Here’s the latest time lapse rebuild from the gearheads at Hagerty: the venerable Model A Ford of 1928-31, one of the most rugged engines ever produced.
With more than 15 million vehicles produced, the Ford Model T of 1909-27 was a tough act to follow. But Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company managed to pull it off with the Model A, introduced on December 2, 1927. The new Ford was more advanced in every way: A popular song of the day was called “Henry’s Made a Lady Out of Lizzie.”
The updates included a new engine, an L-head four of 201 cubic inches that produced 40 horsepower, nearly double the output of the Model T. Incredibly sturdy, the Model A four-banger was endlessly modified for dry lakes and dirt track competition, and helped to launch the sport of hot rodding. Nearly five million units were built over the four model years 1928-31, and it’s said that at least 100,000 are still running today.
A marvel of simplicity, the Model T had no water, oil, or fuel pumps, but in a nod to modernity, the Model A included a water pump and cooling fan. The new Ford’s oil circulation system was a hybrid, with dippers on the connecting rods that scooped up a thimbleful of lubricant as they swept through the oil pan. These and other wonders, including the poured babbit crankshaft bearings, are on display in the latest time-lapse rebuild from the gearheads at Hagerty, who sell collector car insurance when they’re not out in the shop having too much fun. (Some upgrades were included in the overhaul—see if you can spot them.) We love Hagerty’s Redline Rebuild series. It’s an awesome way to look inside some of the great engines in automotive history, and we don’t even get dirty. Enjoy the video
I like watching the videos. It’s funny because I worked as a mechanic for almost 48 years and still love to get my hands into something like this. My wife asked me: “Doesn’t it get monotonous?” I responded with: “Do you ever get bored sewing?”