MTFCA Forum

A few months ago this engine came to me with the message: Can you make it run again??

This morning I started to take it apart.
Here is what I found.
I have a few questions about it.
- The engine number is 11595589, this is early April 1925.
The cast date say 30 5.
- Can this be a later spare engine?
The engine have the two bolt holes in the block and the transmission hog head have the two ears.
- Was this early 1925?
- Didn't this start in August 1925 for the 1926 model T?
The engine have a cover plate where the starter should be.
- Could this be a TT engine?
- In the front of the engine I found parts of a strange timer.
On the parts I found "BLUBLAZE Timer". I never saw this before.
- What should this look like? How does this work?

Thanks
Andre
Belgium

It is an "Improved" engine and transmission. Some have said the last '25 T's had the improved engine. It is also possible that the engines were being manufactured in advance of the new bodies.
You do need to check for cracks and rust out of the water jacket and cylinder bore. If those things are good, you can proceed to rebuild the engine. I have never heard of or seen that timer, but that is a minor part. Any timer will fit on the engine. I don't know anything about sources of parts in your area. I know shipping is expensive especially overseas from the U.S.A.
I wish you well on your restoration for your friend.
Norm

The direction Ford gave its dealer's to re-stamp the replacement block with the engine number it was replacing , but didn't mention that the replacement engine needed to be the same year.
Possible scenario: A 1925 engine failed in 1926 and was replaced with a 1926 block. The light stamping, double strike & uneven numbers might be from someone not used to doing so.

The starter was certainly a option in 26 (not standard equipment)

Andre, if it was a TT engine with no generator, it should have an untouched ring gear on the flywheel. This will also be an indication of a non-electric car.

Allan from down under.

Les Schubert wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 03, 2023 1:51 pm

The starter was certainly a option in 26 (not standard equipment)

The original bill of sale from my grandfather's '26 Fordor listed bumpers, steering lock, and speedometer as options. No mention of a starter, which the car had/has.

I am by no means particularly knowledgeable about improved FORDS, but the Encyclopedia states that starters and 21" wheels were standard as of early calendar year 1926. So it sounds like it was optional for FY'26 in late '25 and became standard after a few months.

At least some 1926 Ford advertising indicated that a starter was standard on closed cars, and optional on open cars.

AndreFordT wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 03, 2023 1:16 pm

A few months ago this engine came to me with the message: Can you make it run again??

- The engine number is 11595589, this is early April 1925.
The cast date say 30 5.
- Didn't this start in August 1925 for the 1926 model T?

On the parts I found "BLUBLAZE Timer". I never saw this before.
- What should this look like? How does this work?

Yet another possibility (from the Encyclopaedia) if not a re-stamped engine for a failed 1915 engine some time in 1926 Beginning in September 1924 Ford began producing engines at the then-new River Rouge plant. Initially Highland Park would send the Rouge a block of engine-number records and these numbers appeared on engines built at the Rouge. As Rouge production climbed, Highland Park's declined and as the Rouge became the primary source they would send blocks of number records back to Highland Park. The result of these two production sites was that there is no real numerical sequence in engine numbers between September 1924 and February 1925. The daily serial number lists published in Model T Ford, the Car That Changed the World shows the days on which certain engines were produced but this abbreviated listing does not.
Could be someone used an old work sheet at the Highland Park Plant
--
--

The 1926 engines were installed in all vehicles after July 2, 1925 and the Model Year changed to 1926 on August 2, 1925.

For sure, Canadian 1926 Touring models, electric starter and generator were optional or (could be ordered with out) I found an unmolested Canadian 1926 engine 60 years ago and there was a blank out plate over the starter and generator. Also there were cast brackets to hold kerosene lamps attached to the windshield stanchions for non electric cars. I have them on my 26 just as a novelty, I have also installed a starter, generator, battery and amp gage. Currently the car does not run on the mag because I may have installed the magnets incorrectly. I didn't pay attention to the north/south configuration. It always ran OK on the battery so I didn't bother with the mag. But some day.

Altair wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 03, 2023 10:57 pm

For sure, Canadian 1926 Touring models, electric starter and generator were optional or (could be ordered with out) I found an unmolested Canadian 1926 engine 60 years ago and there was a blank out plate over the starter and generator. Also there were cast brackets to hold kerosene lamps attached to the windshield stanchions for non electric cars. I have them on my 26 just as a novelty, I have also installed a starter, generator, battery and amp gage. Currently the car does not run on the mag because I may have installed the magnets incorrectly. I didn't pay attention to the north/south configuration. It always ran OK on the battery so I didn't bother with the mag. But some day.

Lookup in car magnet recharging via Tom Carnege way. A high amp hit from a DC arc welder will bring the magnetism back. The charge is so high It will reverse polarity on the backwards magnets whall saturating . IF your field coil is still good.

I to have seen a non electric original unrestored 27 roadster. 30" non demountables, mag lighting, kerosene side lamps with those super rare original mounting brackets., etc. If "electric" was standard, Ford offered a cheaper "delete" version.

& yes, your motor should have a virgin ring gear. Wear in certain spots will be obvious, but dont be fooled by the coarse nature of the machined teeth.

Yes, It have a virgin starter ring on the fly wheel.
I hope, at the underside, the corrosion didn't distroy it.

Andre
Belgium