Baril Engine has extensive experience rebuilding Model A engines, and we are proud to offer Burtz-Block components as a build option for customers seeking a modern upgrade. We are a distributor and authorized builder for Burtz-Block, the re-engineered new casting components that maintain the original Model A’s external appearance while addressing weaknesses in the century-old originals.
Baril Engine’s Complete Burtz-Block Engine Packages
Significant differences exist in what one engine rebuilder includes in a “Short Block” or “Long Block” from another engine builder. If you’re comparing quotes for your Ford Model A Burtz-Block, please look at the details, as Baril Engine includes more in our packages than many other engine builders.
Baril Engine offers two levels of Burtz-Block engine packages:
- Short Block Plus (SB+): Includes assembling the engine’s rotating assembly (Burtz-Block cylinder block, re-engineered crankshaft, new forged steel H-beam connecting rods) and new camshaft, new pistons, piston ring sets, piston pins & retainers, insert bearings, new timing gears, adjustable lifters, modern valve kit with shouldered guides & valve springs, and radial lip rear main seal. A typical Short Block doesn’t include the valve train, but this is a flat head so the valve train components are included with the block. This SB+ package does not include a cylinder head.
- Long Block (LB): Includes all of the work and components in the SB+ level and adds a replacement 6.5:1 compression cylinder head, upper gasket set, oil pump with filter kit, and additional parts to prepare your engine for installation.
Baril Engine is a custom engine builder, so our engine packages are customized to reflect each customer’s specific needs. Therefore, there can be considerable variation in the processes performed, the parts included, and the package cost from one engine project to the next. It is essential that we discuss and document within your estimate your engine’s history, any known issues, previous repairs, and your specific needs and goals. The more information you provide us, the better positioned we are to meet your needs and exceed your goals. Please always refer to your written estimate to know what is and is not included in your engine package.
Baril Engine’s Building Process for Burtz-Block
Cleaning, Inspection, and Component Preparation
Meticulous cleanliness is essential for a long-lasting engine build. Burtz-Block components are new castings, but that doesn’t mean they are ready to bolt together. Each part had a light layer of oil applied to prevent corrosion during storage and shipping, and that oil has likely collected dust or impurities before arriving at our shop. As such, we will thoroughly clean and prepare each component for assembly.
- Initial cleaning of the components with a high temp spray wash process.
- Remove any remaining carbon or material from the parts using a variety of hand and pneumatic cleaning tools and processes.
- Clean oil galleys, coolant passages, and bolt holes to ensure there are no chips or residue from the initial machining process.
- De-burr parts to remove inconsistencies so the components have smooth edges and a fine finished surface.
- Polish the crankshaft’s rod and main journals to their required finish.
- Machine the block for adjustable lifters – optional upgrade based on customer goals for the build.
- Final cleaning of each component.
Burtz-Block Engine Assembly
[Available as part of a complete engine rebuild package.]
Are you wondering if this is an accidental duplicate? It is intentional! Our engine builders trust the work of our other technicians, but they still verify that each part meets specifications before assembly. We trust but verify! It is the assembling technician’s responsibility to inspect all parts and verify that each meets specification. Our highly experienced engine builders assemble all our engines in our assembly department, which is sealed off from the rest of our shop. Our engine assembly process involves many detailed procedures, executed in a specific order, to ensure the completed engine meets our performance and reliability requirements.Pre-Assembly Engine Inspection
Engine Assembly
Common Use Cases
Restoration Projects
Classic car restorers who want a durable engine block that combines originality with modern enhancements.
Performance Upgrades
Model A enthusiasts looking to increase horsepower and torque for highway touring, mountain driving, or competition events.
Custom Builds
Builders of modified or hot rod Model As seeking ultimate performance and efficiency.
Burtz-Block Design Differences
Block
- The Burtz-Block is cast and machined from modern high-strength grey cast iron.
- The original Model A engine has three main bearings compared to the five main bearings in a Burtz Block.
- Burtz’s block features larger streamlined intake ports compared to the original’s restricted intake port design.
- Ford’s original Model A cylinder block was not set up for unleaded fuel. Like most modern engines, Burtz-Block incorporates hardened exhaust valve seats.
Crankshaft
- The original crankshaft has no counterweights; Burtz crankshafts are fully counterweighted and dynamically balanced.
- The original has a slinger type rear main seal {see our article on rear main leaks} compared to the radial lip rear main seal in modern engines, including Burtz-Block.
- The original has a gravity feed (mains) and dip (connecting rods) oil system. Burtz Block incorporates a sealed, full-pressure oil system.
- Burtz’s crankshaft is cross-drilled to lubricate the four connecting rod bearings.
- Burtz-Block uses standard 2” insert main and rod bearings rather than the original 1.5” main and 1.625” rod babbited bearings. {Note – Baril Engine upgrades all Model A rebuilds to modern insert bearings}
Connecting Rods
- The original connecting rods were made of cast iron with babbitt bearings. The new rods are forged steel and utilize insert bearings for the crankshaft journal.
- The new connecting rod big end bearing is 2.000 inch diameter and the width of the big end of the connecting rod is 1.120 inch.
- The connecting rod big end of this re-engineered engine is split on an angle of 76 degrees from vertical. This angular split was necessary to accommodate the larger big end bearing while maintaining clearance between the big end profile, camshaft, and cylinder walls.
- The new connecting rods are balanced in sets of four to closer-than-Ford tolerances.
Oil System
- In a stock “A” engine, the rod caps have dippers that scoop oil and splatter it around, the three main bearings are gravity fed, and the crankshaft thrust bearing depends on mist oiling. The new Burtz block and crankshaft supply pressurized oil to all 16 bearings: 5 main bearings, 5 camshaft bearings, 4 connecting rod bearings, rear main thrust bearing, and camshaft thrust bearing.
- Optionally, the Burtz-Block engine can be built to utilize a full flow oil filter. This modification can be reversed if the owner desires a return to the original appearance.
Return to top of Design Differences section
Camshaft
- Burtz-Block’s new camshaft is based off of Ford’s drawing A-6250 to ensure compatibility with all Model A, Model B, Russian GAZ, and German G28T engines. It is made of nodular iron with induction hardened lobes to minimize wear and hardened bearings & center gear to keep the gear teeth from becoming brittle. When used with Burtz-Block’s other components, there will be 17 pressure fed bearings.
Flywheel
- Burtz-Block’s flywheel has identical mating interfaces to the original Model A flywheel, but also incorporates advancements. The new flywheel is lighter (31 pounds versus 65 pounds), balanced, and drilled to accept the V-8 9” long design pressure plate.
Cylinder Head
- Identical in appearance to the original Ford Model A heads, the newly manufactured cylinder head has higher compression (6.5:1 ratio) and improved coolant circulation openings for even cooling from front to back.