The Ford Barn

Dave in Denver · 10-17-2011, 08:51 PM

Decided to drive my 1930 Tudor Seadn to work today. It is a nice 25 mile drive along two lane country roads. It bgan to rain this morning hafl way into the trip but all was good, the car was running smooth, no leaks and the traffic was light. It was a good day at work, no issues, spent some time staring out the window at the Model A etc. Got in the car for the drive home, even left a few minutes early so it would be an enjoyable drive. About half way home leaving a stop light, i shift from 1st to second at 10 mph, shift from 2nd to third at 30mph on my way to 45 mph. No sooner do I shift into 3rd and I feel a BOOM!!! (at least it felt like an explosion) from in front of me. I shift into neutral and coast to the side of the road. with my heart in my stomach. As I get out I look for a puddle of oil. (None to be found) open each side of the hood looking for a gapping hole in the block (none to be found). As I look around for evidence of what happened, I pull on the fan belt and it turns. Not only does it turn but I also see the crank pulley turning. I know from working on this car and my truck after (making sure I did not have spinach for lunch) I am not strong enough to turn over 4 banger by using the fan belt. Without opening the oil pan or pulling the head I am guessing I snapped the crankshaft.

Now I only hope that the block and pistons are still OK.

Has anyone else ever experience the sudden boom and the coast ot the road and gain the ability to rotate the crank from the fan belt?

Also if the crankshaft did split, is the engine rebuildable? or should I start from scratch.

Just before the engine cratered it was running so smooth.

The engine was a inserted, non-pressureized Model A Ford Engine with Riley Two Port (Serial #61) on top, fed by a weber 32/36 dgv and sparked by pertronix, backed up by a mitchell transmission and a mitchell over drive. It has been in service for approx 9 years and about 4000 miles.

I do have a very good partner in the hobby in my wife. After I called her she came to meet me with the truck and a tow strap and my Tudor was pulled all the way home.

Dave

10-17-2011, 08:51 PM	#1
Dave in Denver Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 67	Day goes from good to bad in one shift Decided to drive my 1930 Tudor Seadn to work today. It is a nice 25 mile drive along two lane country roads. It bgan to rain this morning hafl way into the trip but all was good, the car was running smooth, no leaks and the traffic was light. It was a good day at work, no issues, spent some time staring out the window at the Model A etc. Got in the car for the drive home, even left a few minutes early so it would be an enjoyable drive. About half way home leaving a stop light, i shift from 1st to second at 10 mph, shift from 2nd to third at 30mph on my way to 45 mph. No sooner do I shift into 3rd and I feel a BOOM!!! (at least it felt like an explosion) from in front of me. I shift into neutral and coast to the side of the road. with my heart in my stomach. As I get out I look for a puddle of oil. (None to be found) open each side of the hood looking for a gapping hole in the block (none to be found). As I look around for evidence of what happened, I pull on the fan belt and it turns. Not only does it turn but I also see the crank pulley turning. I know from working on this car and my truck after (making sure I did not have spinach for lunch) I am not strong enough to turn over 4 banger by using the fan belt. Without opening the oil pan or pulling the head I am guessing I snapped the crankshaft. Now I only hope that the block and pistons are still OK. Has anyone else ever experience the sudden boom and the coast ot the road and gain the ability to rotate the crank from the fan belt? Also if the crankshaft did split, is the engine rebuildable? or should I start from scratch. Just before the engine cratered it was running so smooth. The engine was a inserted, non-pressureized Model A Ford Engine with Riley Two Port (Serial #61) on top, fed by a weber 32/36 dgv and sparked by pertronix, backed up by a mitchell transmission and a mitchell over drive. It has been in service for approx 9 years and about 4000 miles. I do have a very good partner in the hobby in my wife. After I called her she came to meet me with the truck and a tow strap and my Tudor was pulled all the way home. Dave