The Ford Barn

29As · 09-09-2013, 07:28 PM

I have what aappears to be a stock Model A cylinder head, except it has the raised letters "MODEL A" on it, with no other markings. Was this a Ford-produced head, or does anyone know who made it and when? It appears identical to a stock (unmarked) original Model A head in all respects except for the letters on the top. Thank you.

Jim Parker Toronto · 09-09-2013, 07:45 PM

Aftermarket,would be my choice.....

glenn in camino · 09-09-2013, 07:50 PM

One time I bought a head at a swap meet that, in raised letters said FOR THE MODEL A. It had heart shaped combustion chambers and looked real good until I had it sandblasted and could see all the freeze cracks in it.

Purdy Swoft · 09-09-2013, 07:55 PM

I've seen two versions of the heads with model A in raised letters on the riser of the head. These heads are aftermarket . If it has a heart shaped combustion chamber it is higher compression , probably 5.0 to 5.2 compression. I have one with the raised letters that appears to have the original 4.2 compression. The one with heart shaped combustion would be a keeper. the other might bring $25.00 to $50.00 if you are lucky.

Bubby Sharp in KY · 09-09-2013, 10:20 PM

29As , I saw a pair of Model A heads being used as wheel chocks at Frog Follys car show flea market area at Evansville IN last month . Are they that cheap ? Bubby Sharp in KY

Benson · 09-09-2013, 10:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

As far as when they were made ... I have one with heart shaped chambers that I found in early 60's so they are at least that old.

Chambers look similar in size and shape to my head "with the large B" ... AKA Police head.

Tom Wesenberg · 09-10-2013, 12:19 AM

I had a head that had MODEL A FORD and the casting date. It was early 40's as I recall.

larrys40 · 09-10-2013, 12:26 AM

I agree with Purdy, see if it has a heart shape combustion chamber, check for cracks... and Bubby.. I bought those for $1.00 a piece! Just kidding... I must have missed them. I drive my stock '40 convert there running a Columbia overthere and I always come out of the swap meet with good Model A and flathead treasures. This year I bought a whole box of NOS for goodies for $20. NOS coils, ignition parts, etc . One year I bought a double diaghram dist advance for $3.. new in box They are about $200-$250

Good luck on the head. If it's not good they are plentiful.
Larry Shepard

29As · 09-10-2013, 08:09 AM

Back to my original post. It resembles a stock head in every way, including the 4.2 combustion chambers (they are not heart-shaped). The only difference I can see from a stock 4.2 head is the raised letters "MODEL A" on the riser of the head. It checks out good with no warp and no cracks. I just wanted an idea of who produced it, if anyone knows (Ford, Sears, ???). Does anyone run one like this on thier car and have they had any problems? (I can hear the comments already from the purists!) Thanks for all the responses.

Purdy Swoft · 09-10-2013, 10:04 AM

If its not cracked or warped and you need a head it should work fine. You could carefully grind off the letters and sandblast and only the worse fanatics would be able to find a difference between it and the original head.

09-09-2013, 07:28 PM	#1
29As Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Nebraska Posts: 10	"Model A" Cylinder Head I have what aappears to be a stock Model A cylinder head, except it has the raised letters "MODEL A" on it, with no other markings. Was this a Ford-produced head, or does anyone know who made it and when? It appears identical to a stock (unmarked) original Model A head in all respects except for the letters on the top. Thank you.

09-09-2013, 07:45 PM	#2
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head Aftermarket,would be my choice.....

09-09-2013, 07:50 PM	#3
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head One time I bought a head at a swap meet that, in raised letters said FOR THE MODEL A. It had heart shaped combustion chambers and looked real good until I had it sandblasted and could see all the freeze cracks in it.

09-09-2013, 07:55 PM	#4
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head I've seen two versions of the heads with model A in raised letters on the riser of the head. These heads are aftermarket . If it has a heart shaped combustion chamber it is higher compression , probably 5.0 to 5.2 compression. I have one with the raised letters that appears to have the original 4.2 compression. The one with heart shaped combustion would be a keeper. the other might bring $25.00 to $50.00 if you are lucky.

09-09-2013, 10:20 PM	#5
Bubby Sharp in KY Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gilbertsville KY Posts: 82	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head 29As , I saw a pair of Model A heads being used as wheel chocks at Frog Follys car show flea market area at Evansville IN last month . Are they that cheap ? Bubby Sharp in KY

09-09-2013, 10:53 PM	#6
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,599	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As far as when they were made ... I have one with heart shaped chambers that I found in early 60's so they are at least that old. Chambers look similar in size and shape to my head "with the large B" ... AKA Police head.

09-10-2013, 12:19 AM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head I had a head that had MODEL A FORD and the casting date. It was early 40's as I recall.

09-10-2013, 12:26 AM	#8
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head I agree with Purdy, see if it has a heart shape combustion chamber, check for cracks... and Bubby.. I bought those for $1.00 a piece! Just kidding... I must have missed them. I drive my stock '40 convert there running a Columbia overthere and I always come out of the swap meet with good Model A and flathead treasures. This year I bought a whole box of NOS for goodies for $20. NOS coils, ignition parts, etc . One year I bought a double diaghram dist advance for $3.. new in box They are about $200-$250 Good luck on the head. If it's not good they are plentiful. Larry Shepard

09-10-2013, 08:09 AM	#9
29As Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Nebraska Posts: 10	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head Back to my original post. It resembles a stock head in every way, including the 4.2 combustion chambers (they are not heart-shaped). The only difference I can see from a stock 4.2 head is the raised letters "MODEL A" on the riser of the head. It checks out good with no warp and no cracks. I just wanted an idea of who produced it, if anyone knows (Ford, Sears, ???). Does anyone run one like this on thier car and have they had any problems? (I can hear the comments already from the purists!) Thanks for all the responses.

09-10-2013, 10:04 AM	#10
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: "Model A" Cylinder Head If its not cracked or warped and you need a head it should work fine. You could carefully grind off the letters and sandblast and only the worse fanatics would be able to find a difference between it and the original head.