MTFCA Forum

When Ford shipped new Model T engine blocks to dealers they were sent in wood crates:
Most parts had their machined surfaces coated with a thin layer of “rust proof” that seems to have attracted dirt and dust like a magnet.

This engine block is un-number and the 1926-27 style.

Is it for sale?

Seems like I read somewhere these were available until 1941. But was that for a complete engine or just the block. Crate motors are usually complete engines or a complete short block only. Or so I thought? Don’t know for sure maybe someone else does?

Wow! So neat to see such an amazing piece of preserved history. Thank you for sharing the pictures.

NOS parts I have found seem to have a coating of wax on them. This is bearing races, front end tie rod bolts, etc. Dan

The crate makes a big difference! It’s lucky that it survived being moved and stacked around all these years! In the collector world the original box, book jacket and packaging means a lot more money. And it’s a confirmation it would be new or unused.

And you can make floor boards out of the crate !

Seems like I read somewhere these were available until 1941. But was that for a complete engine or just the block.

The last seven engines were assembled in 1941, the final one being #15,176,888 on August 4. I've never seen any information on when the last replacement blocks were made. I wonder what numbers are on the half dozen T-100 engines made twenty years ago.

And you can make floor boards out of the crate !

The wrinkle on that story I saw recently had it that Henry required crates of certain dimensions so the pieces could go directly into cars as floorboards. I think that may be an exaggeration.

Ford did specify the size of the crates used to ship Model T parts to the factory for two reasons. First, the crates took quite a bit of abuse and by specifying the size Ford could make up replacement boards so the crates could be repaired quickly. Second, the crates were designed to hold a specified number of a particular part. This would allow Ford employees to quickly do a “sight inventory” of parts on hand. The number of parts was equal to the number of parts in a crate multiplied by the number of crates instead of counting the number of the part in each crate. In worse case, if a crate had been opened it would only be necessary to individually count the parts in partially opened crate.

Ford Motor Company stressed efficiency. If it wanted to sell cars for $245 fob Detroit, it couldn’t afford to waste a man’s time counting parts individually.

Respectfully submitted,

Trent Boggess

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:47 pm

NOS parts I have found seem to have a coating of wax on them. This is bearing races, front end tie rod bolts, etc. Dan

I believe they called it Cosmoline
Bryant

WQW! That is fun to see.
Thanks for posting.
Rich

I have a nice original 11 that has a name repetitively stamped into the floor board wood on the bottom side must of been crating.

A "crate engine" is modern nomenclature for a new replacement engine, usually a mostly complete engine less a few external accessories, either with or without transmission. It came about as a way of saying the engine was replaced by something better than a wrecking yard engine of unknown background. The term "crate engine" I think has been common for less than fifty years.

The item being discussed is a "crated block". A replacement block that was crated for protection when being shipped.

Two basically different things. However, a great "play on words" for the thread title!

Such crating of heavy replacement parts was common back in the days, but not a lot of them still survive in their original crating. My OPINION is that anything such as this block, still in its original crate, should be kept as the artifact it is, and NOT removed from the crate and used. This was an important part of automobile history, and so few still survive how they were sold and shipped, that it would be a shame to destroy such a fine piece.

But that is my silly opinion.

That has much more value kept together as a historical artifact than used as a replacement block in a T. It would be nice displayed in the parts department of the MTFCA Museum. If you want it there call Jerry Kramer. 765 969 6338

I have an original crankshaft in a wooden box with the top missing and a wooden box that a set of magnets were shipped to a Ford dealer in Delaware many years ago.

The crankshaft is coated with a bluegreen wax material.

My 1926 radiator surround was shipped in a wooden crate, but I sold the crate after I removed the NOS radiator and had it replated.That seemed like a common practice.

Ford definitely recycled some of those crates.

While looking for something else I stumbled on this. I thought it might be interesting on this thread. https://www.pickingpittsburgh.com/listi ... l-t-wooden

I have the perfect block for that crate. I recently purchased a new old stock open valve block. This block has a strange number where the serial number normally is placed. Also it has several cut outs on both sides of the crankcase to allow someone to see how the crankshaft and rods worked. It also has 2 hinges on the side of the block that were for the cylinder head to be lifted over so you could see the valve action.

just sayin'
brasscarguy

Richard

I have the mate to that box

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:14 pm

Seems like I read somewhere these were available until 1941. But was that for a complete engine or just the block.

The last seven engines were assembled in 1941, the final one being #15,176,888 on August 4. I've never seen any information on when the last replacement blocks were made. I wonder what numbers are on the half dozen T-100 engines made twenty years ago.

And you can make floor boards out of the crate !

The wrinkle on that story I saw recently had it that Henry required crates of certain dimensions so the pieces could go directly into cars as floorboards. I think that may be an exaggeration.

Ford did have specifications for the crates, but not for use in cars. Ford teamed up with a relative to make charcoal with the crate's wood. The relative was named King. Does Kingsford Charcoal ring a bell? If you want a good read, try THE PEOPLE'S TYCOON by Steven Watts

Ford did have specifications for the crates, but not for use in cars. Ford teamed up with a relative to make charcoal with the crate's wood. The relative was named King. Does Kingsford Charcoal ring a bell? If you want a good read, try THE PEOPLE'S TYCOON by Steven Watts

Correct, Ford had specifications and order/inventory controls of every piece of the car, and the shipping crates used to freight the parts from the Highland Park mother plant to all the thirty-one or so Branch Factory Assembly Plants located in the major cities across the USA.

Here are some of those factory crate numbers:
And here is another crated engine block only, with the label, seems this bare block was being sent from Branch Inventory to a dealer or repair shop for engine replacement use. But could be this wood crate may have been made by the Branch plant for shipment.

I have a crankshaft in a smaller wooden box.

It has a blue-green wax on it.