Ford Model A Engine Specifications

Nut Sizes:

  • Front Motor Mount Castle Nut: 7/16″-20
  • Engine Head Nuts (grade 8): 7/16″-20
  • Connecting Rod Castle Nut: 7/16″-20
  • Ratchet Nut (attaches bottom pulley to crankshaft): 5/8″-18
  • Main Bearing Bolt Castle Nut: 1/2″-20

Stud Sizes:

  • Regular Head Studs: 3 1/2″ Long
  • Water Neck Studs: 5 3/4″ Long

Bolt Sizes:

  • Flywheel to Crankshaft Bolts: Four 7/16-20 by 13/16″ Long
  • Flywheel Housing to Block: Four 7/16″-14 by 1 1/16″ Long and two 7/16-14 by 1 11/16″ Long
  • Timing Cover Bolts: 3/8″-16 by 1 1/8″ Long
  • Side Timing Gear Bolts:One 7/16″-14 by 2 3/16″ Long and one 7/16″-14 by 1 3/8″ Long (lock washers can be used)

Torque Specs:

  • High Compression Head: 65 lbs
  • Standard Head: 55 lbs
  • Main Bearing Cap Torque 80-100 lbs
  • Flywheel Bolt Torque 65 ft/lbs

Specifications:

  • The stock compression ratio was about 4.22:1
  • Piston displacement 200.5 cu. Inches
  • Bore 3.875″
  • Rated H.P. 24.03 SAE
  • Brake H.P. 40
  • Firing Order 1-2-4-3
  • Stroke 4.250″
  • Gas Tank
    • 28/29– 10 GAL.
    • 30/31– 11 GAL.

Valves:

  • Valve lift .287″
  • Seat Angle: 45°
  • Stem Diameter: .311″
  • Port Diameter: 1 3/8″
  • Valve Opening Diameter: 1 3/8″
  • Valve Guide Clearance:
  • Exhaust: .002″
  • Intake: .001-.0015
  • Valve Spring Length:
  • Free: 2 15/16″
  • Compressed Length: 2 1/4″
  • Valve Spring Force (compressed): 57-64 lbs.
  • Valve Timing:
    • Intake:
      • Opens 7 1/2° before TDC (top dead center)
      • Closes 48 1/2° after BDC (bottom dead center)
    • Exhaust:
      • Opens 51 1/2° before BDC
      • Closes 4 1/2° after TDC

Flywheel:

  • Weight: 63 lbs., 4 oz.
  • Balance: Within .15 In/oz.
  • Clutch Mounting Surface: True with crankshaft within .005″ TIR.
  • Clutch Mounting Shoulder Diameter: Concentric with crank flange diameter within .005″ TIR.

Carburetor:

  • Throat Size: 1″
  • Float Level: 1″ from float to machined surface.
  • Main Jet: #63 drill bit
  • Cap Jet: #63 drill bit
  • Idle Jet: # 75 drill bit

Carburetor Assembly

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Carburetor Info

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Carburetor Adjustment

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Exhaust System:

  • Exhaust Pipe: 2″ ID (Inside Diameter)
  • Tail Pipe: 1-5/8″ ID

Miscellaneous:

    • To remove a stuck head from a “firing” engine you can loosen the head nuts about 1/8″ from the head and start the motor the compression will pop the head up and the motor will stall.
    • Crankshaft weight 28 lbs.
    • Engine Oil Capacity:
  • From Empty: 5 Quarts
  • Oil Change: 4 1/2 Quarts
  • Spark Plugs: Champion 3X, 7/8″-18
  • Spark Gap: .035″

Engine Oiling System

Model A Engine Head Torquing Procedure

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*If you have more information you would like to share please comment it below or email me.*

33 Responses to “Ford Model A Engine Specifications”

  1. mickey says:

    i have a 1930 ford roadster cp i put it gear and seams like transmission is lock up car will not go foward or reverse triyed putting the car in netural and rocking it back and forth car will not move

  2. Del says:

    I have a Model A engine band/installer. Dont have a clue what its for . The tag just says Model A engine band installer/remover. Any ideas?was supposedly 75 years old in 1997.

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  4. Steve Searby says:

    Rebuilding a 1930 Model A engine. Looking for the design clearance between valve tappets and block bore. What was the new bore dimension?

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  7. Recommended gasoline to use? Octane?

    • The best fuel in the US is our top line: 93 octane or 91 octane in exempt areas.
      The octane is higher than the engine needs it. But you want the additive package of the expensive fuel. This helps against valve deposits, piston deposits, gives longer storage time before fuel degradation. Also, the ‘good’ fuels have a better boil-off curve giving us more consistent settings of the spark timing.

  8. Bob Pheiffer says:

    How do you identify a Ford Model “A” transmission and what are it’s specifications

  9. Tony Caldersmith says:

    What is the weight of a A Ford engine?

  10. NESTOR RUNDAU says:

    ESTIMADOS ..TENGO UNA FORD A 1930 COUPE COMERCIAL ,AQUI EN ARGENTINA,
    Y ME GUSTARIA SABER QUE CILINDRADA TENIAN ESTOS MOTORES FORD A 1930,
    YA QUE LAS PUIBLICACIONES LO DICEN EN OTRAS MEDIDAS QUE NO LAS ENTENDEMOS,
    AGRADECIDOS Y MUY LINDA LA PAGINA,,
    GRACIAS

  11. Eric says:

    Where do u add oil after u drain oil for a oil cgange on a 1928 model a roadster pickup??

    • Rick Black says:

      After you replace the gasket and drain plug, start adding 3 quarts of oil through the pipe under the cap on the left side of the engine. Check the oil level on the dipstick and add more oil, 1/2 quart at a time, and keep checking the dipstick until the oil level is between the E and the F. Usually, 4 1/2 quarts will fill the engine if it’s completely void of oil.

  12. Reg says:

    Any idea how to get a stuck head off of a motor that isn’t running?

    • miles says:

      Even if the engine doesn’t run, with the head stud nuts loose you may be able to crank the engine over and pop it loose. Otherwise soak the studs with PB blaster and thread some bolts or lifting eyes in the spark plug holes and pull from there or carefully try to pry the head up, but you run the risk of damaging the sealing surface of the head or block.

  13. ethan says:

    Does anyone know of anyone that rebuilds model a engines in Missouri or Iowa?

  14. vincenzo says:

    hi
    I’m Vincenzo car mechanical and write from Italy …I write because need more information about distribution timing and adjustment valves for FORD MODEL A 1931. I have more difficult for search information I’m loking for pictures and technical information for fix this engine.
    can you help me?

  15. Russell Hatcher says:

    Do you know the torqueing sequence of the head bolts? Thanks

  16. Jorge Sáenz says:

    Muchas gracias por la información. Estoy restaurando un Ford A y todo lo publicado me gustó muchos. Atte. Jorge

  17. Jorge Angel Lopez says:

    Amigos me gustaría participar en la página pero no puedo entrar, quisiera saber como hago para registrarme, saludos cordiales desde Buenos Aires Argentina. Se

  18. jorge lopez says:

    Es una excelente pagina para los amantes de los autos antiguos,me gustaria que publicaran especificaciones del Ford T y del Tucker Torpedo,saludos para todos desde Buenos Aires Argentina.

  19. Josh Morton says:

    Thanks so much on this information. I just inherrited a 1928 Model A from my mother, I am 28, so I have no idea about this. My father is going to teach me how to drive it, but this was very helpful, especially the diagrams. Thank you so much.

  20. John Spradlin says:

    I found the frame number on a 1930 A coupe on the left rail under the front fender. near the firewall.

  21. Wayne Godfrey says:

    I have a 1929 Model A and a 1930 Model A sedan. I know nothing about how to operate these cars. Can you give me a simple exxplanation on how to get them started. THey have oil in the engine and I put water in the radiator. THey have a switch in both but I do not have the key. Do they have a battery ? I can,t find one on either car. The 29 has a crank.
    They have a distributor and are hooked to the plugs with metal strips. Is the throttle on the steering wheel? And does it have a spark control?
    They both are in good shape and it was said that they run just fine. THey are for sale but I need to see if they run properly.

    THanks for any help you mignt pass on to me. I am not a car guy so sorry for asking dumb questions.

    Wayne godfrey

    • miles says:

      First off thanks for visiting the site. Always glad to help.

      The first thing I would do is read through the owners manual located here: https://www.motormayhem.net/mode-a-ford-refrence-sheet/owners-manual/trackback/

      You can click on any of the paged to have a larger,more readable version open.

      The battery for the vehicle is located under the drivers seat floor board in a tray mounted to the frame just in front of the center cross member. Be sure to remember that it is a 6V battery not a 12V and the chassis ground is the positive not the negative cable.

      Starting them is a little more complicated than a modern car, but by no means difficult. First you will need to make sure the gas is turned on at either the bottom of the gas tank (which is the cowl) or where it goes trough the firewall. Then you can insert a key and turn it to the on position. This will turn on power to the spark plugs. Then move the lever on the left side of the steering column all the way up/forward. This adjusts the spark for starting (I cant remember if it is retarding or advancing it). You can then pull the choke rod/carburetor adjustment in front of the passengers seat to choke the engine. Next making sure the transmission is in neutral you can activate the started by pushing the little silver pedal near the firewall between the drivers and passenger seat. Once it starts release the starter pedal and unchoke it. Also you can then set the spark lever around the middle. Be aware I have had numerous starter pedals stick when I release them so you may have to stomp the pedal or disconnect the batteries if you cant get it to shut off.

      There is a throttle on the steering column (right side) and a gas pedal. The one on the steering column is used mostly for adjusting the idle higher. The metal strips from the spark plugs to the distributor are stock and are correct.

      Whomever is selling the vehicles should be able to start and run them for you if they claim they are in running order. Please feel free to ask me any more questions and I will be glad to answer them as soon as I can.

      Thanks,
      Miles

      • Wayne Godfrey says:

        Thanks for the informtion ! It worked, I got them started.
        i have another question! Where do I find the VIN # on these cars? or do they have one?

        Wayne

        • miles says:

          Not 100% sure here but I think normally the VIN is the engine serial number or the frame serial number. If those numbers match the engine and frame came from the factory together. Otherwise there will be a VIN plate mounted somewhere on the vehicle that was issued by the DMV. When you get them registered you may be given a VIN plate to install as these didn’t have a real VIN when they were made.

          • David Smith says:

            Where would you look for the vin# on the frame I`ve looked everywhere thank you for ur help. This is a great web site.

          • miles says:

            There is no actual VIN #, just the serial # which may be around the firewall. If not the DMV will issue you a plate with a VIN number on it to install as these never had a real vin number.

          • Steve Searby says:

            The frame serial number is stamped onto the top of the frame, left side, near the firewall. The engine serial number is stamped on a smoothed surface on the left side of the block close to the cylinder head. When the engine was installed at the factory one or the other was stamped to match (I forget which), so the original engine and frame serial numbers will be identical.

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