Info needed: Questions on a ford engine

[serge]

HELLO

I am remounting a FORD MERCURY V8 flat head engine which was on my CANADIAN FORD F60L (one of the latest version 1945). The engine was dismounted some 30 years ago and I don't remember the purpose of some item. On the technical manual I had found no information about these subjects.

My first question is about the vertical part connected at the base of an additionnal part below the carburator. These part leads the depression to the wiper engines but instead to be a single pipe it is an directionnal valve (actually out of order). On its body we can read the following informations with an arrow in the direction of the wiper engine.


DONALDSON CRANKCASE VENTILATOR
TAKE APART EVERY 250 HOURS
INSTALL ARROW (--------> )

The arrow has the direction of the wiper motor.

These informations mean that it should be an non-return valve but why*?

The second question is about a little pipe starting from the valve cover at the same place that the copper pipe leading in front of engine and used for the crankshaft ventilation.
In a time I believe that this pipe should be connected to the ignitor but these last owns no hole.

I join some pics of the engine with some interressing informations. The carburator was made by FORD and also the capacitor connected to the ignitor. The engine was rebuild in GREAT BRITAIN by REME workshop on the 15/11/51.

Best regards

[serge]

Hello

Having watch the identification plate of the engine , I see that the engine has been rebuild in RCEME and not in REME so my truck was in CANADA in 1951?

[rob love]

214 Base Workshop was in Vancouver, BC (Canada). It does not mean that your vehicle was there, just the engine. Unless your engine is matched to the data plate on the dash, it is just as likely that an engine that had been rebuilt in the Vancouver Workshop found it's way to your vehicle.

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by serge

HELLO

I am remounting a FORD MERCURY V8 flat head engine which was on my CANADIAN FORD F60L (one of the latest version 1945). The engine was dismounted some 30 years ago and I don't remember the purpose of some item. On the technical manual I had found no information about these subjects.

My first question is about the vertical part connected at the base of an additionnal part below the carburator. These part leads the depression to the wiper engines but instead to be a single pipe it is an directionnal valve (actually out of order). On its body we can read the following informations with an arrow in the direction of the wiper engine.


DONALDSON CRANKCASE VENTILATOR
TAKE APART EVERY 250 HOURS
INSTALL ARROW (--------> )

The arrow has the direction of the wiper motor.

These informations mean that it should be an non-return valve but why*?

The second question is about a little pipe starting from the valve cover at the same place that the copper pipe leading in front of engine and used for the crankshaft ventilation.
In a time I believe that this pipe should be connected to the ignitor but these last owns no hole.

I join some pics of the engine with some interressing informations. The carburator was made by FORD and also the capacitor connected to the ignitor. The engine was rebuild in GREAT BRITAIN by REME workshop on the 15/11/51.

Best regards

Hello Serge,

The items you are referring to are part of the PCV system for these engines. The part with the two large holes is a spacer than goes under the carburettor and allows crankcase fumes to be drawn into the intake manifold. The part with the arrow is the PCV valve which controls when the fumes are drawn into the manifold based on the vacuum in the manifold. See attached photo.
A small oil-bath air filter is attached to the fuel pump stand to filter the air pulled into the crankcase by the manifold vacuum through the PCV valve.

The other thin tube is used to supply a vacuum to the distributor to activate the vacuum brake on the distributor advance. It attaches to the intake manifold by a "banjo" at the fitting called a vacuum breaker which also supplies vacuum to the wipers.

Just flip the spacer over and it should connect up correctly to the front of the manifold and remove the copper tube to the engine front cover. the wiper hose should attach where you have the copper tube attached at the manifold (vacuum breaker). If no vacuum wipers are fitted that hole needs to be plugged.
You may have to repair the thin tube from the engine front cover to the manifold. I cannot tell from the photo if it is intact.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[Dave Newcomb]

Do I see a spark lead for #5 crossing over the eng.? the firing order leads are usually cross routed at the dist. Early ford V8 fellows hang out at Fordbarn.com and are always ready to answer/solve problems at the Form site there. Newc

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by Dave Newcomb

Do I see a spark lead for #5 crossing over the eng.? the firing order leads are usually cross routed at the dist. Early ford V8 fellows hang out at Fordbarn.com and are always ready to answer/solve problems at the Form site there. Newc

Hi Dave,

Perhaps they are, but I copied a NOS set of leads inside a NOS conduit exactly, even down to the bitumen impregnated sleeve that crosses over the engine as a chafing protector. I am also on Ford Barn but a very infrequent visitor. I got good info on truck transmission colour there and a couple other queries.

Added this page from the F15 Driver's Handbook showing how No. 3 and No. 5 spark plug leads cross over the intake manifold which is what I have done with mine.

Cheers

[serge]

Hello Jacques

I thank you for the accuracy responses to my questions. Nevertheless I have a last question*: on the other side of the banjo ( there is a little pipe integrated to this connection) and I think that an other pipe should be connectetd but where it go*? see right top of your second pic.

Best regards Serge

[Jacques Reed]

Hello Serge,

That little tube is on the vacuum breaker and the rubber hose to the vacuum operated windscreen wipers attaches to it there.

Often vacuum wipers have been replaced with electric wipers so that little tube needs to be plugged, otherwise the vacuum pressure in the system will not be developed and the PCV valve and spark advance brake on the distributor will not function properly.

I have seen a few engines with that tube crushed shut where vacuum wipers were no longer fitted. Best to just plug it in case original wipers are ever fitted.

Cheers,

[Dave Newcomb]

Thanks- Never seen that in civilian vehicles. Newc

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Dave,

Yes, I have been surprised a few times with the differences between civilian and military Ford flathead V8's. The fact that Ford shifted V8 engine production to Canada in WW2 adds a further layer for differences. I remember the interest shown on the Ford Barn when I posted info on the PCV system.

Different suppliers of oil conditioners (filters) between US and Canadian engines is just one example, and even different suppliers for Canadian engines. I never found a filter element from any of the US antique Ford suppliers that fit my Canadian oil cannister. My own homework found what fits however.

Recently I noticed that the carburettor air filter is unique to the CMP vehicles also. The standard Ford car air filter is substantially smaller than the CMP "honeypot" as some people call it.

All the best,

[Lynn Eades]

Dave, the Crab Dizzy requires that two HT leads cross over, while the pre 42 distributor does as you say.