Model B Block Boss on side of block

[Vintage Car Hoarder]

20240515_223042.jpg
Some Model B motors have a boss on the side below the water neck. What is it for, what is the story of it?

[Charlie Stephens]

Ford engineers were developing a vacuum assisted clutch and this was where the vacuum cylinder mounted. The unit never made it to production but a lot of motors were produced with this boss. The unit picked up vacuum from the intake manifold and the early manifolds had a large port in the front. This large port was used for the vacuum windshield wiper for a lot of motors. Attached is a picture of the manifold. First picture has the large port in the front and the second picture is a later manifold without.

Charlie Stephens

[Vintage Car Hoarder]

Thank you!

[Hitman]

...

[Keith True]

I've read about the vacuum clutch thing,but I don't know if any were built.I've never seen a picture anyway.This is the first time I've heard about vacuum assisted brakes,where could I find that info? (I like to study these oddball things)

[Benson]

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Originally Posted by Keith True

I've read about the vacuum clutch thing, but I don't know if any were built. I've never seen a picture anyway. This is the first time I've heard about vacuum assisted brakes, where could I find that info? (I like to study these oddball things)

Vince Falter has info on the Vacuum assisted clutch.

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/Bintakevariation.htm

As far as I know there never was vacuum assisted BRAKES.

I have a diagram of clutch proposed setup on one of the computers at the shop or at the house.

EDITED: turns out it was the Auto transmission I was thinking about see next post.

[Benson]

There was an Automatic transmission that Cartwright CORP came out with in July 1931.

Also there was a vacuum assisted clutch that Bendix came out with.

It is not clear if either one of these used the changes to the block discussed above.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Benson

Vince Falter has info on the Vacuum assisted clutch.

https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/Bintakevariation.htm

As far as I know there never was vacuum assisted BRAKES.

I have a diagram of clutch proposed setup on one of the computers at the shop or at the house.

EDITED: turns out it was the Auto transmission I was thinking about see next post.

It never seises to amaze me how much info is on Vince Falter's Ford Garage site. Thanks, Vince.

[Vintage Car Hoarder]

I was aware of the vacuum assisted clutch (definitely clutch not brakes) but I did not know that had anything to do with the boss. Here is the picture showing all.
20240516_235909.jpg
Thank you for your assistance

[Synchro909]

Thank you for that picture but what is that thingy on the front of the engine near the generator? The switch on the starter looks to be backwards too.
I wonder whether a vacuum assisted clutch never went into production because the pedal and the cylinder would be on opposite sides of the car on a RHD car. Besides, there is no room for the cylinder on such a car because the steering column is already there.

[mcgarrett]

Synchro,
The item you mention on the front of the engine behind the fan looks like a vibration damper/isolator. If you look closely, you can see two supports that run from it down to where the engine would mount to the frame.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

Synchro,
The item you mention on the front of the engine behind the fan looks like a vibration damper/isolator. If you look closely, you can see two supports that run from it down to where the engine would mount to the frame.

Thanks, I can see that now. Were they another thing that never went into production?