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01-17-2021, 01:49 PM | #1 |
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1931 valve cover gasket question
I'm assembling my engine and the valve cover gasket supplied with the gasket kit doesn't fit. My engine is the original via the stamped VIN/registration, and was manufactured in late 1930 according to the VIN number. There is no vent tube with the valve cover and the gasket for a 1932-34 looks the same. Did some late model A's switch over to the newer design?
Thanks, Tom |
01-17-2021, 01:54 PM | #2 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
Paper gaskets shrink over time in packaging. If your gasket is too small, soak it in water overnight and it will expand to fit.
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01-17-2021, 02:19 PM | #3 | |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
Quote:
The gasket that came off was a completely different shape and some holes were not aligned at all. One longitudinal edge has a much wider area that seals two raised edges, not one. Looking a gasket pictures from vendors, the gasket that I removed looks just like the 1932-34 item. Hey, a picture is worth a thousand words... vavlecover2.jpg |
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01-17-2021, 02:25 PM | #4 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
That is a Model B valve cover.
http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABva...rvarieties.htm Maybe you should post a picture of the engine? |
01-17-2021, 02:58 PM | #5 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
You have a B engine.Its your lucky day...pressurized main bearings,If it has a B cam it develops power to 2900 rpm.Look above the timing gear side cover on the block...is there a little diamond?
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01-17-2021, 04:30 PM | #6 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
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You have a diamond block "B" engine that probably has a conterweighted crank. Unless you are looking for absolute originality, hang onto it. Chris W |
01-17-2021, 05:20 PM | #7 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
What a swing that must have been. Frustration from the wrong gasket to the excitement of having a B engine! I would be excited anyway.
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01-17-2021, 05:28 PM | #8 | |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
Quote:
Yep. What is strange is the VIN (engine#) shows as a late 1930 model A - which makes sense as my roadster is a '31. It looks like Ford installed some of the newer engine design in some of the later "A" cars? It also has a fuel pump access plate and the extra cam lobe to drive it. However, the head seems to be model A as it has the 4 bolt water pump. The pan gaskets I have don't fit, so I'm looking at probably getting some gaskets for an A and some for a B...LOL. camlobe.jpg Last edited by kawagumby; 01-17-2021 at 05:55 PM. |
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01-17-2021, 05:51 PM | #9 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
The Model B engines were cast with a number pad like the Model A but no numbers were stamped in that location. Your engine was likely a replacement for the original and the pad was stamped by the owner with the Model-A number that it replaced. This is not uncommon.
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01-17-2021, 05:58 PM | #10 | |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
Quote:
Ok, I found the casting code on the engine C239...which translates to March 23 1939. So, I've got a late-model B replacement block with some model A engine parts. Not that it makes much difference to me other than figuring what kind of gaskets to get. Last edited by kawagumby; 01-17-2021 at 07:03 PM. Reason: Found the date code |
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01-18-2021, 06:14 PM | #11 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
“Not that it makes much difference to me other than figuring what kind of gaskets to get.”
Your killen me smalls... |
01-18-2021, 08:03 PM | #12 |
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Re: 1931 valve cover gasket question
"Your killen me smalls..."
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