A PICTORIAL REVIEW OF ALL THE VARIETIES OF 1928-34 FOUR CYLINDER FRONT TIMING COVERS by Vince Falter

Following are 6 pics which show each of the five major styles, and a comparison pic of all of them in order to the show variation in generator position.


Pictured above is the A-6019-A cover which was used in 1928, and later on AA trucks where the engine was mounted directly to the rear flange of the front frame crossmember. Note the machined surface and lip for supporting the casting on the frame flange.

Also note that this is the only cover which was spot face machined at the block attaching bolt holes. Subsequent covers were just a 'close enough' cast surface under the bolt and washer.



Pictured above is the typical A-6019-B cover which was used through out Model A production with the front flexible motor mount. Note the revised casting ears which only bear on the tops of the motor mount.



Pictured above is the somewhat unusual A-6019-BR cover which was supplied to service for Model A's after Model B production began. Ford created a new casting with a revised generator mounting location and an elongated boss for the timing pin hole. This casting was used to make both Model A & Model B part number covers. This cover was for post-1931 service and was not used on original production Model A's.

In this design, the generator was moved upward and slightly farther from crankshaft centerline to accomodate the Model B front lower water hose. The timing pin hole could be drilled in the standard Model A position on the boss as this one is, or in the advanced position to accomodate the Model B distributor.



Pictured above is the 1932 Model B cover. It is identical to the Service cover above for the Model A, except this one has the timing pin hole in the advanced position on the boss.



Pictured above is the 1933-34 timing cover as used on 4 cylinder Model 40 and 46 passenger and commercial. This cover has the timing pin hole in the same advanced position as a Model B, but it is not on an elongated boss. This cover also has the front motor mount bolt holes moved closer in towards center.

Most notably, the generator mounting boss is moved considerably upward and rearward. This was done to offset the generator rearward in conjuction with the "short" Model B style water pump, and the short flat crankshaft pulley. The purpose was to shorten the engine to provide enough fan clearance to the radiator which was laid back at an angle on the 1933-34 Fords.



This last pic is a front view of the earliest through latest covers to illustrate the relative differences in the generator mounting positions. In some respects, the A-6019-BR service cover (middle one) might be the most convenient to have on a Model A since it puts the generator up higher away from the lower water hose. I have seen a number of generator brackets cutting into the lower hose on Model A's, and it is also difficult to reach the generator mounting bolt for service with the original covers.

One last consideration is that it might be a good idea to double check your cover if you are running a Model B distributor and think you have a Model B cover. It is possible you might have the Model A service cover with the timing pin hole at the bottom of the elongated boss, rather than at the top (Model B).

The Model A version cover with the timing pin hole at the bottom of the elongated boss is not really compatible with the Model B distributor, and would likely prevent proper timing from being achieved. This would result in a retarded spark timing and loss of power and top speed. Probably burned valves also.
Vince Falter

Page designed by Jim Mason July, 2007