Modernizing The 1929 Ford Model A Valvetrain 

The good thing about the model a blocks is that you can put .120 over pistons in it. After the .120 pistons wear out you can put sleeves in all the holes and start back over from std.

The only problem with these videos are we never see the completed project. Great work! Thanks for the great videos!

I was 15 / 16 when I started Building Model A Engines back in the day, 1971 through 1981. When My Mentor "SCOTTY" Passed away. YOU MY MAN, I WISH You were around and had the Same Capabilities as we see here. I LOVE the Work you did here to Improve on the Model A Valve-train. That wudda Been Really Nice to do back in the Day. And YES, Adjusting those Valves is Fun. Nice Job JIM. Really Nice Work!! Really NICE!!! I'am 69 now and No longer have my A's, Miss em too. Last Engine I did was a Model "C" with the Big Crankshaft Journal's and Counter Balance. SMOOOOOTTTTHHHH it was Back then. Keep it up Jim, the Hobby Need's your Expertise.

You all got that block is more true than when it was new. Very nice

You gave that engine another 100 years of service life. Fantastic work!!

I know you get comments about wanting to see the running engine, but I’m one of those that gets great satisfaction from the machining. If you’ve seen one engine run, you’ve seen them all. But a good job of machining is a work of art. And that art form has reached its pinnacle here on RU-vid. The creative process is now performance art. And the skills required just gives the performance that much more impact. I love it when you say “half-thousandth”. Precision. Thank you for these videos. Thank you for being a perfectionist.

This guy is the real deal. He made that engine better than when it left the factory. 🙌🏾

Thank you to Antique Engine Rebuilding for the modern parts! Be sure to check them out for your Model A and B parts! Drop by their FB and leave a comment to let them know we sent you! antiqueenginerebuilding.com/ facebook.com/AntigueEngineRebuilding

Years ago I did a major restoration job on a 9N Ford tractor that uses the same base engine design and decided to update everything including the remanufactured engine while in it. Two huge engine improvements I did were to port out the block so the intakes and exhaust passages were much larger and smoother flowing. Then gut out the old front mount distributor and coil assy and add an electronic conversion kit set up to fire an external coil instead of the old block type it originally had. Beyond that was a full 12v conversion with a 1-wire alternator and extra lighting since it had the power to spare. Engine wise I maybe gained 4 - 5 Hp, but when it only had about 25 to work with, that's actually a huge performance step up.

Not sure what it is but there is something therapeutic about watching old warped surfaces come back to life. Love this stuff and full engine builds. Hope we get a chance to hear this engine run. 🍻👍🇦🇺

My usual valve train assembly is lifters with engine upside down, then the cam. Gravity holds the lifters out of the way while inserting the cam. Roll the engine right way up. Then insert springs and then valves. Turn the cam to install the locks on the valves that are on the heel of the cam.

Nice to see a bit of history being restored.

Watching precise machining like this is like watching surgery on inanimate objects. Great stuff

That feeling you get when the studs comes out with out breaking!!!😎😎👍👍

When I was a kid, I raced junior autocross in a car with a Ford side valve engine (E93A). This engine was so similar. Thanks for sharing the video.

Wow! You really do a great job. My dad introduced me to the Model A around 1969. My son inherited the last one in the line of "A's" we had 3 . When my dad stopped driving it the truck was ready for a second complete rebuild. Granddad passed it to my son. Since my son is in the service and has been for 20 plus years the old girl is patiently waiting. Lots of fun time with the old fords. Great stories to share. Keep up the great work.

That’s one lucky engine , I bet even now days not many get this kind of workmanship applied to them . I’m sure this will be around another century thanks to this incredible work

About the Legos as wedges. If a stupid idea works, it's not stupid. I think it was a bloody brilliant idea.

This was an automatic sub for me. The slow-mo of the planer clips is oddly soothing. I love this, and any other general engine geekery, and I'll be here watching your work.

It's obvious you all take a ton of pride in your work, and having 2nd and 3rd generation (even if 2nd gen is just the janitor now, ha!) is amazing. Great job! I'd love to see some follow-ups if any of your customers would be willing to provide them. As satisfying as it is seeing it all decked and ready to go, even more so seeing it running after everything is done. Keep up the good work.

Excellent! It's been many years since I've ground valves... We ground the seats with stones back in the 1970s, although the "Quik-Way" cutter systems were emerging and were highly desirable. We didn't have any way to use a milling machine to cut the seats, but instead we cut them by hand with a T-Handle. I built a lot of racing engines, and we'd cut some really narrow seats for those engines! It was great fun 45-50 years ago, but the stuff your shop has makes what we were doing look pretty crude! Love the channel!

I did this exact thing years ago. We also had a block of steel to stop the press in guides. All of our seats were cut by hand with the old quick-way hand turned seat cutters. We had a plate with slots cut in it to slide under the valves to hold them open. It was a pain in the a**. I have put many sleeves in A blocks but the measurements are in the distant fog of my memory. Yours sound familiar but I left that shop in 1979 so........ yeah. Cool stuff. Save what we can. Cheers Terry

Wow that Kroil penetrated deep. I’m sold. I’ll take 10 cans.

The machine work you've done to this block and head is vastly superior to what was originally done. They didn't have to be that great from the factory as there really isn't a lot of pressure trying to force its way out like there is on today's engines. Awesome work man. Henry would be proud

this channel has taught me that engine building is a lot more niche than general machining. Including knowledge of lego sizes lol! Love seeing this old block get new life

I am from west Texas; born in 1950. My family were farm and ranch folks with the skill and money to own and operate farm machines. I now know that some of the equipment was flat head and some was overhead valve. In 1968 I worked in fast food service my Boss (owner of the franchise) asserted that a Model A engine would run 80 miles an hour : all day long; with the exhaust manifold glowing cherry red.I had great interest in things motor and car (motorcycle& bicycle) I cannot say that there was much speed equipment but but people got to work and made trips to visit family! I want to say THANKYOU for your great hard Work and content. This is a wonderful Find!

I mainly work on air cooled Porsche and BMW stuff. Watching this video is fascinating. I knew nothing about these engines. Very cool to see how these go together. Kroil is the bomb, btw. I could have a engine sitting underwater for 50 years and Kroil could get that freed up.

The skill and experience of this channel is great man. Respect to you and your Dad. 💪🏻

Awesome work! I know after machine work is done it goes back to the customer, but I always wish I could see the final assembly and watch it fire up. Cheers! 🍻

Just love to see skilled people at work, so much to learn.

So satisfying to see the studs come out without breaking. That is the worst feeling in machine or automotive repair work when they snap.

This is the first time I have ever seen a block that could be over bored .100. There aren't many if any V8 blocks that can safely go .060 unless you go aftermarket. Another beautiful job JAMSI!

Speaking as a mechanic, I do always like to "start what I finish" but with a machine shop that's rarely the case. It would be nice if you had vids from the obvious labour of love that is the complete rebuild of a model A engine from the customer as a follow up to your vids.😉 I really enjoy watching the craftsmanship you're both putting into the application of your trade.❤

I run a cnc live tool lathe every day and I still enjoy watching this channel and how calming and knowledgable you are

I can spend all day watching videos like this!

As a 1929 model A Ford owner I love this video

We recently did similar work on a 31 model a engine (a long with a non-babbit bearing conversion for the mains) and the engine series idles smoother and quieter than my 2018 mustang GT. (Direct injection pumps are noisy). Now customer has a model a engine that is probably way way better than they ever left the Ford plant 😁. Good job helping keep old machines alive!

Wow. If those were original studs, the threads on the studs and in the hole are in amazing condition. But that entire casting is in remarkable condition, considering it's age. At least it looks that way to my not exactly professional eye. Nice piece, and nice work. And the Legos just goes to show how endlessly versatile they truly are and that you would be hard pressed to find a better toy to encourage development in anyone at any age. The skill and attention to detail you guys display makes me feel like I accomplished something just watching. 10 out of 10.

I've only worked on 2 of this type engines (flat head) and both times it was a real chore with the valve stem spring retainers but knowing how much easier it is with an overhead valve engine my hat goes off to those old school mechanics

Been a mechanic 40yrs. Never had the opportunity to work on model a. Interesting video amazing work that you and your dad perform.

The one-piece valve guides are genius. You made it look easy... I still have the same spring compressor your dad has and a couple of others in my tool box that old geezer machinest can't give away.

Great seeing the younger generation taking up the banner! You and my diesel mechanic son would get along just fine!

Son, you've come a long way since I first started watching your channel which makes it all that much better! Many thanks.

As far as I'm concerned you have the dream job, Family owned engine machine shop. I love it!!🏁🏁🏁

Great engineering beautifully executed. Thank you for sharing. That is one heck of an engine…. Now ready for the next 100 years. 😎👍

That made me smile.. these old machines can be a challenge eh guys.. I know I have done a number of them in my 70+ years.. Well done though.. This being your first one and being so old I bet it was kind of scary.. I know my first one was.. But that was back in the end of the 50's or beginning of the 60's. There was still a few places you could get original parts for it.. Well done boys.. thanks for the share!!

I am an aircraft mechanic and use aero roil all the time. Love the stuff.

Beautiful workmanship.

It´s an honor to observe the work of a real craftsman -- diligent, knowledgeable, experienced, and having the best equipment and techniques. You cannot fake pride in ones´ work. _Subscribed!_

I love the Legos! I can tell you really enjoy your work and the end product shows it.

Have new found respect for good automotive machine work. I have done machine work for over 30 years but never got into the auto work. Great job on the ol A block...

very satisfying to watch, especially surfacing the block and head! you know the engine will run well!

Glad to see that you found Kroil! The best penetrant I have found. Me and a buddy split a case every year.

That’s a beautiful machine job. The last of the old school engine machinists in my town recently passed. It’s an art!

That work was handled really we and came out looking amazing. Definitely proof that there's still machine shops that still care about working engines that are so old and will buy new kit just so they can do the job justice 👍👍👍👍👍

Having been a professional mechanic for over 20 years I can say that one of the best lessons anyone can learn for wrenching is that almost every stuck fastener can be removed. With a combination of heat, impact, penetrant and most importantly patience it is doable in almost every situation. Even if it takes you 20 minutes to remove a single bolt or a stud it's still less time than it will take to drill out a broken one and restore the threads.

I love the old engines. They were simple and very cool. Also watching the machining process is very cool. I really like seeing the machines work away the imperfections

Cool video. Blending the old school technology with the modern technology. I still want to see these motors being built and seeing the babit bearings being replaced

My father in law has a 1936 ford V8. Its beautiful. He has take this car from everything off the chassis, cleaned everything and repainted the chassis and more. He upgraded it from mechanical brakes to Hydraulic, and the engine is larger than the original. The previous owner had hot rodded it, so the larger engine was his idea. He was the 2nd owner of this car. Its been in a garage since he bought it. Im waiting till he gets it finished for my ride in this beautiful vehicle. The engine does need to be reworked like this one.

Made that stud removal look so easy. This is all badazz. Good work man

Would be interesting to see a follow-up on some of these more esoteric engines such as this model A. Once they're assembled and operating.

bro holding the valves open with legos was the best thing ive ever seen

The slow mo shots were the coolest! Where you can see the shavings flying around 🤣👍👍👍

I love that you cleaned the block so well before returning it to the customer. I almost installed a head that was loaded with abrasive debris in the oil channels from a machine shop valve job. .learned not to assume parts are clean from a machine shop.

I really wish we could get to see some of these run! No question it's better than new, now.

I am glad you show this stuff, I get tired of the "experts" who claim everything has to be accomplished with just the right tool, and you can't use your head to solve problems..............Lego's are perfect example.

The Kroil family of products are great and one reason is they are a family run business! Now I’ve seen some back to back tests on RU-vid that have tested there products against many others and they don’t really stand out as a heck of a lot better than others however I will always support a American family run business over a multi continent huge corporation any day of the week! Besides there products have always worked for me!

Nice job.The split valve guides take me back a few years, as I worked on the Ford side valve engines.

Great video. Can sympathise your aggravation refitting the valve collets. I've done quite a few fitted on Rolls Royce B81 straight 8 engines. I used to smear water pump grease on my fingers then virtually standing on my head ( the block was still.in the vehicle) managed to refit. Even after years of doing them, it was never easy, so don't beat yourself up about it Keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing an update on the Jaguar 4.2

I've said it before...this machine work is just plain fascinating ...another outstanding job

I do like how you blue the surface before you start taking material off. It does show you and us just how much the surface is worn out.

Loved this video. Shows how a true professional works.

Loved the series-seeing the mods and work done all with your guys’ scrutiny and meticulous work is awesome

You guys do absolutely fantastic work. Thank you!

Very nice work! This reminded me of doing the very same rebuild 64 years ago on a 1931 model A. I only had to go 60 over and did not have to put new valve seats in, just grind them to match the new valves. I found a shop that poured the main bearings for me. I wish that I still had the A Model. I was taking machine shop in high school at that time. Fred P.......

Grandpa's valve spring tool and your old Lego blocks, beautiful! Your Grandpa is looking down on you and smiling! Nice work.....

I have actually seen earlier blocks where the bores weren't completely perpendicular with the rest of the engine (or to each other), also seen them with a few of the bores offset one way or another by almost .020. Not sure if they left the factory that way, or if they had poor machine work done before I got into them, but it definitely wasn't something I was expecting to see. That one turned out great, will probably now outlive all of us.

Would love to see that bugger finished & running. Nicely done.

💀Good job man... even the chips from the seat pockets were uniform as hell.

Very cool! Always been curious about old model A engine's.

you can also get a fork type tool for the valvesprings i bought one when i had my flat 4 banger but it was a cool video and the legos was a good choice really wont mare the surfaces

I am so glad I came across this channel. I am a automotive shop owner with a drag racing background. Engine machine work is becoming such a lost art. My small town and every town around me had a local machine shop growing up. Now I have to drive over an hour to my nearest one. I love seeing quality workmanship like this.

I love watching manual machining. I was lucky enough to do my apprenticeship in a business that reconditioned their own engines and as mechanics, we got to learn how to do valve cutting, honing, and engine dismantling and assembly in a machine-shop setting. I was surprised to see you use impact to fit valve guides and seats as I was taught to use the shop press on all these parts. Listening to you rattle off the measurements I am very glad that we adopted the metric system as I started my trade. I could use both and I am here to tell you metric is way better. A great video and I will watch more.

Thoroughly entertaining! Would love to see the engine running as a follow up? 👌🏻

I was half expecting vvt and fuel injection being done with my idea of modernizing an old engine but this is more realistic I suppose

Just a ton of skill and professionalism involved.

im not a mechanic but i enjoy watching your channel . i wanted to be a machinist when younger butt opted to work on drilling rigs instead. did get an opportunity to work on desal engines for 18 years but messed up and got promoted to working derricks, then it just kept getting worse from there , after 32 years in the feild i finally gave it all up and retired but i sure wished i had done what yall are doing, thanks for the upload and take care ......Marcus in west Texas

Love the detail u guys put in your work 👍 sometimes try and squeeze some of the engine's running

Just a thought, do you ever check cam shafts for straightness? It’s a procedure I rarely see done but easy to check and correct.

Old is gold. Valves wear and tear and seats too. But in olden days spare valves and brand new seats fixed .Modern time use and throw. So having a vehicle by common people no longer possible. And power brake, power steering, power window in era of power crisis will make us reach nowhere rather the exercise that build muscles etc lost in excessive luxury and extravagant lifestyle. Watching this video remind of the best of times

Thanks, great video series on this engine. You and dad obliviously did a lot of research, also your dad's experience was a big help in this one.

So how much of a difference in compression will the machining make ? Loved the lego idea.

What did the cleaning guy think about the Lego?

The legos got me. I noticed they were legos before you said something. I was like what is going on here. Great work

even if you are NOT a machinist, its great to see and learn HOW the work is done, youve presented it well, and the slo-mo's are mesmerising! i hope more younger folk are learning to use this equipment, maybe we, as a country, can get back to MAKING and REPAIRING things instead of throwing stuff away and making other countries rich

Gonna be interesting when done. Wonder how different it will run

I have done a valve job on a 1937 Pontiac straight 8. Thankful for those old tools!

As a retired machinist and backyard mechanic this was very enjoyable to view. For those that may not know cast iron is not so easy to mill. In my 45 years of experience I've never milled cast iron.

Having worked as an industrial maintenance man for over 40 years, I found that Kroil is the best penetrating oil that I ever used.

Extremely satisfying to watch this old, ugly block machined and have some life brought back into it. I would love to see the finished, working product. Keep up the good work!