Crate Engine

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LOCParts
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Crate Engine

Post by LOCParts » Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:05 pm

When Ford shipped new Model T engine blocks to dealers they were sent in wood crates:
049B4939-5327-4828-89E9-CFEB8A024501.jpeg
B242671F-B69B-4277-9374-7A55246D755B.jpeg
95AB67D8-E39A-42D1-8682-769090C9795D.jpeg
19C5E634-FE71-4DA1-A7A8-FA3035094B84.jpeg
Most parts had their machined surfaces coated with a thin layer of “rust proof” that seems to have attracted dirt and dust like a magnet.

This engine block is un-number and the 1926-27 style.


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by TXGOAT2 » Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:24 pm

Is it for sale?


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by John kuehn » Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:26 pm

Seems like I read somewhere these were available until 1941. But was that for a complete engine or just the block. Crate motors are usually complete engines or a complete short block only. Or so I thought? Don’t know for sure maybe someone else does?

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Ed Fuller
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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Ed Fuller » Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:36 pm

Wow! So neat to see such an amazing piece of preserved history. Thank you for sharing the pictures.


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Dan Hatch » Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:47 pm

NOS parts I have found seem to have a coating of wax on them. This is bearing races, front end tie rod bolts, etc. Dan


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by John kuehn » Sat Jan 14, 2023 2:01 pm

The crate makes a big difference! It’s lucky that it survived being moved and stacked around all these years! In the collector world the original box, book jacket and packaging means a lot more money. And it’s a confirmation it would be new or unused.


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Rich P. Bingham » Sat Jan 14, 2023 2:48 pm

And you can make floor boards out of the crate ! :lol:
Get a horse !

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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Steve Jelf » Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:14 pm

Seems like I read somewhere these were available until 1941. But was that for a complete engine or just the block.

The last seven engines were assembled in 1941, the final one being #15,176,888 on August 4. I've never seen any information on when the last replacement blocks were made. I wonder what numbers are on the half dozen T-100 engines made twenty years ago.



And you can make floor boards out of the crate !

The wrinkle on that story I saw recently had it that Henry required crates of certain dimensions so the pieces could go directly into cars as floorboards. I think that may be an exaggeration. :lol:
The inevitable often happens.
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Re: Crate Engine

Post by TrentB » Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:33 pm

Ford did specify the size of the crates used to ship Model T parts to the factory for two reasons. First, the crates took quite a bit of abuse and by specifying the size Ford could make up replacement boards so the crates could be repaired quickly. Second, the crates were designed to hold a specified number of a particular part. This would allow Ford employees to quickly do a “sight inventory” of parts on hand. The number of parts was equal to the number of parts in a crate multiplied by the number of crates instead of counting the number of the part in each crate. In worse case, if a crate had been opened it would only be necessary to individually count the parts in partially opened crate.

Ford Motor Company stressed efficiency. If it wanted to sell cars for $245 fob Detroit, it couldn’t afford to waste a man’s time counting parts individually.

Respectfully submitted,

Trent Boggess


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Bryant » Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:41 pm

Dan Hatch wrote:
Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:47 pm
NOS parts I have found seem to have a coating of wax on them. This is bearing races, front end tie rod bolts, etc. Dan
I believe they called it Cosmoline
Bryant
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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Rich Eagle » Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:47 pm

WQW! That is fun to see.
Thanks for posting.
Rich
When did I do that?


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Pat Branigan Wisc » Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:06 pm

I have a nice original 11 that has a name repetitively stamped into the floor board wood on the bottom side must of been crating.


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Sat Jan 14, 2023 8:00 pm

A "crate engine" is modern nomenclature for a new replacement engine, usually a mostly complete engine less a few external accessories, either with or without transmission. It came about as a way of saying the engine was replaced by something better than a wrecking yard engine of unknown background. The term "crate engine" I think has been common for less than fifty years.

The item being discussed is a "crated block". A replacement block that was crated for protection when being shipped.

Two basically different things. However, a great "play on words" for the thread title!

Such crating of heavy replacement parts was common back in the days, but not a lot of them still survive in their original crating. My OPINION is that anything such as this block, still in its original crate, should be kept as the artifact it is, and NOT removed from the crate and used. This was an important part of automobile history, and so few still survive how they were sold and shipped, that it would be a shame to destroy such a fine piece.

But that is my silly opinion.


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Farmer J » Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:05 pm

That has much more value kept together as a historical artifact than used as a replacement block in a T. It would be nice displayed in the parts department of the MTFCA Museum. If you want it there call Jerry Kramer. 765 969 6338


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:42 pm

I have an original crankshaft in a wooden box with the top missing and a wooden box that a set of magnets were shipped to a Ford dealer in Delaware many years ago.

The crankshaft is coated with a bluegreen wax material.

My 1926 radiator surround was shipped in a wooden crate, but I sold the crate after I removed the NOS radiator and had it replated.That seemed like a common practice.

Ford definitely recycled some of those crates.

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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Rich Eagle » Mon Jan 23, 2023 3:55 pm

While looking for something else I stumbled on this. I thought it might be interesting on this thread.
SprngClpz.jpg
SprngClpz2.jpg
https://www.pickingpittsburgh.com/listi ... l-t-wooden
When did I do that?


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by frontyboy » Mon Jan 23, 2023 11:30 pm

I have the perfect block for that crate. I recently purchased a new old stock open valve block. This block has a strange number where the serial number normally is placed. Also it has several cut outs on both sides of the crankcase to allow someone to see how the crankshaft and rods worked. It also has 2 hinges on the side of the block that were for the cylinder head to be lifted over so you could see the valve action.

just sayin'
brasscarguy


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Re: Crate Engine

Post by Scott_Conger » Tue Jan 24, 2023 11:10 am

Richard

I have the mate to that box
Scott Conger

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Re: Crate Engine

Post by John Codman » Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:48 am

Steve Jelf wrote:
Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:14 pm
Seems like I read somewhere these were available until 1941. But was that for a complete engine or just the block.

The last seven engines were assembled in 1941, the final one being #15,176,888 on August 4. I've never seen any information on when the last replacement blocks were made. I wonder what numbers are on the half dozen T-100 engines made twenty years ago.



And you can make floor boards out of the crate !

The wrinkle on that story I saw recently had it that Henry required crates of certain dimensions so the pieces could go directly into cars as floorboards. I think that may be an exaggeration. :lol:
Ford did have specifications for the crates, but not for use in cars. Ford teamed up with a relative to make charcoal with the crate's wood. The relative was named King. Does Kingsford Charcoal ring a bell? If you want a good read, try THE PEOPLE'S TYCOON by Steven Watts

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Re: Crate Engine

Post by DanTreace » Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:33 pm

Ford did have specifications for the crates, but not for use in cars. Ford teamed up with a relative to make charcoal with the crate's wood. The relative was named King. Does Kingsford Charcoal ring a bell? If you want a good read, try THE PEOPLE'S TYCOON by Steven Watts


Correct, Ford had specifications and order/inventory controls of every piece of the car, and the shipping crates used to freight the parts from the Highland Park mother plant to all the thirty-one or so Branch Factory Assembly Plants located in the major cities across the USA.

Here are some of those factory crate numbers:

Image 1-25-23 at 12.16 PM.jpeg
Image 1-25-23 at 12.16 PM.jpeg (35.16 KiB) Viewed 1279 times
And here is another crated engine block only, with the label, seems this bare block was being sent from Branch Inventory to a dealer or repair shop for engine replacement use. But could be this wood crate may have been made by the Branch plant for shipment.

Engine crate to dealer from branch.jpg
Dealer from branch sticker.jpg
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Re: Crate Engine

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Wed Jan 25, 2023 4:37 pm

I have a crankshaft in a smaller wooden box.

It has a blue-green wax on it.

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