt Model A engine

I picked up a Model A engine that has been rebuilt. Bored .080, crank counterweighted and turned .020 on rods and mains. Balanced with lightened flywheel and V8 clutch. All new valves and guides, adjustable lifters, new timing gear, and more. Just has been in a barn for many years, will have to be disassembled and cleaned up. Surface rust on everything that was exposed. Cam looks great and is a "B" grind. Should really make my 29 coupe a pleasure to drive.
Ed
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Old 02-05-2024, 05:37 PM   #2
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

Go man go. Drive it like you stole it!
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Old 02-05-2024, 06:07 PM   #3
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

Since taking it apart, I'd spend the extra 10 bucks and toss new valve springs in there. Enjoy!
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Old 02-05-2024, 06:09 PM   #4
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

Get a good gasket, and a high compression head. It make them run cooler (believe it or not). More pep too.
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Old 02-05-2024, 08:53 PM   #5
J Franklin
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

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Originally Posted by Smokedtires View Post
Since taking it apart, I'd spend the extra 10 bucks and toss new valve springs in there. Enjoy!
What purpose would different valve springs serve?
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Old 02-05-2024, 11:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokedtires View Post
Since taking it apart, I'd spend the extra 10 bucks and toss new valve springs in there. Enjoy!
Already has new springs, valve guides, and valves.
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Old 02-06-2024, 07:35 AM   #7
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

The valve springs can take a set with use but I doubt that sitting in a compressed condition will hurt them (the valves that have been open). If in doubt, check the spring rates or compare the free heights of the compressed springs with the others.
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Old 02-06-2024, 08:36 AM   #8
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by oldspert View Post
I picked up a Model A engine that has been rebuilt. Bored .080, crank counterweighted and turned .020 on rods and mains. Balanced with lightened flywheel and V8 clutch. All new valves and guides, adjustable lifters, new timing gear, and more. Just has been in a barn for many years, will have to be disassembled and cleaned up. Surface rust on everything that was exposed. Cam looks great and is a "B" grind. Should really make my 29 coupe a pleasure to drive.
Ed

How long was it sitting?
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Old 02-06-2024, 10:53 AM   #9
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How long was it sitting?
Do not know for sure. Probably at least eight to ten years.
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Old 02-06-2024, 11:30 AM   #10
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

There has been a battle raging ever since semi automatic handguns came out in the very early 1900’s: Does keeping the cartridge magazine fully loaded when the gun is not in regular use cause any alteration in the spring (weaken it, cause it to take a set, etc.). It’s been 120 years and the debate is still going. In my (humble) opinion, I would side with Smoked Tires. The cost of the springs is minimal and if you are taking the motor apart anyway I feel that it is just cheap insurance. Kudos on a good motor with a weighted crank (I’m assuming that you got a good deal on it and since the crank alone can be over $1,500 I’d say anything less than 3k is a good deal). Since you have been a member here since 2012 I’m going to assume that you know what you are doing and don’t need a bunch of coaching from the peanut gallery. I have a question (and it’s for my own information), you say that it has a “B” grind. How do you know? Can you tell by looking or is that just what you were told? I have 2 cams that I was told were B grind, and another that is a “high lift cam”. I can’t tell by looking myself and I tend to question what a seller tells me (half the time they are dishonest, half the time they are exaggerating, half the time they are ignorant, and half the time they are honest and know what they are talking about). I am debating as to wether I want to use any of these cams, I want to really know what I am using.
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Old 02-06-2024, 06:15 PM   #11
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

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What purpose would different valve springs serve?
Could help avoid valve float if some springs have been sitting compressed while others without compression. Could always check each springs compression rate if the gage is available. For me, it's just cheap insurance.

For my full roller engines, I was always told to replace springs to assure the valves are following the cam accurately.
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Old 02-07-2024, 12:20 AM   #12
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

Jeepguy, The only reason I say it has a "B" grind cam is because the paperwork I got with the engine said the cam was a "B" grind. How much difference it makes is any bodies guess. It has many more items that are documented also.
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Old 02-07-2024, 07:49 AM   #13
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

You can find the specification for the B cam here: https://www.tildentechnologies.com/C...rformance.html

If anyone know the specifications for the Strip camshaft, please publish them here.
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Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die.
Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
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Old 02-07-2024, 10:35 AM   #14
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokedtires View Post
Could always check each springs compression rate if the gage is available. For me, it's just cheap insurance.
If the specs are known it's easy to do w/a bathroom scale and a drill press.
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Old 02-07-2024, 11:01 AM   #15
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Default Re: Rebuilt Model A engine

According to a post on Model-A-Ford.org the intake lobe lift on the A cam is .302” vs the B at .334”. Could a micrometer be used? Of course this doesn’t account for ramp profile, but it might rule out having another A cam. Does this make sense?
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