The Ford Barn

Doctor's Ford · 06-01-2015, 03:48 PM

Can you provide names of flathead rebuilders in Florida with experience in model B engines? I give up on my local resources (or lack of when it refers to Babbitt) and want to ship the engine to a real expert in the States who can fix my terrible rear main oil leak. Shipping will be much easier if shop is in Florida or nearby but willing to ship anywhere if the rebuilder is trustworthy. I already searched here at the Barn and can not find any thread with names of rebuilders but I know many of you are on the vintage engine business so hope to get a good number of possible references. Thank you. Manuel

Skibb · 06-01-2015, 07:14 PM

Doctor's Find, South Florida Crank and Machine in Lake Worth, FL recently built a Model A engine for me. Larry Buchon's the owner and operator and he's well regarded.

On the other hand, last year a restoration shop in Maysville, GA rebuilt my Model A engine but the work was a disaster. The rebuilt engine froze on first startup. The owner won't stand behind his work or keep his promised warranty. It's a dead loss of $4,000 for me - Total fraud there. Be careful who you chose.

Curt Campbell · 06-01-2015, 08:10 PM

Carden the name of the Maysville builder?

James Rogers · 06-01-2015, 08:24 PM

Please get in touch with me. You can access my website by cliking on my avatar or here. Email is at the bottom of the page above the phone number.

http://model-a-ford-4bangers.com/Home.html

Mike V. Florida · 06-01-2015, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skibb

Doctor's Find, South Florida Crank and Machine in Lake Worth, FL recently built a Model A engine for me. Larry Buchon's the owner and operator and he's well regarded.

.

Our club it going there Saturday for a tour.

Skibb · 06-02-2015, 09:21 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Mike, Larry built a superb touring engine for me. Wish my car's restoration was done 'cause I'd bring down. Larry knows his Model A's.

Curt, no that's not the name - check my profile. Curt will you be joining the Central Iowa Club tour on August 31st? My buddy and I trailering out to join it.

James Rogers · 06-02-2015, 06:01 PM

When using a builder for the Model B engine it is prudent to ask questions to be sure he knows how to build a B. The engine, while very close to an A engine does have some differences that can cause some very exasperating problems such as those Manuel is experiencing. The rear main MUST have the oil grooves cut in the specific way Ford designed them. While the single groove in an A engine goes from the front of the well to the rear and does not exit the bearing the B is different. The B has a set of grooves that make it an X design and exit the front of the bearing which in an A would cause a major oil leak keeps the B from leaking. This is because the A does not have any oil pressure to the bearings and can contain the oil by clearance. The B has some pressure directed specifically at the bearings and can force the oil out the front and rear of the bearing regardless of the clearance if an exit is not provided. Had Manuel known this in the beginning some of this issue could have been avoided. Since the crank has been cut and the slinger removed it is a moot point and the crank is ruined.

I am in discussion with him and feel I can provide him with a motor that will fulfill his needs without excessive oil consumption.

Curt Campbell · 06-02-2015, 08:03 PM

Yes...my wife and I will be on most of the tour. We are hosting the dinner the night in Ottumwa.

Skibb · 06-02-2015, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt Campbell

Yes...my wife and I will be on most of the tour. We are hosting the dinner the night in Ottumwa.

We'll see you there Curt. We are looking forward to the drive out and my wife loves Iowa.

Curt Campbell · 06-03-2015, 07:11 PM

Looking forward to meeting you as well! I lived in Homestead FI. In the early 70s. Just a small retirement type community then. Now....can't even find my way around. Hated to see it lose its charm.

Mike V. Florida · 06-04-2015, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt Campbell

Looking forward to meeting you as well! I lived in Homestead FI. In the early 70s. Just a small retirement type community then. Now....can't even find my way around. Hated to see it lose its charm.

Hurricane Andrew tried to return the city to it's past.

Mike V. Florida · 06-04-2015, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skibb

Mike, Larry built a superb touring engine for me. Wish my car's restoration was done 'cause I'd bring down. Larry knows his Model A's.

Curt, no that's not the name - check my profile. Curt will you be joining the Central Iowa Club tour on August 31st? My buddy and I trailering out to join it.

If you want to come we are meeting with Larry at the cracker barrel at 9:00am located at;

Boynton Beach

I-95 , Exit# 56
I-95 & Woolbright Road
1475 SW 8th Street
Boynton Beach, FL 33426-5877
Located off I-95

Then we are going to drive over to his shop.

Skibb · 06-04-2015, 04:41 PM

Thank you Mike.... We are headed up to Maine for a MACFA tour. You'll love his shop. Larry told me yesterday that he's rebuilding four other Model A engines now. Can't wait to get my car out of restoration and drive the Model A Highway.

06-01-2015, 03:48 PM	#1
Doctor's Ford Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: South Dakota Posts: 405	Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Can you provide names of flathead rebuilders in Florida with experience in model B engines? I give up on my local resources (or lack of when it refers to Babbitt) and want to ship the engine to a real expert in the States who can fix my terrible rear main oil leak. Shipping will be much easier if shop is in Florida or nearby but willing to ship anywhere if the rebuilder is trustworthy. I already searched here at the Barn and can not find any thread with names of rebuilders but I know many of you are on the vintage engine business so hope to get a good number of possible references. Thank you. Manuel

06-01-2015, 07:14 PM	#2
Skibb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 536	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Doctor's Find, South Florida Crank and Machine in Lake Worth, FL recently built a Model A engine for me. Larry Buchon's the owner and operator and he's well regarded. On the other hand, last year a restoration shop in Maysville, GA rebuilt my Model A engine but the work was a disaster. The rebuilt engine froze on first startup. The owner won't stand behind his work or keep his promised warranty. It's a dead loss of $4,000 for me - Total fraud there. Be careful who you chose. Last edited by Skibb; 06-01-2015 at 08:02 PM.

06-01-2015, 08:10 PM	#3
Curt Campbell Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ottumwa, IA Posts: 308	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Carden the name of the Maysville builder?

06-01-2015, 08:24 PM	#4
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Please get in touch with me. You can access my website by cliking on my avatar or here. Email is at the bottom of the page above the phone number. http://model-a-ford-4bangers.com/Home.html __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/

06-02-2015, 09:21 AM	#6
Skibb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 536	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mike, Larry built a superb touring engine for me. Wish my car's restoration was done 'cause I'd bring down. Larry knows his Model A's. Curt, no that's not the name - check my profile. Curt will you be joining the Central Iowa Club tour on August 31st? My buddy and I trailering out to join it.

06-02-2015, 06:01 PM	#7
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida When using a builder for the Model B engine it is prudent to ask questions to be sure he knows how to build a B. The engine, while very close to an A engine does have some differences that can cause some very exasperating problems such as those Manuel is experiencing. The rear main MUST have the oil grooves cut in the specific way Ford designed them. While the single groove in an A engine goes from the front of the well to the rear and does not exit the bearing the B is different. The B has a set of grooves that make it an X design and exit the front of the bearing which in an A would cause a major oil leak keeps the B from leaking. This is because the A does not have any oil pressure to the bearings and can contain the oil by clearance. The B has some pressure directed specifically at the bearings and can force the oil out the front and rear of the bearing regardless of the clearance if an exit is not provided. Had Manuel known this in the beginning some of this issue could have been avoided. Since the crank has been cut and the slinger removed it is a moot point and the crank is ruined. I am in discussion with him and feel I can provide him with a motor that will fulfill his needs without excessive oil consumption. __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/

06-02-2015, 08:03 PM	#8
Curt Campbell Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ottumwa, IA Posts: 308	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Yes...my wife and I will be on most of the tour. We are hosting the dinner the night in Ottumwa.

06-03-2015, 07:11 PM	#10
Curt Campbell Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ottumwa, IA Posts: 308	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Looking forward to meeting you as well! I lived in Homestead FI. In the early 70s. Just a small retirement type community then. Now....can't even find my way around. Hated to see it lose its charm.

06-04-2015, 04:41 PM	#13
Skibb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 536	Re: Model B engine rebuilder in Florida Thank you Mike.... We are headed up to Maine for a MACFA tour. You'll love his shop. Larry told me yesterday that he's rebuilding four other Model A engines now. Can't wait to get my car out of restoration and drive the Model A Highway.