The Ford Barn

Wisconsinjimmy · 10-30-2013, 10:26 PM

What is the difference between the two engines and is there a way to tell them apart, reason is my dad has a bunch of engines laying around.

Kurt in NJ · 10-30-2013, 10:39 PM

The "B" engine has a place for a fuel pump
The "A" engine has a oil return tube from the valve cover to the block

Tiny · 10-30-2013, 10:59 PM

B's have a 3 bolt water pump.
A's have a 4 bolt water pump.

Dave Mellor NJ · 10-31-2013, 01:03 AM

The B oil fill pipe is fatter

H. L. Chauvin · 10-31-2013, 01:23 AM

Hi Jimmy,

Also, if parts are laying around, or if the oil pans are not installed one can observe that the B crankshaft journals & diameters of Babbitt connecting rod bearings are larger in diameter than that of the A.

DougVieyra · 10-31-2013, 01:44 AM

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Another way (besides no oil return pipe and the opening for the '32-'34 'B' engine mechanical fuel pump) to tell a 'B' block, is that the engine's valve side cover is significantly and noticeably wider (top to bottom).

ALSO NOTE : Anything other than the basic short block must be viewed with skepticism in determining if a block is an 'A' or a 'B'. As heads are often changed around, the Head/Water-Pump is not a good indicator of the type of engine. Because of the higher compression and the much easier to install / replace, 'goose-neck' / water-pump ( a combined one-piece unit ), of the 'B' (marked 'C') head, they are often installed on an 'A' engine, in place of the original 'A' head. Also, as the timing-gear cover (used to mount the front of the engine to the frame) also can be changed from a 'B' engine (as mounted to the significantly different '32 frame) to the 'A' cover - this indicator also is flawed.

1931 flamingo · 10-31-2013, 08:23 AM

HOLE in the right side of the block for fuel pump. Definitive.
Paul in CT

Purdy Swoft · 10-31-2013, 10:40 AM

The advantages of the B engine is larger bearings on the crankshaft and mild oil pressure to the mains. The slightly higher compression head adds nearly seven horsepower more than the 4.22 compression model A head. The camshaft has more lift and duration and gives a 600 RPM increase over the model A engine. The B engine is rated at 50 horsepower. On the negative side, the model B blocks are thinner and most will have cracks in the valve seat area.

Charlie Stephens · 10-31-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mellor NJ

The B oil fill pipe is fatter

Dave,

Except for the early "B" that had the same diameter pipe as the Model A but was longer. Look for the provision to mount the fuel pump, it's something that can't be changed.

Charlie Stephens

ratamahata · 10-31-2013, 01:04 PM

Later model B engines came with counterbalanced crankshaft...
A more bigger intake with a model B zenith carburetor...

Wisconsinjimmy · 10-31-2013, 01:22 PM

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of info on that question, thank you very much.

dave in australia · 11-01-2013, 02:57 AM

If you post a few pics of what you have, a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum can inform you what is what.

Wisconsinjimmy · 11-01-2013, 06:05 PM

One more question if you do not mind, what is a fair price on an engine if it turns over or stuck, I am going over to dads on Saturday and have a look see.

Purdy Swoft · 11-01-2013, 08:55 PM

The least price for a complete stuck B engine with a marvel carb, that I have found nearby was $500.00 . I've seen B long blocks that were said to be free offered as low as $800.00 as a core.

Wisconsinjimmy · 11-01-2013, 09:11 PM

It likely sounded as though I need to make a lot of money "NOT", I am going to see what I can dig up there are even a couple Flatty's, one is hooked to a military welding machine and the other is in a truck. I had better try and get them before the stepmother sells it all off, I offered her 3 grand for the 30 coupe a month ago and then sells it to some picker for the same amount. I am not liked

10-30-2013, 10:26 PM	#1
Wisconsinjimmy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cushing, WI Posts: 170	Engines A or B What is the difference between the two engines and is there a way to tell them apart, reason is my dad has a bunch of engines laying around.

10-30-2013, 10:39 PM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Engines A or B The "B" engine has a place for a fuel pump The "A" engine has a oil return tube from the valve cover to the block

10-30-2013, 10:59 PM	#3
Tiny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Redding Cal Posts: 1,388	Re: Engines A or B B's have a 3 bolt water pump. A's have a 4 bolt water pump.

10-31-2013, 01:03 AM	#4
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 780	Re: Engines A or B The B oil fill pipe is fatter

10-31-2013, 01:23 AM	#5
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Engines A or B Hi Jimmy, Also, if parts are laying around, or if the oil pans are not installed one can observe that the B crankshaft journals & diameters of Babbitt connecting rod bearings are larger in diameter than that of the A.

10-31-2013, 01:44 AM	#6
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	B's have a 3 bolt water pump. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Another way (besides no oil return pipe and the opening for the '32-'34 'B' engine mechanical fuel pump) to tell a 'B' block, is that the engine's valve side cover is significantly and noticeably wider (top to bottom). ALSO NOTE : Anything other than the basic short block must be viewed with skepticism in determining if a block is an 'A' or a 'B'. As heads are often changed around, the Head/Water-Pump is not a good indicator of the type of engine. Because of the higher compression and the much easier to install / replace, 'goose-neck' / water-pump ( a combined one-piece unit ), of the 'B' (marked 'C') head, they are often installed on an 'A' engine, in place of the original 'A' head. Also, as the timing-gear cover (used to mount the front of the engine to the frame) also can be changed from a 'B' engine (as mounted to the significantly different '32 frame) to the 'A' cover - this indicator also is flawed.

10-31-2013, 08:23 AM	#7
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Engines A or B HOLE in the right side of the block for fuel pump. Definitive. Paul in CT

10-31-2013, 10:40 AM	#8
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Engines A or B The advantages of the B engine is larger bearings on the crankshaft and mild oil pressure to the mains. The slightly higher compression head adds nearly seven horsepower more than the 4.22 compression model A head. The camshaft has more lift and duration and gives a 600 RPM increase over the model A engine. The B engine is rated at 50 horsepower. On the negative side, the model B blocks are thinner and most will have cracks in the valve seat area.

10-31-2013, 01:04 PM	#10
ratamahata Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Argentina Posts: 710	Re: Engines A or B Later model B engines came with counterbalanced crankshaft... A more bigger intake with a model B zenith carburetor...

10-31-2013, 01:22 PM	#11
Wisconsinjimmy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cushing, WI Posts: 170	Re: Engines A or B Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of info on that question, thank you very much.

11-01-2013, 02:57 AM	#12
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,176	Re: Engines A or B If you post a few pics of what you have, a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum can inform you what is what.

11-01-2013, 06:05 PM	#13
Wisconsinjimmy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cushing, WI Posts: 170	Re: Engines A or B One more question if you do not mind, what is a fair price on an engine if it turns over or stuck, I am going over to dads on Saturday and have a look see.

11-01-2013, 08:55 PM	#14
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Engines A or B The least price for a complete stuck B engine with a marvel carb, that I have found nearby was $500.00 . I've seen B long blocks that were said to be free offered as low as $800.00 as a core.

11-01-2013, 09:11 PM	#15
Wisconsinjimmy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cushing, WI Posts: 170	Re: Engines A or B It likely sounded as though I need to make a lot of money "NOT", I am going to see what I can dig up there are even a couple Flatty's, one is hooked to a military welding machine and the other is in a truck. I had better try and get them before the stepmother sells it all off, I offered her 3 grand for the 30 coupe a month ago and then sells it to some picker for the same amount. I am not liked