The Ford Barn

DavisAir · 02-05-2024, 01:20 AM

I’m looking for a unique Ford A that was converted for aircraft use and renamed a Straughan AL-1000 engine. It had an aluminum high compression head like in the pictures posted. There was one head sold on here maybe around 2017? Think it went to St. Louis area. Any info of anyone having this engine or seeing one would be appreciated. They were made in Oklahoma City in the mid 30’s.

nkaminar · 02-05-2024, 12:26 PM

First comment is that head has a unique combustion chamber design.

Second comment is that if you are looking for a museum piece than continue looking for an original engine. If you are going to fly it then I would suggest building a duplicate reproduction starting with a Burtz block.

ebrand57 · 02-05-2024, 02:28 PM

Extremely interesting. Here is a link to the (or a) plane that this engine was used in:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiley_Post_Model_A

It appears from the article that maybe one airframe exists? Anybody have any information?

Ethan Brand

ebrand57 · 02-05-2024, 02:49 PM

Hi
A bit of internet sleuthing:
Barry appears to own a possibly airworthy Wiley Post Model A aircraft, NC13957...which used the subject converted Model A engine. Perhaps Barry can help you.
All this information was found in public internet databases.

Good luck. Extremely interesting.

Barry Mcclure
934 Eagle Isle Ct, Osprey, FL 34229-6876
(941) 416-2396 - Wireless
(941) 966-9715 - Landline

Regards,

Ethan Brand

DavisAir · 02-05-2024, 03:24 PM

This engine in the pictures is Barry’s engine from that aircraft. Just seeing if any other original parts were out there. I know of that one head that was posted and sold on here and that’s all. There is two aircraft left with their original engines out of maybe 13 built but maybe the engines survived are are in storage. Was supposedly one in TX but has since faded away.

rotorwrench · 02-05-2024, 04:49 PM

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This was an obscure engine conversion for an even more obscure airplane design that was very limited in popularity and was a redesign from the original parasol winged monoplane that it started out to be. The information that is available is spotty and suspect of accuracy but it states that there were only 13 made. They mention a Ross Holmes and a Glenn Stearman as designers. Glenn Stearman should not be confused with Lloyd Stearman who was a legend in early aircraft design and one of the pioneers of aviation.

The Pietenpol Sky Camper was a more popular design and it also was set up to be able use the Ford Model A engine. That cylinder head chamber design it questionable when compared to other more modern high compression aluminum heads.

ebrand57 · 02-05-2024, 06:07 PM

Have you posted in the EAA forum...or other older aircraft sites? I assume so..but worth asking.

Museums? How about Owls Head Maine? Great place, with lots of flying antique planes.

I had a 1948 Stinson for a while. With its original Franklin 165.

Good luck with the hunt.

Is this plane airworthy?

Ethan Brand

02-05-2024, 12:26 PM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Looking for a Unique Model A Engine First comment is that head has a unique combustion chamber design. Second comment is that if you are looking for a museum piece than continue looking for an original engine. If you are going to fly it then I would suggest building a duplicate reproduction starting with a Burtz block. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-05-2024, 02:28 PM	#3
ebrand57 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Roscommon, MI Posts: 15	Re: Looking for a Unique Model A Engine Extremely interesting. Here is a link to the (or a) plane that this engine was used in: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiley_Post_Model_A It appears from the article that maybe one airframe exists? Anybody have any information? Ethan Brand

02-05-2024, 02:49 PM	#4
ebrand57 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Roscommon, MI Posts: 15	Re: Looking for a Unique Model A Engine Hi A bit of internet sleuthing: Barry appears to own a possibly airworthy Wiley Post Model A aircraft, NC13957...which used the subject converted Model A engine. Perhaps Barry can help you. All this information was found in public internet databases. Good luck. Extremely interesting. Barry Mcclure 934 Eagle Isle Ct, Osprey, FL 34229-6876 (941) 416-2396 - Wireless (941) 966-9715 - Landline Regards, Ethan Brand

02-05-2024, 03:24 PM	#5
DavisAir Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 7	Re: Looking for a Unique Model A Engine This engine in the pictures is Barry’s engine from that aircraft. Just seeing if any other original parts were out there. I know of that one head that was posted and sold on here and that’s all. There is two aircraft left with their original engines out of maybe 13 built but maybe the engines survived are are in storage. Was supposedly one in TX but has since faded away.

02-05-2024, 04:49 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Looking for a Unique Model A Engine Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This was an obscure engine conversion for an even more obscure airplane design that was very limited in popularity and was a redesign from the original parasol winged monoplane that it started out to be. The information that is available is spotty and suspect of accuracy but it states that there were only 13 made. They mention a Ross Holmes and a Glenn Stearman as designers. Glenn Stearman should not be confused with Lloyd Stearman who was a legend in early aircraft design and one of the pioneers of aviation. The Pietenpol Sky Camper was a more popular design and it also was set up to be able use the Ford Model A engine. That cylinder head chamber design it questionable when compared to other more modern high compression aluminum heads.

02-05-2024, 06:07 PM	#7
ebrand57 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Roscommon, MI Posts: 15	Re: Looking for a Unique Model A Engine Have you posted in the EAA forum...or other older aircraft sites? I assume so..but worth asking. Museums? How about Owls Head Maine? Great place, with lots of flying antique planes. I had a 1948 Stinson for a while. With its original Franklin 165. Good luck with the hunt. Is this plane airworthy? Ethan Brand