The Engine Assembly Line

[A Model A]

Using 22 different archived videos spliced together this video depicts the Model A engine being produced; from sand molds to being dropped in a chassis.

https://youtu.be/bVsCaHcKj14

Make sure to look out for the main bearing babbitt being poured, the flywheel being balanced, and the manifolds being assembled.

How did we do?

You can view other Model A videos here;
https://www.youtube.com/c/AModelA/videos

[Fullraceflathead]

I think it turned out very well thank you for all the effort and making that video happen

[Bruce of MN]

It would be interesting to see a comparable video of the factory where the Burtz blocks are made.

[marty in Ohio]

Very interesting video. I can't believe the dirty conditions those guys worked under. I guess that was pre - OSHA.
Marty

[zzlegend]

Dirty, hot, and non stop. Men were Men back then. Very interesting clip. Thanks.

[McMimmcs]

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Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

Very interesting video. I can't believe the dirty conditions those guys worked under. I guess that was pre - OSHA.
Marty

I wonder how many died from lung disease! I am sure their retirement parties were small.

[JoeCB]

Both of my grandfathers worked for Ford. Both started at Highland park then moved to the Rouge when Model A production started. Both being immigrants, and like most immigrants and blacks you started in the foundry. Grandpa used to say, had hot metal in front of you and snow blowing on your back. If you survived the foundry and worked hard you could move out to a better job. If you were really lucky, like my paternal grandpa George you got a cushy job as a second shift janitor at the Lincoln - Mercury administration building. My maternal grandpa Peter was diagnosed with silicosis from the foundry sand. It was all about the money, working hard to support one's family. I guess that your personal health was secondary. All considered, relative to today's standards they did pretty well, both grandpas raised families on their single incomes, owned homes, bought a new Ford every few years and both managed to also own a simple little summer cottage.
Joe B

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by JoeCB

Both of my grandfathers worked for Ford. Both started at Highland park then moved to the Rouge when Model A production started. Both being immigrants, and like most immigrants and blacks you started in the foundry. Grandpa used to say, had hot metal in front of you and snow blowing on your back. If you survived the foundry and worked hard you could move out to a better job. If you were really lucky, like my paternal grandpa George you got a cushy job as a second shift janitor at the Lincoln - Mercury administration building. My maternal grandpa Peter was diagnosed with silicosis from the foundry sand. It was all about the money, working hard to support one's family. I guess that your personal health was secondary. All considered, relative to today's standards they did pretty well, both grandpas raised families on their single incomes, owned homes, bought a new Ford every few years and both managed to also own a simple little summer cottage.
Joe B

You should be very proud of your ancestry. Wayne

[Will N]

Cool. I loved the guy who was inspecting the crank journals with gauge, and then another guy comes to check the accuracy of his gauge against a master block, and gives him a replacement gauge to use. The engine was built to close tolerances. Also loved the guy tightening the main bearing caps with a double handle wrench. No torque wrenches used. Just a wrench with a long enough handle that a man of average strength could tighten the bolt to the proper tightness with two grunts.

[1930artdeco]

Great video. Man how life has changed-for the better in a lot of respects.

Mike

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by Will N

Cool. I loved the guy who was inspecting the crank journals with gauge, and then another guy comes to check the accuracy of his gauge against a master block, and gives him a replacement gauge to use. The engine was built to close tolerances. Also loved the guy tightening the main bearing caps with a double handle wrench. No torque wrenches used. Just a wrench with a long enough handle that a man of average strength could tighten the bolt to the proper tightness with two grunts.

And then you see on the barn people wanting to know how many pounds to tighten wheel nuts! Hahah

[JoeCB]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

And then you see on the barn people wanting to know how many pounds to tighten wheel nuts! Hahah

My thoughts exactly ...
PS, thanks for the kind comment, And know that on the way to the cottages just south of Lexington they would have driven past you on Gratiot M-25

Joe B

[burner31]

I was a team leader in the CERP program (Castings Emission Reduction Program), a US Government/GM/Ford program to reduce emissions during engine manufacturing, in the US/Mexico/Canada/China/Europe.
This was back in the mid/late 90's...seems not much has changed, still dirty, still hot and still hard work.
Those guys did not get payed enough in my opinion. But their lunches were free at the auto plants, and boy could those guys eat, more then likely the biggest meal of their day Ate at both the floor workers chow hall and the executive dining facility, which one do you think had the better food...yeah
Really liked the video, have not thought about those days in awhile.

[alexiskai]

It's so weird, my YouTube channel has picked up a couple dozen subscribers purely off this video. Apparently YT is recommending one of my videos if you watch this one. Guess I need to get going on the next in the Nu-Rex series.

[Dodge]

Great video, really enjoyed it.
Thanks

[AYooperA]

To A Model A; Thank You for compiling those wonderful videos for the engine and body plants. They really illustrate how much physical labor went into building the Model A. Some of those tasks could be featured on Mile Rowe’s Dirty Jobs series. I do times wonder about the people back in the day who built my A’s. My Grandfather worked at a Ford plant from the depression up until the early 50’s. It was the Kingsford, MI wood plant which was active until 1951 when they dropped the true woodies. He was lucky to have that job during those times in the UP. It kept him out of the iron mines and “the wolf away from the door”. He was able to get a pension and my Aunt (his Daughter) got a full scholarship to Michigan State from Ford Motor Company. I know today is a world economy … I buy Ford Products.

[Gene F]

The machines do not have guards on them, except to catch the waste for recycling. Guess recycling is not a new idea.

[hep1966]

Neat video. Thanks for posting.

[kawagumby]

Originally Posted by Gene F

The machines do not have guards on them, except to catch the waste for recycling. Guess recycling is not a new idea.

Even in the 60's machinery often lacked guards. I worked at a cement manufacturing plant and for my uncle who was a farmer back then with big irrigation pumps. At both it was common to have big electric motors connected to machines via belts that would slap and pop right next to you sometimes at over 20' in length. Pretty scary to be walking next to those things.