Original Posted By: mb-albany(at)worldnet.att.net (Michael Brusilow)
Hi, I'm back from vacation and a lot behind on the e-mails. I have never flown with a Ford A engine, but I have been driving Model A's on and off since 1965. I have had lots of times the engine has stopped -- but they were always my fault. I.e. 1. I ran out of gas2. The gas tank was rusty and the rust cut off the gas flow to the carb3. I drove my newly purchased "$100 used car" without checking out the engine. The fiber timing gear was already worn out and finally the teeth came off and caused the engine quit. A new fiber gear fixed that problem and the "used car" continued to run fine. 4. The condenser often died -- standard problem for the Ford distributor in hot climates. Easy fix, I relocated the condenser about an inch further away from the head. On the Piet, a magneto is used so the original distributor won't cause you any problems. The original distributor also had problems in heavy rain.With a properly rebuilt and maintained engine, I have not had any unscheduled stops. The primary reason I am considering building and/or obtaining a Piet, is that it powered by the A engine. I'm sure the certificated aircraft engine is more reliable -- i.e dual mags etc, but I'm confident a properly maintained Ford A engine is safe. I would like to know why Mike's engine vapor locked and also had a bent valve. Perhaps he was able to capture some lessons for Ford powered Piets to avoid? I remember reading one article about the "Great Race" a few years ago, where so many of the antique autos had vapor lock problems due to the grade of gasoline, elevation, and heat that they allowed some extra driving time on that leg of the race. The type of gas, how close the fuel line is to heat sources, etc, can increase the likely hood of vapor lock. The bent valve surprises me -- since the Ford is a flat head and the piston is parallel to the valve stem -- i.e. the piston cannot hit the valve as in some overhead valve engines. Perhaps there was too much valve lift? Head milled too much? Wrong or out of specification valve? Anyway, I believe a good A engine is very reliable. Good luck with your project. Hap Tucker, Bossier City, LouisianaSubj: engineDate: 99-05-19 22:31:24 EDT