Time to assemble the engine for our Model A Ford | Redline Update #20
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Davin is back in our shop and ready to start assembly on our Model A Ford engine. With freshly machined parts from Ron's Machine Shop (watch that update here: • Pouring Babbitt bearin... ), Davin torques down the weighted and balanced crankshaft before making quick work of the piston and rod assemblies. Pistons get dropped into the block along with lifters and camshaft to keep moving the build along. Watch and learn as Davin talks about some of the quirks that go along with assembling an engine that's almost 100 years old.
Subscribe to our UA-cam Channel! | bit.ly/2iooBxJ
#RedlineRebuilds #RedlineUpdates #HagertyDriversClub
LIKE us on FACEBOOK | / hagerty
FOLLOW us on TWITTER | / hagerty
FOLLOW us on INSTAGRAM | / hagertyclassiccars
Check out our most popular video series:
BARN FIND HUNTER | • Barn Find Hunter | Tom...
REDLINE REBUILDS: Automotive Time-lapse rebuilds | • Redline Rebuilds | Aut...
WHY I DRIVE | • Why I Drive | Unique s...
FLAT OUT: Pushing classic cars to the limit | • Flat Out | Driving cla...
Find out more about Hagerty | www.hagerty.com
Hagerty is your definitive source for all things classic: compelling stories about cool cars and the people who love them; the latest on collector car values and market trends; and all the eye candy, roaring engines and nostalgia you can handle. So strap down, settle in and cruise with us a while. We’re glad you’re here.
Contact us.
Phone: 877-922-9701
Fax: 231-941-8227
Suggestions and/or Complaints: Your2Cents@hagerty.com
Marketing & Event Inquiries: marketing@hagerty.com
Media Inquiries: press@hagerty.com
Our rebuild is complete! Check out the full Redline Rebuild time-lapse video now: ua-cam.com/video/GGn-5VoS-m8/v-deo.html
Hagerty Love this video, but the cameraman needs to sober up and settle down.
My dad who was a old school mechanic in the early days, I am 72 now. He would tell me stories of how things were done back then. One of his stories was from a shop he worked in that had a stand that had stand for wearing in the bearings that used another engine that would rotate the engine you were wearing in. He said that they would turn it for a while then tighten the rods little at a time tell they were seated in to where they wanted them.
He also told me a story about that once in the shop they were working on a model T . They had installed the rear end up side down . When they went to test drive it out, they drove it into the back wall of the shop instead of out the door.
I could just picture that in my mind. I love to listen to all the old stories he told about the old day's.
The process was called burnishing the Babbitt and they smoked but only with oil
Me imagino que ha de haber sido una muy bonita experiencia la que viviste con tu padre, que días tan gloriosos, si señor!!
this must be by far YT's most exquisite motoring channel. He is the mechanical version of a chef in French haute cuisine. a gourmet machine shop.
Wut
Congratulations, you have written one of the most pretentious UA-cam comments of all time.
I could not agree more. This is the Iron Chef of car shows. But, @ViceGripGarage is the Bob's Burgers of car shows, which to me, is exactly what I need after I watch all this smart-guy, matching numbers stuff. Hmmm, sparkilators 😎
Never thought I needed to see a Ford model A engine rebuild, glad I did.
The antiquated technology to determine clearance and bearing assembly is astounding. I cannot imagine the amount of engines that were trashed because of insufficient knowledge or clearance during remanufacture or rebuild. This information is the stuff of dreams. Being able to hold a conversation with a 90 year old man at a car show and seeing him look at you in awe because you know about this process - it's priceless.
Watched your vid with tears in my eyes...my dad's first car was a Ford Model A. I have 1 pic of it probably taken in the 1940's. He passed in 2008 at age 81.
Lietuva?
I never will own a Model A nor have any association with an engine that is this old. But in watching this video you taught me a lot about the history and build of these engines that I did not know. My experience with engines dates back to the 60's and no earlier. So this is an eye opener for sure. I thank you for your teaching effort. That's what you do....you teach us fascinating things. Way to go.
My Dad was born in 1904. He was driving grandpa's T when he was 8 yrs old. Grandpa was 6'6" and a logger in kings Ferry Fla, near Fernandina. He was tall and rode in back seat. My Dad ran it low on oil, and a rod was knocking and on the way home took off rod cap and cut a piece off his belt for a bearing and drove home. When the spokes were loose and rattling he would drive it across a spring to tighten the spokes. When he was older he raced model T"s on the beach and outran larger more powerful cars. I would love to hear from someone who has history of the races at Fernandina Beach, cause I never had a picture of his car. He went to Church with his cousin Lacy who's sons Ronnie, Donnie, and Johnny became Southern Rockers. Most youngster's probably never heard of Skynyrd!
I like how organized you are. It's easier to follow when your work area is free of clutter and junk.
Just watching this makes the memories come running back. I and my friends rebuilt I don't know how many 4 cyl Fords in the late 50s, JC Whitney had tons of parts on the shelf. We built 2 Model A's. The old Flat Heads were easy to work on once you understood they were like no other motors out there.
I worked as a mechanic in the 60s, when we had to install pistons in the cylinders, we ensured that the ring gaps of the rings were distributed around the circumference. If the ring gaps were in line, the compression would be challenged.
I live in the UK and have to say these redline rebuild videos with Davin are by far the best videos on UA-cam, I like his explanation of each part and enjoy watching the strip down and rebuild. Fantastic keep it up 👍
Wow I will probably have forgot most of what I learned from your last two videos but for right now I learned so much I have always wanted to learn about the model A rods & main bearings thanks for making these videos and learning that only the middle main bearing is pressurized! We had a Model A growing up and I always wondered about the engine and you have given me some closure but don’t worry I will keep watching until you get the old girl running!
Its crazy awesome to see how far the auto industry has come...Keep up the good work. Looking forward to seeing this project being completed and seeing what's next.
Enjoy the videos I am 70 now mechanic and worked in many shops.
Something about watching these old engines getting put back together makes me want to start a project or something. This series is going to lead me into rebuilding an engine myself and oh the horrors I will probably commit with out watching every single one of these videos and listening to all of Davin's advice. Great video as always.
I never knew the old 4-cylinders were so different. Watching this with a fresh perspective now.
Oh yes. And every manufacturer had its own little quirks. the valve in head engines are much easier to work on than the old flatheads. .
@@burn1962ride or, they just never had an opportunity to be around those older cars to learn how they were different. The oldest car I have ever worked on is a 1964 Ford.
I work at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant.
On the motor line!
It’s crazy cause you see stuff written on stuff...
Like “Earl was here 9/16/31”
Those engines were assembles FAST! Real fast! 24 hours a day 6 days a week for the Model A.
@@fixedguitar47 I have read stories in the past about the "signatures" left behind at the Ford assembly plant. Lots of history there.
Wayne Campbell - It’s the oldest continually operating Ford plant.
I know because there’s a HUGE sign that reads “Welcome to Fords oldest continually operates assembly plant”
It’s crazy cause you look up vintage pictures of guys standing next to the old cars that were built there, and you can find where it was taken and stand in the exact spot.
It’s so cool getting to work in a piece of history. You can hear the echoes of the past
Man, this guy and his team are simply awesome.
So much to learn. I didn't know how much I didn't know. Comforting to see that even you learned a thing or two. Excellent video as always, Davin! Thank You for making it and posting it!
They need to sell this as a kit. Looks like fun. 🚘
🤣 you're a perfectionist and I like that. 👍
I have rebuilt several of the Model A's . Takes me some time because of not being as familiar with them . Back in the day when they were common a rebuilder could fix one in a hurry . Funny how we tend to forget older ways of doing things . Going to be doing a straight 8 Buick in a couple of weeks at my shop . It has babbit rod bearings but inserts on the mains . The new main bearing inserts still come with shims . You have to plastigage them .
good you keep old tresures like model a fords still alive they are just so beautifull cars 🚗 😀
I was always taught to put the bushing end of the rods in warm oil mixed with zinc and let them sit for about an hour before installing the pin. Not sure if it makes a difference but I’ve been doing it for years and never had an issue
That's pretty cool. I remember grandpa telling me when they overhauled an engine, they had to "build them so tight, you had to drag it down the road to get it started", I thought maybe he was yanking my chain. Now I know why. Pretty cool stuff
Doesn't anyone make a crank that is drilled for pressurized bearings? I know NOTHING about these, but with all of the aftermarket everything today, I am shocked they haven't come up with drop in bearings and pressurized oiling of everything! Glad you are doing this build and talking us through it. This is the first time I have ever seen the guts of one of these engines. My grandfather use to tell me about having to rebuild those engines in no time at all and how they use to drain the water out of them for the winter. Back in the early 70's he was telling me how easy we have it... Hahahahahahaha... If he were just alive today to see gas engines turning 400 thousand miles.....
Engines back then went that far too sometimes, just not Ford engines. Packard had one with half a million on it in the 30's. Notice the 5/16's rings, and cast to boot, you won't see that today because cast rings suck for mileage and that thick isn't needed anymore with the tolerances of todays stuff.
That was a very well explained process. If I knew zero about engines, it would have been enjoyable to watch. People who are passionate about their craft are great to watch.
Shame.every man should know how engine is working!
As your explaining the break in of the babbitt bearings it made me think of Ford's old model A plant video in black and white at the end where they run the car on what I thought was a Dyno just before they exited the building but I would venture to guess it was actually starting the engine against the babbitt if the starter can't start it.
Never heard of the Time Saver method of babbit bearing clearance ? It really is a more gentle way to start a new engine .
And I thought that Hagerty knew everything
Just got the alert! Watching after a saturday bar shift with a cold beer. WIN!
Wild how they did things back in the day! I salute you for trying old school method sir! 🇺🇸
I am thoroughly enjoying this. So much great information for my hopefully Modal A purchase.
Great video!! So interesting to see all the differences from a more "modern" motor. Keep up the excellent work
!!
Davin !!! Is there ANYTHING YOU HAVEN'T DONE ??? FREAKING GENIUS
What a fine engine! It was godparent to the rare "Skymotor 70 A" made in Milwaukee in the thirties but couldn`t prevail...
wow those cotter pins on the rods blow my mind
That looks so cool and awesome!
I never knew 4 cylinder engines of the past are considerably different compared to modern 4 cylinders! Can't wait for the Redline Rebuild...
"...and Davin's heart grew 10 times". ..how else would he have gotten that Model A to turn over! Thx Hagerty & Redline.
I really enjoy all of the music. Please keep that up.
Yep. Shim beaing clearance to "spec" during a rebuild/overhaul - especially using plastigage - and it's going to knock when you start it.
The soundtrack was fantastic. Thanks for another great video.
Man brother I AM so proud of you if I was a machinist I'd be just like you your cool
this workshop is cleaner than my kitchen after I prepared some snack xD
Am really enjoying watching this build!
So much information O drama Well done well done , this is true entertainment with great real world Knowledge, thank you
Awesome job guys keep saving that vintage iron
Can't wait to hear this thing roar when its all done.
Best car channel on UA-cam.
How cool, back into time.
This guy is a damn genius. Damon love.
I love it I love it so cool watching this old old engine be made new I have learned a lot love to videos keep up the good work
Ford really built these things to last. Murica!!!
Ease the Babbitt in. Run a bit then let cool down. Increase time and speed between cool downs. Slow speeds driving first 500. Do oil 4 oil (with zinc) changes particularly before 50. Know a rebuilder who never had a return with this break in. Pull shims if excess rear main oil leaks. A dime size drip ok. Silver dollar size means it’s time.
love you videos ! really love the fast motion ones, they are extremely entertaining
Very interesting. You could simply modify your Model T rotating flange / tool but machining it short (as mentioned) and then machine a hex (3/4") on the shaft end. No welding needed.
14.08 And as I rotate it I can feel it freeing up already (grabs shoulder in pain)... hahhaa..
you do wonderful work on them engines you do.
Dave....My Fellow Michigander !
I’m from Perry ( near Lansing)
Wow I'm 4 mins in and I feel thoroughly educate... top vid
Awesome build, definitely a different era of motor building! Loving this series!
Good work!! Hello from Ukraine!!
This has been an interesting series; unlike the normal, vanilla build.
So much fun to watch!
5:25 It is unusual to have that kind of oil ring on an American gasoline engine, but many German gasoline engines use that kind of ring. I think many Russian gasoline engines also use that kind of oil ring. No matter who makes a diesel, that kind of piston ring is what is usually used.
6:32 This is also because some piston rings are non-directional.
Diesels often used wider piston rings than gasoline engines. I wouldn't be surprised if some modern diesel rings are used in place of old gasoline rings.
I watch with fascination and awe as the rebuild continues as well as the learning; where does the knowledge base come from since this is not your everyday rebuild?
Excellent job
Very interesting have never seen this type rebuild before.
I just can't resist, if Abbott and Costello worked in a machine shop, you know every once in awhile you'd hear,heyyy Babbitttt!!!!! Lol! Oh yeeeaaah.▪☆☆☆▪
Mecânica clássica...é show!!🇧🇷
I much prefer the calm sounding music on this video over the hard rock attitude noise on some of his other videos
Ever seen the video of how Henry burned in the bearings at the factory? The new engines were hooked to a huge electric motor and ran a bit. I recall seeing smoke just pour out of them during that process. If I ca find the video again I share the link...great video though sir!
I enjoy this series.
I think the engines were broke in on stands with electric motors at the FORD plant when they were new.
Sorry, just added that "reply" on a comment above. That's also what I read.
And it was called burnishing
Woooooow.... can't wait to see it roaring
You sure know what your doing. American know how!
Great work!
Should recreate the assemble line that it was built on.
That’s how it’s done!
I never heard of babbitt bearings before. after breaking them in, does babbitt material float around in the engine oil?
No. It is just like soft metal bearings used in cars until recently when they went to aluminum bearings.
the power plant i work at still uses Babbitt bearings on their fan motors and other things it's called a pour and bore, and you need to have a lot of borax to make the Babbitt stick
To the rod and block
,Used as a flux
Learned about Babbitt in tech school. I was wondering if actual bearing inserts, or shells are available for this engine? Would make life much easier!
Always waiting for the updates with anticipation!
Love your work.
Engine brake in period would have been quite noticeable back then, unlike finely machined components of today.
It's like a big Briggs and Stratton engine except it's built much better!
Excellent! Always enjoy these vids.
G'Day,,,,Have seen similar fitting in heavy industry,,But if me would have scraped the bearing in,
that would depend on Babbitt mix,,more white metal,,
It is amazing what weight a Babbitt will hold,These huge gearbox's built before my time and many others,still going strong today with fresh scrapping every now and then,,they are soft and do distort,,but for the work they have done and will do,
I noticed an oil groove,,have you included wedges as well,????
thats the secret to getting it to last the oil wedge,and of course the oil,
It's called burnishing the model T engine was said to put on the burnishing machine which is turned by an electric motor oil the bearings freely and let them smoke freely. The model A is the same way
With the crank & inside of the block painted are there any worries about the paint eventually coming loose and interfering with the lubrication?
Fascinating.
all videos are so good
Boost it! Worlds first 500hp model A
Good job 👍
Good show.
Are these like the flathead where the valves are actually in the block and not the head?
My dad was a Machinist back in the day we had to clean all the parts the way we did babbit bearing to fit right we put the fly wheel on with bearings in place sung them up some about 10 lb turn the flywheel if it was easy to turn we would tighten it up say 20 lb if that was still and had legs as you turned it you took the bearing caps off look for the shiny spots that would break out his pocket knife grape the shiny spots smooth put it back together do it until there was no more shiny spots turn the flywheel if there is light resistance you would torque that down do it again until there was a light drag on the flywheel and if it was good the engine was good we had no torque wrenches at that time I'm 75 now my dad would if he lives he would be 106 have a good day
Looking good.
Great job on this Ol Gal. How do you know when to remove some of the shims?
That 18 HP monster will twist the chassis
Cool build
Very cool and interesting. Will or do you already have a video on rebuilding a Ford flathead V-8? I picked up a few of them from a guy I know. I don’t know much about them as of yet. Or what tools I will need if there are any specialty tools needed for disassembly and reassembly.
How did they do a 1st time engine start at the Ford factory with the tight tolerances?
Hey, do my Buick straight eight next, will ya...
I'd like to see that.
Nearly forgot the I-8s existed.
It will be especially exciting if the crank bearings need to be align honed. Very few shops could do that job, I think they might have to source that out to a heavy diesel specialist.
@@skylinefever
Agreed, then the straight eight project rebuild is a go....
I would worry that the Babbit bearing are just too tight. In the original Ford factory the engines did not have to be spun to free them up I think. The danger is that the Babbit bearings will overheat and melt before proper clearances have been established -recalling that the oil has to have a clearance to work.