I need a Project

[bobv]

Originally Posted by Richard Knight

I am in the new steering box camp.1937 is the first year for recirculating ball steering in a Ford. I was shocked at how easy the steering was when I drove a 37.

I was surprised how very easy to steer my 37 was.

[2speed]

I would like to see modifications to the Burtz block to mitigate leaks/leak paths.


For the main bearing studs, there's no reason to have them as through bolts. They could be a blind stud on the bearing, and then have a dummy bolt epoxied/glued on the outside to pass for judging.


I would like the auxiliary oil passages for overhead valve conversions be able to have plugs put in that would not require gooping up the valve cover bolts to stop the leaks.


The rear main could have an o ring groove machined around the bearing to seal that? Not sure on this one as I can't remember/picture what it looks like.

[Mike1291]

I believe the spirit of the Burtz company is in making products with good performance but appear stock. So my suggestion to Terry is to build his brand image around that idea.

If I were in the mood to make something different, I'd make something that A) Does not have have an alternative solution and B) has the potential for high demand

Many of the options proposed by the folks on here are good, but we already have a Burtz block (and all the engine goodies) and Mitchell doing overdrives and transmissions, and a soon-to-be new F100 box. So maybe something on the intake/exhaust side?

I always dreamed of having a performance-oriented updraft intake/carburettor that's bigger than the current "B". Even a single Stromberg flows more air than a B carb. But you need to get a fuel pump and end up with something that sticks out.

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by Mike1291

I believe the spirit of the Burtz company is in making products with good performance but appear stock. So my suggestion to Terry is to build his brand image around that idea.

If I were in the mood to make something different, I'd make something that A) Does not have an alternative solution and B) has the potential for high demand

This is a good summary of the firm's current brand identity and market opportunities. I would add that they don't seem interested in "send me your X, I send you back Y" products, which would make it hard to develop a turnkey steering box.

After the water pump, the set of purely mechanical components that can be optimized within the stock silhouette will have been pretty much exhausted. You would need to branch out, either developing a product that's clearly non-stock appearance, or moving into something like the electrical system.

[Terry Burtz, Calif]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and comments.

To manufacture a new part, it must have a positive ROI (Return on Investment). The parts we manufacture have positive ROIs because they appear original, have hidden features to correct design shortcomings, and there is a high demand.

Many of the suggested parts (synchromesh transmission, intake manifold for Model B carburetor, F100 steering gears, higher 2nd transmission gear, larger carburetor, and vibration dampers) are already in production by others.

Some parts (automatic transmissions, overdrive transmissions) would be too large to fit into housings and maintain a stock appearance.

Other parts (two-up and two-down crankshafts and camshafts) will never have a positive ROI.

I have to wonder about the cast-iron high-compression head for a Model T. I see the aluminum ones in Lang's and Snyder's catalogs, but I wonder why they don't offer a cast-iron head.

Some parts (Model T and V-8 cylinder blocks) would take too much of my time and would be too expensive to have me direct other engineers.

I have no interest in copying a stock Model A cylinder block because, other than better material, it would have the same shortcomings as an original cylinder block. Original, Burlington, and Scat crankshafts all will have a fatigue failure at the #4 connecting rod journal before a cylinder block failure. The New Engine patterns for the cope and drag, and core boxes for the water jacket, and the exhaust ports could be used to save money. All other cores would require new core boxes. There would be no ROI because it would take too much of my time and would be too expensive to have me direct other engineers.

In response to the poster who wants me to change the design of the new cylinder block to relocate main bearing studs 1 and 3 and eliminate oil leaks. The stud locations cannot be changed because they are in the same place as the original studs, and the only way to machine the seat for the castellated nuts is back-spot facing. Every potential oil leak path is discussed in the Builder's Guide.

Egge pistons are often "out of stock" because they are unable to make them fast enough to keep up with demand. I have a piston design that is lighter and stronger than the Egge design. Lighter reduces connecting rod stress, and makes the engine more responsive. Stronger allows higher RPM. If we can produce pistons for a competitive price, we will offer them.

I congratulate Arnold for making a ceramic/carbon seal water pump, but I don't like that it doesn't look like original. The water pump I designed will look like an original Model A water pump, and I have sent step files to my son Jesse for 3-D printing.

The following pictures show details of the new printed piston.

[Bruce of MN]

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How do modern engine pistons get away with much shorter skirts?

[alexiskai]

Isn’t the throw a lot shorter in modern designs?

[Fullraceflathead]

When you consider the operating RPM range of the stock model A. engine even the stock pistons could be substantially lightened!!!

[duke36]

NEW Front 10 Leaf spring with proper spring rate and dimensions to match the A Springs offerings, now unavailable.. These were the best repros of all that fit properly with a strong main bottom leaf.

[JOES31]

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

Terry, please look into building a New Model A Steering Gear Box that is patterned off of the F-100 box with the rolling sector gear element, or it could be the "recirculating ball" design used in the 1950s.

The only improved steering gear box alternative today is the F-100 conversion, and the number of these units available to modify to fit the Model A are limited and shrinking.

It would be good if the New Model A Steering Gear Box had a modern sector shaft seal, and a seal or tube at the bottom for the horn rod to go through without oil leaking. We put up with entirely too much oil leakage.

It does NOT need needle bearings on the sector shaft; that is not a good application for this style bearing. Bushings are good, perhaps with a grease fitting.

I don't know how the F-100 box is adjusted, but some form of external adjustment would be really good on the New Steering Gear Box, similar to the 2-tooth stock gear box.

Similar to what is done with the F-100 box conversions, the top of the gear box should accept the steering column tube to slide down over the top and clamp on.

The more the New Model A Steering Gear Box could look like an original 2-tooth box, the better.

I think the F-100 box is more turns "lock to lock" than a stock Model A box. I think that's OK, but not required. With the F-100 box, we get what we get in terms of ratio and turns. Your New Model A Steering Gear Box could closely match the stock Model A ratio (or be a bit more favorable).

It probably needs to be manufactured with a couple of different steering shaft lengths, to accommodate the 1929 steering column and the '30-'31 column. That is a detail that would have to be studied. I don't know if you want to try to accommodate the 1928 and early-'29 columns (currently 7-tooth).

Thanks for asking for ideas.

Jim-This is already in the works. I don't know the details but it is happening.

[Bruce of MN]

Originally Posted by duke36

NEW Front 10 Leaf spring with proper spring rate and dimensions to match the A Springs offerings, now unavailable.. These were the best repros of all that fit properly with a strong main bottom leaf.

That would be very good.

[Dodge]

Here is a 3D printed mock up piston with modern short skirt going in a Burtz Block.
This is for a Dual Overhead Cam head.

[Synchro909]

Terry, Whatever you diced to make I will probably want one but shipping is a killer. Please make it something small and light.��

[Hotrodfil]

Originally Posted by Terry Burtz, Calif

Egge pistons are often "out of stock" because they are unable to make them fast enough to keep up with demand. I have a piston design that is lighter and stronger than the Egge design. Lighter reduces connecting rod stress, and makes the engine more responsive. Stronger allows higher RPM. If we can produce pistons for a competitive price, we will offer them.

I congratulate Arnold for making a ceramic/carbon seal water pump, but I don't like that it doesn't look like original. The water pump I designed will look like an original Model A water pump, and I have sent step files to my son Jesse for 3-D printing.

The following pictures show details of the new printed piston.

A reliable supply of pistons would be welcome. I'd like to build another engine soon for a new project and we can't get Egge ones anywhere. And waterpumps are always a misery. The stainless shaft 'leakless' pump on my Tourer objected to holding back water recently. Turns out it contained three lip seals, two of which had failed and filled the needle roller with coolant, seizing it to the shaft.

[Terry Burtz, Calif]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Terry, Whatever you diced to make I will probably want one but shipping is a killer. Please make it something small and light.��

Arnold, you should be buying parts from Dean Roberts, who is our importer for Australia.

Dean receives partial container loads directly from China. If you buy from Dean, transportation is cheaper, American tariffs do not apply, and you don't have to pay for going through the Panama Canal.

[MrBruce]

Snyder's already has it. A-9425-X $110.00

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Terry Burtz, Calif

Arnold, you should be buying parts from Dean Roberts, who is our importer for Australia.

Dean receives partial container loads directly from China. If you buy from Dean, transportation is cheaper, American tariffs do not apply, and you don't have to pay for going through the Panama Canal.

I have known Dean for years and I bought my engine from him. Unfortunately, none of the nice "extras" that are available now were not then.
I agree about close proximity to China being an advantage in this case but Dean is about 3,500 Km away on the other side of the continent so shipping from there to here adds $.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by JayJay

Synchro - I’ve tried to source these dampers without luck. Do you have a current source?

Murray Horn's son, Chris Horn has taken over the business. Contact him at [email protected]. I just received my second one a couple of months ago.

They only do the two piece now, the one on my Town Sedan in a one piece. I recommend the reverse scroll on the snout, it eliminates and front seal leaks.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by Jim/GA

Terry, please look into building a New Model A Steering Gear Box that is patterned off of the F-100 box with the rolling sector gear element, or it could be the "recirculating ball" design used in the 1950s.

They are already in the works. I held the casting in my hands a couple weeks ago. They will be all new parts.

[katy]

Originally Posted by MrBruce

Snyder's already has it. A-9425-X $110.00

Intake manifold