The Ford Barn

toms32 · 03-10-2018, 11:29 AM

I have an opportunity to purchase a model B head for my model A engine. Will this help in performance ? Are their any other things that I have to do to install the model B head ? Any guidance would be appreciated. Tom

Kurt in NJ · 03-10-2018, 11:47 AM

The head that looks like the a head wit B on it just bolts on--- look for cracks in the center

The model "B"head with the C on it you need the matching watwepump and head gasket to match

Jim Brierley · 03-10-2018, 11:49 AM

The '32-'34 heads have a large 'C' cast on the top, and are a little higher compression than the A head, and a 3-bolt water pump rather than the 4-bolt on the A heads. If your head has a large B cast on top, it is a 'police Special' made by Ford for ... you guessed it, police cars. It would have even (slightly) higher compression ratio than the C head. Both will increase the power of your A, and have no ill effects on the engine. I'm not sure but believe both had less than 5:1 compression, not very much by today's standard.

Bob C · 03-10-2018, 11:51 AM

If you asking about the 1932-34 head I don't see much gain. The compression ratio
of the A head is 4.2 and the B head is 4.6 plus the 1932 water pump can be expensive.

Bob

Benson · 03-10-2018, 12:44 PM

head with Large C is called "B head" is 4.6 with 3 bolt water pump

Head with large B is 5.2 with 4 bolt water pump called Police head was originally sold ONLY to Police departments starting sometime in 1930 or 31 then later sold to public.

I have run a "head with the large B" 5.2 on several different A and B engines for total of 55,000 miles since 1962 no ill effects.

I went on the Mt Evans run with one of the Model A Clubs in 62 or 63. Starts in Denver at 5200 feet and goes to top of Mt Evans at 14,260 feet.

We stopped at Idaho Springs for lunch and a couple of guys with shinny "fine point" cars were pointing out ALL the things that were "wrong" about my Sport Coupe in "fine point" detail ... one thing after another!

Finally after 10-15 minutes of this jabber one fellow listening to all of this, asked "How come his car outruns all the other cars?".

Bill Kenz who was listening to all of this said "That is because he has a Police Head on his car."

Mr. Fine point said "What is a Police Head??" Duh!

Chuck Sea/Tac · 03-10-2018, 12:51 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

[QUOTE=Benson;1603313]head with Large C is called "B head" is 4.6 with 3 bolt water pump
????? Then would the head with the large B be called “C” head? Just curious?

daren007 · 03-10-2018, 12:52 PM

How does the water outlet line up with the radiator?

Benson · 03-10-2018, 01:14 PM

[QUOTE=Chuck Sea/Tac;1603314]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benson

head with Large C is called "B head" is 4.6 with 3 bolt water pump
????? Then would the head with the large B be called “C” head? Just curious?

The head with the Large B was called a Police Head originally came on Model A engines.

"Head with Large C" is called a B head because it was installed on Model B engines..

This is why for 55 years I have been calling them

"THe head with the Large B" 5.2 AKA Police head

And the "head with the large C" 4.6 to eliminate confusion.

Growley bear · 03-10-2018, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daren007

How does the water outlet line up with the radiator?

The outlet aligns well; my Model A hose was an inch or so short so a longer hose is needed.

03-10-2018, 11:29 AM	#1
toms32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,213	model B head I have an opportunity to purchase a model B head for my model A engine. Will this help in performance ? Are their any other things that I have to do to install the model B head ? Any guidance would be appreciated. Tom

03-10-2018, 11:47 AM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: model B head The head that looks like the a head wit B on it just bolts on--- look for cracks in the center The model "B"head with the C on it you need the matching watwepump and head gasket to match

03-10-2018, 11:49 AM	#3
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,088	Re: model B head The '32-'34 heads have a large 'C' cast on the top, and are a little higher compression than the A head, and a 3-bolt water pump rather than the 4-bolt on the A heads. If your head has a large B cast on top, it is a 'police Special' made by Ford for ... you guessed it, police cars. It would have even (slightly) higher compression ratio than the C head. Both will increase the power of your A, and have no ill effects on the engine. I'm not sure but believe both had less than 5:1 compression, not very much by today's standard.

03-10-2018, 11:51 AM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: model B head If you asking about the 1932-34 head I don't see much gain. The compression ratio of the A head is 4.2 and the B head is 4.6 plus the 1932 water pump can be expensive. Bob

03-10-2018, 12:44 PM	#5
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,597	Re: model B head head with Large C is called "B head" is 4.6 with 3 bolt water pump Head with large B is 5.2 with 4 bolt water pump called Police head was originally sold ONLY to Police departments starting sometime in 1930 or 31 then later sold to public. I have run a "head with the large B" 5.2 on several different A and B engines for total of 55,000 miles since 1962 no ill effects. I went on the Mt Evans run with one of the Model A Clubs in 62 or 63. Starts in Denver at 5200 feet and goes to top of Mt Evans at 14,260 feet. We stopped at Idaho Springs for lunch and a couple of guys with shinny "fine point" cars were pointing out ALL the things that were "wrong" about my Sport Coupe in "fine point" detail ... one thing after another! Finally after 10-15 minutes of this jabber one fellow listening to all of this, asked "How come his car outruns all the other cars?". Bill Kenz who was listening to all of this said "That is because he has a Police Head on his car." Mr. Fine point said "What is a Police Head??" Duh! Last edited by Benson; 03-10-2018 at 01:45 PM.

03-10-2018, 12:51 PM	#6
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: model B head Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) [QUOTE=Benson;1603313]head with Large C is called "B head" is 4.6 with 3 bolt water pump ????? Then would the head with the large B be called “C” head? Just curious?

03-10-2018, 12:52 PM	#7
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: model B head How does the water outlet line up with the radiator?