Motor question.
 

Hello everyone. Mickey C here. I have been a Hamb member for quite a

while. Several years ago I bought a 31 Model A coupe while in California.
It is an original car with a knock in the motor. This did not concern me as
I planned to hot rod this car. Now I have changed my mind. I have begun to
appreciate the little car for what it is. Now I find my self beginning to prepare
for a sympathetic repair and refurbish with out a full blown restoration.
To that end I have acquired a complete Diamond block motor that is said to run very well. I removed the fill tube from the block to look into the crank case. I did not observe the tray in the oil pan that retains oil for the rod ends to did into for oil distribution. I have seen reference to this appliance in 28
and 29 motors. My question is should this later year replacement motor have
this item in the oil pan? I have not looked in to the original motor as of yet
to see if there is one in place. This concerns me a good deal because I understand it was an important element in proper oil distribution.
Thanks for any tips or information anyone may care to share with me.
I am excited to get the coupe running and drive a lot.

Re: Motor question.
 

The dipper tray is how the rod bearings get oil in a stock engine so you wouldn't get
very far if it was missing.

Re: Motor question.
 

Hi Mickey.

Like Bob C said, that dipper tray is pretty important.

You may have to buy an entire oil pan assembly to get a tray.

The oil pans do differ a bit. Earlier pans have a removable round plate on the bottom (oil pump access), and the later ones don't. I think there was a dipper tray height adjustment made by the factory at some point too. Its good to research this before you fix or buy something.

Good luck.
.

Re: Motor question.
 

If this motor runs very well, that means it’s been run. If there is no dipper tray, then it should’ve burned up. I wonder if you have a pressurized oil system. If you were to pull the oil Galley/valve cover, then, if it was full oil pressure you would see the plumbing.

Re: Motor question.
 

Thanks guys. I have had this A for several years and am just now getting into
making it serviceable, so I can tool around town in it. After again pulling the

oil filler tube out of the block and looking more thoroughly I in fact did see that the
drip tray appears to be in place! This was a large relief! Now on to several more issues

I have identified. Most are strait forward and understandable. I am sure I will have
many more questions and appreciate the response from the knowledgeable members
here.

Re: Motor question.
 

Mickey, I think you called me a while back on a 63 Galaxie I was selling.

Re: Motor question.
 

Hello Dave. I did speak with you regarding the Galaxie. I also regret not buying
the car. Your workmanship and attention to detail on the Galaxie was superb. As

it happened I had some serious family health issues arise at the time. This caused me

to hesitate on pursuing the purchase further. The time to buy something a person
wants is when you see it. I would think the new owner is enjoying that hot rod
very much.