Finally some more progress. First block machined. It needs to have the deck finish ground, valve seats done and main bores line honed. It was done mostly on a CNC machining centre so the next ones will be considerably quicker

Will this use insert bearings? That is a really tough looking engine block.that should be able to withstand most anything you can bolt to it.

Mack
yes it will use Ford 2.3 litre OHC main bearing shells

Are these blocks going to be used with side valves or overhead? Or, are you going to make some with just holes for the push rods and no ports. Neat looking set up. Not that I am looking for one, but just thought I would ask.
MarkG

Mark
total production is 4! They are all sold. As far as I know one will be flathead and the other 3 will be overhead. Maybe some day I will make some more. I would really like to make a aluminum one. I plan to have 5 crankshafts and rods made.

Nice work Les! Wish I had one of those.

Would I be out of line asking what the price would be if they were available? Nelson

Are you planning on using an A camshaft?

cool

Nelson
I really don't know what they are going to cost. I am making nothing on this, just trying to break even.
Tim
Haven't thought about camshafts, it will handle 5 cam bearings of model T size and i suppose it could be opened up for A camshaft bearings.
Royce and Anthony
Thank you for the kind words, I thought about this project for about 10 years before I went ahead.

Les, I'm planning on coming up for a couple days when Harry gets back from Panama. We want to run up to the Reynolds and see if they have anything I can't live without. Can we come and take a look? Are you going ahead with the Schubert Superfire Head program? I hope so. Great stuff!!!

Stan
I will be away from November 16 to December 4, so after the 4 th would be great for me. I would be glad to see you here.

Les

I remember seeing this project popup from time to time on here. I don't know if you have ever visited it, but thehamb.com is a good hotrodding forum. The folks over there like most everything, and something like this would probably be right up their alley. Even if it isn't, they still seem to love stories about people who can't buy the parts they need so they go out and make/have them made.

It is wonderful to see these have come so far.

Richard

Richard
Thanks for the info. I will go and look. I just figured the guys here would find my doings entertaining, and maybe i can inspire some others to pursue there own ideas as well.
Ultimately I am trying to come up with a viable crankshaft solution for the larger market and some of this is just plain research
I will be home in a week and the first 4 blocks should be finished machining by then. Then on to the cranks and connecting rods

That's one very impressive block!
I'm speculating that it will be drilled for oil pressure and have a pump too, right?

I am curious, I went out and looked at an empty block. How are mains number 2 and 4 attached, it does not look like you added anything to the inside of the block? As well, what will you do with pistons 2 and 3 travel as they rotate with the crank? Not down'ing your work, I wish I could run my machines like your work.

Chris,

Les has made new 5 main bearing blocks that look externally like a stock 1926 - 27 block. The extra main bearing bulkheads are cast as part of the block.

OK, the outside looked old and rusty, I was thinking it was an old block. This explains all. Thanks.

No one has mentioned it, but there is one other truly significant thing about Les' handiwork. Eight huge ports, one leading to each valve, solving one of the most serious problems with Model T engine breathing/performance!
Ron the Coilman

Les:

That is one incredible casting job. Have you considered altering the crank and cam to make it run with the modern 1342 firing order? I would think it would make balancing the whole unit much easier. Although, you might loose the T sound.

Dave DeYoung

Dave
I don't see that any alterations would be required to the crank to change the firing order, a new cam shaft yes you would need. I believe that the whole unit will be stout enough that no HP will be gained from a firing order change.
Anyway I guess i will think about that when I get to that stage.
Ron
I was wondering when someone would notice that!!

Are steam holes not needed? Are you going to use pumped cooling or thermobarf?

Regards,
Garnet

Garnet
The steam holes will be drilled. There a few other details that are not yet done in the pictures (bearing tab slots, oil holes for oil lines, etc). Hard to say on the cooling as each owner will do his own thing. I am only supplying a machined block and crank and connecting rods (actually originally I was only going to supply unmachined blocks but I got talked into machining them, and it made sense to buy all the cranks,rods together.

Outstanding!!

That looks beautiful!

So here are all 4 machined. Yet to do is line boring the mains and cam bearings and oil holes

WOW!!!!