Diamond engine ID ?

[Special Coupe Frank]

Hi Folks,

Back after lengthy hiatus.

I have acquired a replacement engine for my '28 Special Coupe.

It is a diamond block, bears date code, F 9 5, which suggests June 9, 1935?

Also has this stamping above the #4 exhaust port: 8 <->5


The number pad above the water inlet is stamped: R C 55086 (star)

Does anyone know if the stamped numbers offer any clues to its previous application ?

I purchased the engine from a local club member, who obtained the long block from Bill Haberer out near Williamsport, PA.

That's as much as we know about its history.

Thanks for your help!

Frank

[john charlton]

In England the "R" denotes a Ford factory rebuilt engine ,this was done on an exchange basis by Ford dealers . The "C" is most likely a date code . Check the bores, in England Ford sleeved exchange engines back to standard . Sometimes insert valve seats were also installed .I guess Ford in USA did the same thing .

John in lovely day Suffolk County England

[1931 flamingo]

S/C Frank..........................WELCOME BACK, I wondered what had happened to you.
Paul in CT

[jim1932]

My understanding is that the Engine number was sometimes stamped with the same number it was replacing. Researching this number may tell you what it was put in. I have a diamond B motor that was stamped as an AA and was pulled out of a truck.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

S/C Frank..........................WELCOME BACK, I wondered what had happened to you.
Paul in CT

Hi Paul - thanks! Coupe died in fall of 2011, then a bunch of job & family priorities took over...

Finally getting back to the Ford.

Frank

[Ron in Quincy]

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Here in California we had two Ford Plants that built the Diamond Block Engines; Long Beach Ford engines were stamped LB**** and Richmond Ford engines were stamped RF****.

These were brand new blocks, standard bore, hard seats in the exhaust, a new "B" grind camshaft, a good low ground "A" crankshaft; these were sold outright by Ford, no exchange.

There is a small "Diamond" cast in the block just above the side timing cover.

Ron Rude

[Special Coupe Frank]

Thanks Ron !

Got the raised diamond above the side timing cover.

Any way to tell a B cam by visual inspection (any markings?)

I'm not familiar with "low ground A crank" - what does this mean ?

Thanks,

Frank

[Juggler]

Look for a fuel pump lobe on a B cam - not there on the A

[Ron in Quincy]

Frank,

The camshaft has a lobe toward the front which drove the fuel pump on the "B" "C" engines ( the camshaft is also copper plated between the lobes).
Ford may have had some new A crankshaft to use or surface a "A" crankshaft journals a few thousands to clean up ?

Ron

[Special Coupe Frank]

Thanks Ron & Juggler. Extra lobe for fuel pump should be easy enough to spot.

[Ron in Quincy]

Frank,

Some additional information about the "B" cam; due to the whip of the camshaft the most wear is on the center journal so check this journal as it also drives the distributor and oil pump; journal #1 and #3 are quite often standard.

The nice thing about a "B" cam is the lobe shape, it gives a higher lift and a faster opening and closing of the valves.

When rebuilding the engine I suggest you go to stainless valves and modern keepers and adjustable lifters. I set my intakes at .014 clearance and exhaust at .018, have never had a burnt valve and they are quiet.

Ron Rude

[john charlton]

The post from Jim 1932 was very interesting just curious to know what AA serial was stamped on his B block . Ford in England built AA trucks into 1936 . From 1932 these Dagenham trucks were fitted with B blocks serialled AA . I have a block out of a 1935 truck serialled AA 4981139 . USA servicemen could bring a vehicle home free after their stint in UK . Many brought in MGs and Jags etc but some brought in As and Ts . Could be that motor started life in England .

John in sunny Suffolk County England