[freebeard]

Model T engine blocks never rust. I found these references (I may abandon DDG over their Baizuo hiring practices)

Originally Posted by DDG

rib feature FE cylinder blocks (the real reason why) - Ford FE
https://www.fordfe.com › rib-feature-fe-cylinder-blocks-the-real-reason-why-t91012.html
1912 Model T Ford touring Salmon (ugh!) ... I'm assuming the metallurgy involves the changes made in Carbon Equivalancy, Silicon, and Chrome to ESE-M1A116-A (Grade AC) as called out on certain cyl block drawings, and/or mention in one of the Ford O.H.O. Bulletins on the C8AZ-6010-G Special 427 block. ... in the service part life of an engine ...

Re-Engineering The Ford Model A Engine | Hackaday
https://hackaday.com › 2017 › 09 › 05 › re-engineering-the-ford-model-a-engine
Re-Engineering the Model A Engine is [Terry Burtz]'s project to take the Ford Model A engine from the 1920s and re-engineer it with the benefit of some upgrades to increase its longevity and ...

From the 2nd article:

It was one of those “I wonder what happened to… ” moments that prompted a search for just such a project that did the rounds a little at the start of this decade. Re-Engineering the Model A Engine is [Terry Burtz]’s project to take the Ford Model A engine from the 1920s and re-engineer it with the benefit of some upgrades to increase its longevity and reliability. The new engine would look identical to the original unit, but would feature modern metallurgy, a re-engineered crankshaft with up-to-date bearings, a pressurised lubrication system, and some cooling system modifications.

The web site has a fascinating technical description and history of the Model A engine, along with a detailed examination of the proposed upgrades. There is a long list of project updates, but sadly work stalled in 2015 due to difficulties finding an iron foundry that could cast the blocks at an affordable price.

Best comment:

targetdrone says:
September 5, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Foundries vary widely in capabilities. A bronze art foundry is likely not going to have the equipment to precisely assemble and position 17 shell cores. They may not have a cupola large enough to pour 400 pounds of iron in a single mold. And they may not have the capacity to produce 500 or 1000 engine blocks in a run.

A ductile iron foundry I was once familiar with did large runs with floors full of large machine parts, but they didn’t have the ability to precisely assemble and insert that many cores in a single mold. If a company could sign a purchase order guaranteeing 100,000 blocks perhaps it would be worth it to buy the needed equipment, but that’s obviously beyond the means of this hobby-level effort.

Engine block casting is simply at a different level of complexity. The foundries that can cast them are certainly going to charge for their services.

Sounds like there is a need for 3D printed engine blocks.