The Ford Barn

Joe K · 10-31-2013, 10:22 PM

The model A engine governor used on the Gordon-Smith Compressors is a "Pierce Governor" which is a company which is still in business - but alas they no longer make the Model A adapted unit.

The Model A Pierce governor is nice though. It has a special timing gear cover and is gear driven directly from the timing gear itself. It is slave lubed by the engine from the distributor shaft hole below the valve chamber, with return oil going back by way of the timing gear path. I have seen these sell on Ebay for as little as $30 (one at $60) and found one myself at a flea market table for $20.

Pierce and their sister company Hoof Governors made belt driven governors as well. They were combined together in some past business deal and now Pierce handles both designs. The belt driven Hoof version is what Pierce governor sells today.

And not to sneeze at a belt driven governor - Gordon-Smith gave directions for application of either kind to air compressor service. One only has to weigh the failure possibility of a gear drive versus a belt drive in the comparison. Given the fiber timing gears, one might not be preferable over the other.

A lot of belt driven Hoof or Pierce governors are available on Ebay. Right now about four or five at prices varying from $20 to over $800. The high prices are market rakers though - sales to those who don't know how common a device a governor is and need, no, require a one for one replacement.

Gravely tractors were a common use for Hoof/Pierce governors. Also Hobart motor driven welders. Also WWII jeeps and their later brethren the CJ2A and beyond. All of these governors are seen on Ebay and could be adapted to the Model A engine. They're all very similar.

If you purchase a Hoof/Pierce governor or want to know more about what you are buying, you can take the Pierce/hoof model number and "google" it. At least one rebuilder of these units is online and has published manufacturer's data.

Hope this helps. I learned all of this sourcing a Pierce/Hoof unit for application to a VW 1.6 diesel engine to drive an AC generator.

Joe K

10-31-2013, 10:22 PM	#21
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Model A as a Power Unit The model A engine governor used on the Gordon-Smith Compressors is a "Pierce Governor" which is a company which is still in business - but alas they no longer make the Model A adapted unit. The Model A Pierce governor is nice though. It has a special timing gear cover and is gear driven directly from the timing gear itself. It is slave lubed by the engine from the distributor shaft hole below the valve chamber, with return oil going back by way of the timing gear path. I have seen these sell on Ebay for as little as $30 (one at $60) and found one myself at a flea market table for $20. Pierce and their sister company Hoof Governors made belt driven governors as well. They were combined together in some past business deal and now Pierce handles both designs. The belt driven Hoof version is what Pierce governor sells today. And not to sneeze at a belt driven governor - Gordon-Smith gave directions for application of either kind to air compressor service. One only has to weigh the failure possibility of a gear drive versus a belt drive in the comparison. Given the fiber timing gears, one might not be preferable over the other. A lot of belt driven Hoof or Pierce governors are available on Ebay. Right now about four or five at prices varying from $20 to over $800. The high prices are market rakers though - sales to those who don't know how common a device a governor is and need, no, require a one for one replacement. Gravely tractors were a common use for Hoof/Pierce governors. Also Hobart motor driven welders. Also WWII jeeps and their later brethren the CJ2A and beyond. All of these governors are seen on Ebay and could be adapted to the Model A engine. They're all very similar. If you purchase a Hoof/Pierce governor or want to know more about what you are buying, you can take the Pierce/hoof model number and "google" it. At least one rebuilder of these units is online and has published manufacturer's data. Hope this helps. I learned all of this sourcing a Pierce/Hoof unit for application to a VW 1.6 diesel engine to drive an AC generator. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.