"B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

I just bought a Model A Ford "cylinder head" at the Springfield, MO swap meet and it has a letter "B" on top of the head about an inch tall. No other markings. One guy told me it might be a "high compression" head. Does anyone know what the "B" stands for. Thanks

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

It is a higher compression had made by Ford for the police and emergency type vehicles. I believe it’s 5.2 ratio.

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

Ford came out with a high compression head for the Model A. Originally it was sold to police departments and became known as a Police Head. Later it was released to the general public. In order to identify it the letter B was placed on top of the head. Over the years this has caused a lot of confusion as in 1932 when the Model B was released (and through 1934) the heads had a letter C on them.

Charlie Stephens

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

Get it magnafluxed before using it,they are prone to cracking,excellent combustion chamber design.

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

And thus the myth that Ford made a Model "C" engine!

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

That is part of the myth of a Model C engine. Most of us call it a Model C if it has the cast counterbalanced crank which was changed without notice or new part number sometime after 1932 or 1933.

Richard
Anaheim CA

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

Also a late B called a "C" grind cam. .319 measured lift.

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

yes it is 5.2 compression.

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

This is why I have been calling it :

"The Police head with the large B" ... for more than 50 years. (5.2 to 1)

"The head with the large "C" for the other one. (4.6 to 1)

Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head
 

And "C" does not mean it has a counter balanced crank.