Model A Ford Specifications

Model A Ford specifications, modern parts cross-reference numbers, manufacturing numbers, and production figures.

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Looking for detailed repair procedures and technical articles? Visit our Model A Ford Workshop Notes.

Capacities

Cooling System 3 Gallons
Gas Tank 10 Gallons
Engine Oil 5 Quarts
Transmission 1 Pint (600 W)
Rear Axle 1.5 Pints (600 W)
Steering Gear 7.75 Ounces (600 W)

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Engine / Chassis

Distributor Counter Clockwise
Point Gap .022"
Rotor to distributor contact gap .025"
Spark Plug gap .035"
Firing Order 1-2-4-3
Valve Clearance .013"
Clutch Free Travel 1"
Tire Pressure 35 psi
Cylinder Compression 76 psi
Compression Ratio 4.5:1

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Bolt Torques

Work up gradually and keep all torques even 40-50-60-etc.

All torques are given in foot-pounds.

Main Bearings 80
Rod Bearings 45
Head & Water Neck 55
High Compression Head 65 (Retorque after engine warms. Use a paper match under the ears to prevent breakage.)
Manifolds 30-35
Flywheel 50 Wired
Flywheel Housing 50 Wired
Pressure Plate (New Grade 5 Bolts) 30
Rear Axle Housing 35
Oil Pan & Valve Cover 6-8
Valve Cover 12-15

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Recommended Sequence for Tightening Cylinder Head Nuts

Beginning with cylinder head nut No. 1, follow the numbered sequence shown below through nut No. 14. Tighten all nuts initially to 35 foot-pounds. Repeat the sequence, increasing the torque to 45 foot-pounds, then again at 55 foot-pounds. For a stock cylinder head, 55 foot-pounds is the final torque. For a high-compression cylinder head, repeat the sequence once more, tightening all nuts to a final torque of 65 foot-pounds.

Stock head: 35 → 45 → 55 ft-lb

High-compression head: 35 → 45 → 55 → 65 ft-lb

Model A Ford cylinder head nut tightening sequence numbered 1 through 14
Cylinder head nut tightening sequence. Follow the numbers from 1 through 14 for each torque pass.

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Axle Nuts

Front Tighten to drag. Back off one cotter notch. Insert new cotter key.
Rear Tighten as much as possible, then two more cotter notches tighter. Insert cotter key. Retighten after 200 miles.

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Modern Parts Available for the Model A

The following parts are available through many vendors and local parts stores. These part numbers can be used as a cross-reference and source to help find a needed part when you are on the road, doing work at home, or restocking the spare parts bin.

While this is not a complete list, it is a start. If you know of other parts that should be listed in this section, please contact us and they can be added to the list.

Bearings, Races, and Seals

Front wheel inner bearing Timken 15118
Front wheel inner race Timken 15250X
Front wheel outer bearing Timken 09074
Front wheel outer race Timken 09196
Pinion & Differential Timken 28156
Pinion & Differential double cone race Timken 28317
Steering gear bearing Consolidated HK 2020
Transmission
Main drive gear (A7118) BCA J244248
Main drive gear (A7025) FKF 6208-2RSJEM
Cluster bearing (A7121) BCA J241256

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Distributor, Electrical, Ignition, and Battery

12 Volt Coil with built-in resistor Auto Zone LU 800, NAPA Echlin IC 14
Distributor rotor NAPA FA 3
12 Volt Resistor Wells DR 794
Turn signal flasher (if equipped) Ideal 550
Modern style points (Only if your distributor has the modern or modified base plate) Motorcraft DP2, Auto Tune PT 598 B
Modern condenser (Only if your distributor has the modern or modified base plate) Motorcraft DC 13A
Spark plugs Motorcraft TT 10
Battery 6 Volt (Group 1), 12 Volt (UF-1)

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Fan Belt

Gate 700
NAPA 25-11000 (Old Number), 25-22434 (New)

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Filters

In-line fuel filter, 1/4-inch inlet and outlet. Metal with no built-in flow restrictor. Wix 33031, Motorcraft FG-46, Puralator F 21124, NAPA 3031
Oil filter if modified to use a filter Motorcraft FL-1A, AC PF 2, Fram PH 8A

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Generator

Conversion of original cutout to diode-type cutout Diode NTE 5980, ECG 5980, Generic diode 1N1183

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Headgasket

Graphite Head Gasket B-6051-XO, Best #509G

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Lubricants

Steering gear lubricant 90 W Oil

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Radiator

O-ring seal under the Quail AS 568 Series 223, 1 5/8" ID x 7/8" OD x 1/8"

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Radiator Caps

Stant (part 10623) and Balkamp (NAPA part 703-1200) make identical radiator caps that work well on 1930-1931 radiators. Both have stainless steel tops, with brass rings and a gasket underneath. It would be a good idea to apply an epoxy coating on the underside to inhibit rusting. These are actually gas caps, but they fit well on the Model A radiator neck. — Bob Taylor

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Model A Manufacturing Numbers

Model A Motor Numbers

Month First Number Last Number
1927
October 1 137
November 138 971
December 972 5275
1928
January 5276 17251
February 17252 36016
March 36017 67700
April 67701 109740
May 109741 165726
June 165727 224276
July 224277 295707
August 295708 384867
September 384868 473012
October 473013 585696
November 585697 697829
December 697830 810122
1929
January 810123 983136
February 983137 1127171
March 1127172 1298827
April 1298828 1478647
May 1478648 1663401
June 1663402 1854831
July 1854832 2045422
August 2045423 2243920
September 2243921 2396932
October 2396933 2571781
November 2571782 2678140
December 2678141 2742695
1930
January 2742696 2826649
February 2826650 2940776
March 2940777 3114465
April 3114466 3304703
May 3304704 3509306
June 3509307 3702547
July 3702548 3883888
September 3883889 4005973
October 4005974 4093995
November 4093996 4177733
December 4177734 4237500
1931
January 4237501 4310300
February 4310301 4393627
March 4396228 4520831
April 4520832 4611921
May 4611922 4695999
June 4696000 4746730
July 4746731 4777282
August No Production
September 4777283 4824809
October 4824810 4826746
November 4826747 4830806
December No Production
1932
January 4830807 4842983
February 4842984 4846691
March 4846692 4849340

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Model A Body Numbers

Body Style Years Description
35-A 28-29 Standard Phaeton, Rear Compartment
35-B 30-31 Standard Phaeton
40-A 28-29 Standard Roadster
40-B 30-31 Standard Roadster
40-B Dlx 30-31 Deluxe Roadster
45-A 28-29 Standard Coupe
45-B 30-31 Standard Coupe
45-B Dlx 30-31 Deluxe Coupe
49-A 28-29 Special Coupe
50-A 28-29 Sport Coupe
50-B 30-31 Sport Coupe
54-A 28-29 Business Coupe
55-A 28-29 Early AR Tudor, Standard Tudor
55-B 30-31 Standard Tudor Sedan
55-B Dlx 31 Deluxe Tudor Sedan
60-A,B 28-29 Fordor Sedan (Leatherback)
60-C 29 Fordor Sedan (Briggs Blindback)
66-A 31 Deluxe Pickup
68-A 29 Cabriolet
68-B 30-31 Cabriolet
68-C 31 SW Cabriolet
76-A 28-31 Open Cab (A Pickup or AA)
76-A, B 30-31 Open Cab (A Pickup or AA)
78-A 28-31 Pickup Box
78-B 31 Pickup Box (wide bed)
79-A 28-29 Panel Delivery
79-A, B 30-31 Panel Delivery
82-A 28-29 Closed Cab (A Pickup or AA)
82-A, B 30-31 Closed Cab (A Pickup or AA)
130-A 28-29 Deluxe Delivery
130-A, B 30-31 Deluxe Delivery
135-A 29 Taxi
140-A 28-29 Town Car
140-B 30 Town Car
150-A 29 Station Wagon
150-A, B 30-31 Station Wagon
155-A, B 29 Town Sedan (Murray, Briggs)
155-C, D 30-31 Town Sedan (Murray, Briggs)
160-A 31 Standard Fordor Sedan (S/W)
160-B 31 Town Sedan (S/W)
160-C 31 Deluxe Fordor Sedan (S/W Blindback)
165-A, B 29 Standard Fordor (Murray, Briggs)
165-C, D 30-31 Standard Fordor (Murray, Briggs)
170-A 29 Standard Fordor (2 window - Briggs)
170-B 30 Standard Fordor (2 window - Briggs)
170-B Dlx 30-31 Deluxe Fordor (2 window - Briggs)
180-A 30-31 Deluxe Phaeton
190-A 30-31 Victoria
225-A 30-31 Panel Delivery (Drop Floor)
255-A 30-31 Special Delivery
295-A 30-31 Town Car Delivery
400-A 31 Convertible Sedan

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Model A Domestic Production Figures

Production numbers from "Henry's Lady" by Ray Miller

Body Style Model Number 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 Totals
Sport Coupe 050-A, 050-B 734 79,099 134,292 69,167 19,700 302,992
Trucks All Series 286 63,229 156,433 159,341 103,561 482,850
Commercial Chassis none 99 42,612 130,608 56,707 34,959 264,986
Standard Phaeton 035-A, 035-B 221 47,255 49,818 16,479 4,076 117,849
Deluxe Phaeton 180-A - - - 3,946 2,229 6,175
Standard Roadster 040-A, 040-B 269 81,937 191,529 112,901 5,499 392,135
Deluxe Roadster 040-B - - - 11,318 52,997 64,315
Standard Coupe 045-A, 045-B 629 70,784 178,982 226,027 79,816 556,238
Deluxe Coupe 045-B - - - 28,937 23,067 52,004
Standard Tudor 055-A, 055-B 1948 208,562 523,922 376,271 148,425 1,259,128
Deluxe Tudor 055-B - - - - 21,984 21,984
Town Car 140-A, 140-B - 89 913 63 - 1,065
Station Wagon 150-A, 150-B - 5 4,954 3,510 2,848 11,317
Taxi Cab 135-A - 264 4,576 10 - 4,850
Fordor Standard (2W) 060-A - 82,349 146,097 5,279 - 233,725
Fordor Deluxe (2W) 170-B, 160-C - - - 12,854 3,251 16,105
Business Coupe 054-A - 37,343 37,644 - - 74,987
Fordor Standard (3W) 165-A, 165-C - - 53,941 41,133 18,127 113,201
Fordor Town Sedan 155-A, 155-C - - 84,970 104,935 55,469 245,374
Cabriolet 068-A, 068-B - - 16,421 25,868 11,801 54,090
Victoria 190-A - - - 6,306 33,906 40,212
Conv. Sedan 400-A - - - - 4,864 4,864
Totals 4,186 713,528 1,715,100 1,261,053 626,579 4,320,446

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