Who designed the Model A engine ?

[conaway2]

Years ago, I remember reading somewhere that the engineer who designed the A engine did so in a remarkably short time, and when a prototype Model A with the new engine was taken on a test drive in 1927, it outran every other vehicle on the road. I cannot remember where I found this, or who the engine designer was....can anyone help me with this information ?

thanks - Jim

[plyfor]

Laurence Sheldrick with help from Harold Hicks from the " The Ford Model A "book by De Angeles,Francis, Henry an excellent historical resource .

[Mitch]

You did not actually ask this, but here is an interesting article from the 1928 dealer service magazine.
This link is to the VFF Articles forum
https://www.vintagefordforum.com/art...-where-and-how

[Bill G]

Great article.

[conaway2]

Thanks for the responses ! Very helpful information !

[jt-mccarthy]

Hello Jim, Edsel Ford and a few employees from their design and development department, basically redesigned the Model T engine in a couple of days. Henry did not want to change anything and keep with the Moedl T. However Edsel pointed out that all the other manufacturers had cars producing 40 HP, as opposed to the Model T's 20 HP. Henry stated that if he could design an engine to produce 40HP he would change.

[Mitch]

Welcome jt-mccarthy to the VFF!!!

[ndnchf]

Wow - that's a great article

[2manycars]

It would have been even better if the crankshaft thrust bearing was in the center of th engine, so both sides would be lubricated.

[Corley]

Years ago, I remember reading somewhere that the engineer who designed the A engine did so in a remarkably short time, and when a prototype Model A with the new engine was taken on a test drive in 1927, it outran every other vehicle on the road. I cannot remember where I found this, or who the engine designer was....can anyone help me with this information ?

thanks - Jim

Well that is a stretch, considering several other vehicle builders had more HP than the model A engine in their production 1927 models, For example, Studebaker sported 60hp in the 1927 Dictator, and for 1929, had an 8 cylinder 80hp engine in the President. (Designed by Barney Ross, of WWII Willys jeep fame.) Buick's overhead 6 in 1927 had 75hp. Cadillac's 1927 V8 had 75hp. And many more.

What Ford had with the model A was one of the least expensive cars, with decent performance, and good reliability.

[Corley]

You did not actually ask this, but here is an interesting article from the 1928 dealer service magazine.
This link is to the VFF Articles forum
https://www.vintagefordforum.com/art...-where-and-how

That article states that the model A engine didn't vibrate. HUH? I guess that used car salesman hadn't driven one yet. But a fun writeup.

[AzBob]

For example, Studebaker sported 60hp in the 1927 Dictator, and for 1929, had an 8 cylinder 80hp engine in the President. (Designed by Barney Ross, of WWII Willys jeep fame.) Buick's overhead 6 in 1927 had 75hp. Cadillac's 1927 V8 had 75hp. And many more.

The more expensive cars in the Model A era did indeed have more horsepower, they were also heavier and typically had higher numerical rear axle ratios. My 1926 Buick 6 cylinder coupe was rated at 60 Hp. weighed in at 3100 lbs. had a 4.90:1 rear axle ratio. Its performance was a real disappointment. 45 mph was about tops and the engine sounded very busy and unhappy at that speed. My '30 Model A Sport Coupe has way better overall performance.

[carolinamudwalker]

Hello Jim, Edsel Ford and a few employees from their design and development department, basically redesigned the Model T engine in a couple of days. Henry did not want to change anything and keep with the Moedl T. However Edsel pointed out that all the other manufacturers had cars producing 40 HP, as opposed to the Model T's 20 HP. Henry stated that if he could design an engine to produce 40HP he would change.

Also the Dodge brothers designed the model T and its engine before they split off on their own.

[Buck Howard]

The Dodge Brothers made a lot of stuff for several auto makers before deciding to make their own car.

[Hazelhoff]

Very nice article on the Model A engine indeed ! But, whomever invented those bearing-oil grooves destroying the hydrodynamic functioning of the engine’s lubrication ?

[Jim Mason]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c_3u7QxXDSs&feature=emb_imp_woyt

[Corley]

The more expensive cars in the Model A era did indeed have more horsepower, they were also heavier and typically had higher numerical rear axle ratios. My 1926 Buick 6 cylinder coupe was rated at 60 Hp. weighed in at 3100 lbs. had a 4.90:1 rear axle ratio. Its performance was a real disappointment. 45 mph was about tops and the engine sounded very busy and unhappy at that speed. My '30 Model A Sport Coupe has way better overall performance.

Buick had 2 engines for 1927, the smaller was 60hp, and the larger was rated at 75hp. You obviouly then, had the smaller 242ci version. The point being, 40hp was not remarkable for the era, nor were many aspects of the A engine's design. But what was remarkable was how cheaply it could be sold for, and it's reliability and longevity. A lot of that stems from it's limited output.

[AzBob]

You obviouly then, had the smaller 242ci

It was the 207 CI. Standard Six 60 HP. The Master Six had a displacement of 274 CI. 75 hp

The Master Six did not guarantee any better performance due to longer wheelbases up to 128", weight to 3900 lbs. and rear axle ratio of 4.73:1 all riding on wooden wheels you are done at 45 to 50 mph.

[AzBob]

Laurence Sheldrick with help from Harold Hicks from the " The Ford Model A "book by De Angeles,Francis, Henry an excellent historical resource .

X2, plyfor Excellent source.

If one reads accounts of the development of the Model A engine, the main credit goes to Lawrence Sheldrick and Harold Hicks. My source below is from The Legendary Model A Ford by Peter Winnewisser.

"Edsel and I," stated Henry Ford, "decided on the wheelbase and size right away." To develop the new car, Henry Ford relied on the engineering department, Edsel and a group of seven key employees.

Joseph Galamb: Worked on the body and frame design in close harmony with Edsel Ford.
Eugene Farkas: Special tasks such as dash, axles, brakes, shocks, analysis and other mechanical details.
Lawence Sheldrick: Engine, chassis and eventually project director.
Harold Hicks: Engine and exhaust system.
Charles Sorenson: Production.
Peter Martin: Production.

Harold Hicks (Borrowed from aircraft engineering) working closely with Carl Schultz are credited with increasing the output of the Model A engine from 22 hp. to 40 hp. primarily through changes to the manifolds and carburetor.

According to Hicks, the Model A engine had a quick take off. "Up to 30 miles per hour," he said in his "Reminiscences," "the Model A could skin the pants off anything on the road." He recalls the chief engineer at Packard calling him and saying. "Hicks, what are you fellows out there trying to do? You really have just made us look silly below 30 miles an hour because we can't catch these Model A's."