Rajo cylinder head questions and value

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Rajo cylinder head questions and value
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 01:23 pm:

Long story short, I have a Rajo head and valve cover that I'm selling for a museum, www.pioneerflightmuseum.org aka The Old Kingsbury Aerodrome. However, I know just about nothing about these things, other than the fact that they are really cool and also that I certainly can't afford one! So, can you all tell me what model it is, and what would be a good asking price for it? You all would know better than I would! If anyone is interested in it, don't hesitate to send me a PM!

It seems to be in much better condition than it looks. It will probably benefit from a valve job, but the guides don't appear to be worn much, if any, and nothing is stuck. At the minimum, I think it just needs a good cleaning and valve lapping and it can be put straight into service.

I've included lots of pictures of it for y'all's benefit:
Rajo 4
Rajo 1
Rajo 2
Rajo 3
Rajo 5
Rajo 6
Rajo 7
Rajo 8


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 01:41 pm:

Cameron I can give you $100 plus shipping for it RIGHT NOW CASH MONEY WHADDAYA SAY?!?!? Lol, dang it! The only way this could make me more crazy is if I in your shoes trying to sell it. Man I want one of these so bad. Gotta start slinging crack or something, lol.

Mark Chaffin is the resident Rajo expert and should be able to chime in and help you.

He just sold a very similar head in the classifieds and was asking $4,200 for it. However, it included intake, exhaust manifold, pair of Stromberg 97s, and was all cleaned up and ready to go. Basically bolt on the car and go.

I'd think that maybe something like $3,500 would be a decent starting point? I defer to Mark.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 01:47 pm:

Seth,

I tried tried that same thing with the owner at the museum! No dice :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Chaffin on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 03:48 pm:

It's a Model BB (Heating port between the intake ports and single plug design. Intake ports are smaller than most B's that come up from time to time. Does not appear to have been milled to death as there is still some metal left below the spark plug ports. $3,500 would be a fair price if it included the intake and exhaust manifolds. So, $2,800 to #3,000 without.

On a side note, I don't consider myself to be an expert but thanks for the vote of confidence Seth:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 05:23 pm:

Mark your more of a expert than me. I thought both B and BB had the heat port and the only difference between the B and BB was 4 vs. 8 spark plugs. I just bought a B and this morning it went to the machine shop for cleaning and magnafluxing.



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 07:06 pm:

Mark or anyone, Do you know the intake port size for B and BB? Were the exhaust ports the same on each? The BBR did not have an intake heat port did the B? I was always under the impression that the BB and BBR had dual spark plugs and the B had a single set. Mark from your comment I'm assuming that is not correct? What little old literature that I have seems to have some conflicting info. More questions than answer!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Chaffin on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 08:34 pm:

The Model B and Model 31 do not have the exhaust bleed port between the intake ports. Also the intake ports on the BB are a smaller diameter (stock was 1 1/4") compared to that of the B, BBR and 31. I have also owned a Model B-8 (eight) head made for police and fire use only. similar to a BBR, but not dual plug. Only the BBR came with dual plugs (16mm). I have see B and BB heads drilled for a second set of plugs with the intakes bored out oversized. Unfortunately, they often break through into pushrod guide holes #2 and #6 when they do bore them out. Exhaust ports pretty much all the same diameter. Model B and 31's were roughly 1/78" diameter.

Regarding John's head casting above. You can see it has had some milling done on the bottom as the spark plug ports are scalloped at the bottom. Indicating about .125 or more has been machined off to raise compression. Stock depth was 1.125 and is not probably about 1.000 like the BBR.

Whew! That was a mouth full.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Chaffin on Monday, August 18, 2014 - 08:37 pm:

Oops! Correction to above. Model B and 31 heads had intake ports measuring 1 7/8". BBR closer to 1 15/16"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 02:06 pm:

Mark, Thank you for the info. So my B is really a BB.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Penserini on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 02:36 pm:

I have to respectfully disagree with Mark. From what I've seen over the years,
All the B Rajo heads I've seen had the heating port between the intakes and had pipe thread spark plugs.
All the BB heads had the heating port and dual ignition using 18 mm plugs.
The BBR had more compression, no heating port, and dual 18mm plugs.
My BBR has dual 18mm plugs, a 7/8 inch deep chamber, and 1 7/8 ports.
I've seen several of the later 26/27 style BB heads with the same size intake and exhaust valves (like a Fronty)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John McGinnis in San Jose area, CA. on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 03:02 pm:

I had what appears to be a BBR with dual plugs, but they were 1/2 pipe...not 16mm(or 18mm), whatever they are. Perhaps it was a BB machined for the extra plugs.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P. Steele, Montana on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 04:06 pm:

This just get more interesting and I guess is fitting for the Model T when trying to figure out what is correct or not correct. At lunch I read an article that said all B and BB's had 1/2NPT plugs and that all BBR's had 18mm.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Penserini on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 04:24 pm:

25 or 30 years ago there was a new cast iron 8 valve Rajo from Australia. I know it did not have the heat port., but don't know if it used 4 or 8 plugs or what size it used.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Barrett on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 06:23 pm:

Mike is spot on with the specs. If you see a Rajo with 8 plugs and the ones on the right are pipe thread, it's a B model drilled for extra plugs, not a BB, no matter what the owner claims. There were oddball heads. I have seen one with no heat port, 4 pipe thread plugs, huge intake ports, and low compression like a B model.
Mark's new Rajo is a beautiful product with all the good features of the old ones and many improvements.
Erik


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Chaffin on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - 12:33 am:

I have also seen many variations as stated above. Since many modifications occurred after initial production by consumers, it is very hard to verify what may have been a factory offering. Research has shown most of the following to be true;

Model 31, introduced 1920, recessed (short) head bolt studs on the passenger side below two intake ports. Four 18mm plugs on the exhaust (driver's) side.

Model B, introduced 1924, Four 1/2" plugs on intake (passenger) side.

Model B (Modified) introduced 1926, No heating port between intake ports with eight 18mm plugs; however, rear of head casting was modified to allow for use with the improved model Ford to clear the gas tank mounted now over the engine.

Model B-8 Introduced also in 1924 for use by police and fire only. Intake ports and compression ratio similar to the BBR; however, only four 18mm plugs located on the intake (passenger) side. I have only seen one of these heads. The owner also had the original advertisement flyer sent to municipalities for their consideration.

Model BB, introduced 1924, Heating port between the two intake ports with eight 18mm plugs; however, I have seen two heads with the heating port with only one set of plugs on the passengers side only.

Model BB-R, introduced 1924, no heating port between the two very large intake ports, 18mm plugs both sides, heavier duty rocker assembly with roller bearings installed in the rocker arms.

Hope this help further clarify. For some good information, check out the article "Overhead Valve Heads for the Model T" by Jarvis Erickson in a past article in the Vintage Ford magazine.


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