The Ford Barn

EAV8 · 08-18-2019, 02:58 PM

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

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-18-2019, 04:04 PM

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

Charlie Stephens · 08-18-2019, 04:04 PM

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

Railcarmover · 08-18-2019, 05:22 PM

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

40 Deluxe · 08-18-2019, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

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

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

Richard in Anaheim CA · 08-18-2019, 05:48 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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

Railcarmover · 08-18-2019, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in Anaheim CA

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

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

jim1932 · 08-20-2019, 03:13 PM

yes it is 5.2 compression.

Benson · 08-20-2019, 03:47 PM

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)

redmodelt · 08-20-2019, 07:56 PM

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

08-18-2019, 02:58 PM	#1
EAV8 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 68	"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

08-18-2019, 04:04 PM	#2
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,436	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.

08-18-2019, 04:04 PM	#3
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,320	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

08-18-2019, 05:22 PM	#4
Railcarmover BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,262	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.

08-18-2019, 05:48 PM	#6
Richard in Anaheim CA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Anaheim California Posts: 562	Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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

08-20-2019, 03:13 PM	#8
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,818	Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head yes it is 5.2 compression. __________________ Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW

08-20-2019, 03:47 PM	#9
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Highlands, Cen~Col Posts: 2,896	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) Last edited by Benson; 08-20-2019 at 03:53 PM.

08-20-2019, 07:56 PM	#10
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,458	Re: "B" on top of Model A Ford cylinder head And "C" does not mean it has a counter balanced crank. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!