Dear fellows! My first thread: I have a model A engine that has strange numbers: "star" R4M159 "star". If someone have info I am more than happy and enthusiastic to know more. The car is in Sweden but I guess the stuff comes from the U.S. I bought it last year and don't know much about it. Thanks in advance Jonas
I also have one with strange numbers that I can't find information on. I believe it was an industrial model. Yours may have been made in France or Russia. Ford had plants in both of those countries and there's probably little or no good records. Ford also had a plant in Germany but I don't know if it ever went into production. The letter "M" might signify military use. Nice looking setup you have there.
Definitely a 1928-1931 Model A engine but I can't tell you anything about the serial number. You might want to post your question on fordbarn: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3 Charlie Stephens
these are some good links to check model A and B serial numbers https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABenginenumbers.htm https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/Kolnenginenumbers.htm https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/UK2840ABmodels.htm
I do not believe it came from the Engines made in Russia at the GAZ facility as these engines were based on the model B engine and your engine is definitely Model A. The First Model A's assembled from parts made in Dearborn were assembled at the facility in Moscow. I do not know the serial numbers of the Russian model A's that were assembled using Dearborn parts.
If the R is for Richmond, California (just across The Bay from San Francisco), then what the heck is the M doing in the serial number?
Engines has the bigger bore of 3,875 inch. I believe its an American engine since there is a reparation logo above the oil pan. Bored in California. Do say "bored" in English? It sounds like the opposite of happy. I spell better in Swedish.
More background: car was built by a guy here in Sweden. Parts from different places. It was not drivable when purchased by me. Crack in the engine block, at the pin bolt between second and third cylinder. I am investigating before I take action on the issue. Might as well look for another block, even though I am thrilled by thees odd numbers.
Richmond came on line in 1931, so it can't be a 1927 serial number. Two other things stand out to me: It looks like R4MI59, not R4M159. It also looks like the 5 is stamped over another number, probably a 3 or a 7. Its a little too soon to call it, but you may have stumped the HAMB!
Ford began the use of the I character instead of the numeral 1 along with the differently shaped 6/9 in late February 1931 so that block dates from late Model A production, but other than that I have no idea as to it’s origin.
My guess is that it has been restamped at some time. Did the factory guys take the time to stamp the stars correctly or did they come out in all 360 degrees?
The ones that I have seen that were on engines were fairly uniform, the frame rails, not so much. This one is just wacky.
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