Hi all, I just bought a '28 model A 2 door sedan with a 4 banger and '39 Ford tranny. The car also came with a V8 Flathead and T-5 that I'm planning on swapping in. Here are the specs on the engine: Serial number 92857I, Winfield head, Weber 32/36 DGV manual carb, Perlux distributor, high output mini starter. Engine and tranny/clutch run strong and clean, no smoke during cold start or after warmup. Any advise on pricing the 4 cylinder and '39 tranny would be very helpful. Also any info as to why there would be no star or letter prefix in the serial number would be very appreciated. Thanks, Bud.
Look at the font on the serial number, I bet it will be wrong. Look at the boss where the number is stamped, is it original "as cast" or does it look like an old number has been ground off and a new number stamped in? The engine was probably rebuilt, the original number ground off, and the rebuilder added his own number. If the engine number was used to register the car get that straightened out with DMV, BEFORE you pull the engine. Where are you located, that will be a big selling point. Keep the banger and drive it, you might like it. Charlie Stephens
Not all that familiar with Diamond replacement engines but it's possible that that had the number hand stamped without a star? As I understand them they came without numbers. But I could be wrong.
Unfortunately Mr Cling has retired and the adapters are NLA. I think Burts model A in Denver is the new producer. But they aren't for sale yet, as they're in production. Been a few months since i check. They may be available now.
Thats not as easy as it sounds. The B trans has a different bell housing pattern, so you need the B flywheel housing. Which you lose the motor mount location at the rear of the engine..... pain in the butt to get a 4 cylinder case to talk to an A, or I'd think you'd see a lot more of that swap.
Berts has them in there catalog now. Complete installation adapter kit to install a 1935-1939 transmission on Model A engine- Includes aluminum bellhousing adapter, pedal shaft bracket, emergency brake bracket, wishbone bracket, clutch release shaft and all the needed hardware. Instructions included. USA Made! A-7003 COMPLETE INSTALLATION ADAPTER KIT TO INSTALL A 1935-1939 TRANSMISSION ON A MODEL A ENGINE
Winfield head is worth about 1000 by itself depending on if original cast iron or aluminum reproduction.(assuming original) Good used 39 trans $500 ish +/- depending on gear condition Adapter easy 400 What's a A runner? 800ish? Maybe 1000? 1500? Hard to say. Add that all up 3-3.5k....which i think you'd have a hard time selling the whole package for.
You left out that you also lose the mount for the brake and clutch pedals and wishbone. I put a Model be engine in my '31 RDPU but used the Model A trans as it wasn't worth the effort to update it. Charlie Stephens
Hi Charlie, thanks for the info. I had a Model A restorer look at it and he says its legit. He told me the "I" is for the Indianapolis Indiana plant.
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