The Ford Barn

mcgarrett · 11-18-2022, 08:57 PM

I have a Model A engine block with Serial #4869355. Vince Falter's website shows it to be made sometime in 1937. I'm wondering if it powered a Baldwin Gleaner combine, or was it made as a replacement block for automotive use? I'm interested in finding out more about what it was used for since it was cast so many years after the end of Model A engine production.

Gary WA · 11-18-2022, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

I have a Model A engine block with Serial #4869355. Vince Falter's website shows it to be made sometime in 1937. I'm wondering if it powered a Baldwin Gleaner combine, or was it made as a replacement block for automotive use? I'm interested in finding out more about what it was used for since it was cast so many years after the end of Model A engine production.

Does it have a Diamond by the water pump right side above timing gear cover?

40-A Twins · 11-18-2022, 09:57 PM

Is this a diamond block with exhaust valve seat inserts and B cam ?

Gary WA · 11-18-2022, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40-A Twins

Is this a diamond block with exhaust valve seat inserts and B cam ?

yes and should be a small plate with a date on it. behind oil tube as you can see on above motor not sure of the B cam

mcgarrett · 11-18-2022, 11:03 PM

All very good questions. I'll have to check the block and report back.

mcgarrett · 11-19-2022, 11:19 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Regarding Model A engine serial #4869355 - confirming that this IS a Diamond block with a casting date code of B207, which I believe would give it a production date of Feb. 20, 1937. Anyone know what application this engine would have had? Industrial powerplant, agricultural machinery, automotive replacement block??

mcgarrett · 11-19-2022, 03:25 PM

I can't remember - what was the significance of the Diamond casting?

Ernie Vitucci · 11-19-2022, 03:58 PM

Good afternoon...A diamond block was a block built as a replacement block after the last of the Model A's were built. They were built almost up to World War II. If you needed a new block...you could get one from Ford. Ernie in Arizona

johnneilson · 11-19-2022, 03:58 PM

The diamond indicates the casting came from a contractor, not a Ford foundry

Oldbluoval · 11-19-2022, 04:21 PM

They were also used later in farm and construction implements.
I have one that has an AC # (Allis Chalmers). Everything standard
Often those items didn’t have as many hours on them as cars

mcgarrett · 11-19-2022, 07:23 PM

Were the Diamond blocks known to be a better quality casting, or did they posses any other special attributes to make them more desirable than the normal Model A blocks, such as better alloy content?

Gary WA · 11-19-2022, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

I have a Model A engine block with Serial #4869355. Vince Falter's website shows it to be made sometime in 1937. I'm wondering if it powered a Baldwin Gleaner combine, or was it made as a replacement block for automotive use? I'm interested in finding out more about what it was used for since it was cast so many years after the end of Model A engine production.

https://www.fordgarage.com

lots of info your looking for on this Great site. Thanks to site owner for its use.

mcgarrett · 11-19-2022, 08:08 PM

Yes, Vince Falter's website is a treasure trove of Model A info.

nkaminar · 11-19-2022, 08:16 PM

MC, That diamond block was built for you to come across in 2022.

mcgarrett · 11-20-2022, 02:25 PM

nkaminar;
Now if I just had a car to put it in!

CarlG · 11-20-2022, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnneilson

The diamond indicates the casting came from a contractor, not a Ford foundry

First time I have heard that.

rotorwrench · 11-21-2022, 12:57 PM

As far as I've seen, the Baldwin Gleaner pull type combine engines have a "G" prefix on the engine serial number. This is Vince's info and consistent with what I've seen.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/gleanerbaldwin.htm

garyjohn · 11-21-2022, 01:10 PM

The engine that is currently in my car has a number that indicates it is a 1934 factory built replacement motor.

mcgarrett · 11-21-2022, 01:50 PM

Interesting information about the Gleaner engine numbers beginning with "G" and makes perfect sense in that context. My block has the "A" prefix before the serial number, so I suppose that would make it a replacement block for automotive use.

1crosscut · 11-21-2022, 09:34 PM

I have a Gleaner diamond block. The number is G733

11-18-2022, 08:57 PM	#1
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Very late Model A block - any other info? I have a Model A engine block with Serial #4869355. Vince Falter's website shows it to be made sometime in 1937. I'm wondering if it powered a Baldwin Gleaner combine, or was it made as a replacement block for automotive use? I'm interested in finding out more about what it was used for since it was cast so many years after the end of Model A engine production.

11-18-2022, 11:03 PM	#5
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? All very good questions. I'll have to check the block and report back.

11-19-2022, 11:19 AM	#6
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Regarding Model A engine serial #4869355 - confirming that this IS a Diamond block with a casting date code of B207, which I believe would give it a production date of Feb. 20, 1937. Anyone know what application this engine would have had? Industrial powerplant, agricultural machinery, automotive replacement block??

11-19-2022, 03:25 PM	#7
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? I can't remember - what was the significance of the Diamond casting?

11-19-2022, 03:58 PM	#8
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 619	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? Good afternoon...A diamond block was a block built as a replacement block after the last of the Model A's were built. They were built almost up to World War II. If you needed a new block...you could get one from Ford. Ernie in Arizona

11-19-2022, 03:58 PM	#9
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,067	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? The diamond indicates the casting came from a contractor, not a Ford foundry __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

11-19-2022, 04:21 PM	#10
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,386	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? They were also used later in farm and construction implements. I have one that has an AC # (Allis Chalmers). Everything standard Often those items didn’t have as many hours on them as cars

11-19-2022, 07:23 PM	#11
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? Were the Diamond blocks known to be a better quality casting, or did they posses any other special attributes to make them more desirable than the normal Model A blocks, such as better alloy content?

11-19-2022, 08:08 PM	#13
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? Yes, Vince Falter's website is a treasure trove of Model A info.

11-19-2022, 08:16 PM	#14
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,043	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? MC, That diamond block was built for you to come across in 2022. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. 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. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

11-20-2022, 02:25 PM	#15
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? nkaminar; Now if I just had a car to put it in!

11-21-2022, 12:57 PM	#17
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,505	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? As far as I've seen, the Baldwin Gleaner pull type combine engines have a "G" prefix on the engine serial number. This is Vince's info and consistent with what I've seen. https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/gleanerbaldwin.htm Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-21-2022 at 10:13 PM.

11-21-2022, 01:10 PM	#18
garyjohn Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Big Pine,CA Posts: 161	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? The engine that is currently in my car has a number that indicates it is a 1934 factory built replacement motor.

11-21-2022, 01:50 PM	#19
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 972	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? Interesting information about the Gleaner engine numbers beginning with "G" and makes perfect sense in that context. My block has the "A" prefix before the serial number, so I suppose that would make it a replacement block for automotive use.

11-21-2022, 09:34 PM	#20
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,927	Re: Very late Model A block - any other info? I have a Gleaner diamond block. The number is G733 __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska