What was the engine specs of the 1929 Ford Model A?
The 1929 Ford Model A used a 200 cubic inch inline-4 engine that produced about 40 horsepower. This is the core specification most often cited for the late-1920s Model A powerplant.
Engine design and configuration
The Model A’s heart is a conventional inline-four, side-valve (L-head) engine. This configuration was common for the era, prioritizing reliability and ease of maintenance over high-revving performance. The engine was designed for daily driving duties, with relatively modest gearing and a simple, robust valvetrain.
Technical specifications
Below are the core specifications commonly cited for the Model A engine used in 1929, reflecting the standard configuration across most U.S. market cars of that year.
- Displacement: 200.5 cubic inches (3.28 liters)
- Bore x Stroke: 3.75 inches × 4.50 inches
- Compression ratio: approximately 4.5:1
- Configuration/Valvetrain: Inline 4-cylinder, side-valve (L-head)
- Power output: around 40 horsepower (29.9 kW) at roughly 1,800–2,000 rpm
- Fuel system: Carbureted, single-barrel updraft carburetor
- Cooling system: Water-cooled with a radiator
These figures represent the typical specification set for Model A engines from 1927 through 1931, including the 1929 model year. Minor variations could occur by market and minor production changes.
Context and historical notes
The Model A engine replaced the famous Model T powerplant and helped establish Ford’s post-T era of the late 1920s. The 40 hp output, combined with the car’s improved chassis, four-wheel brakes, and updated styling, marked a significant step up in performance and refinement for the mass-market automobile.
Summary
The 1929 Ford Model A’s engine was a reliable 200.5 cu in inline-4, delivering about 40 hp, with a 3.75 in bore and 4.50 in stroke, a 4.5:1 compression ratio, and a single-barrel updraft carburetor in a water-cooled, side-valve design. These specs reflect the era’s engineering priorities and remained largely consistent across the Model A run, including the 1929 production year.
