Last fall, when I had some engine trouble with my Model A, I took my cylinder head to C&T Automotive Machine and Performance in Orem for inspection. They discovered that my cylinder head was cracked. I brought three other used heads to them for inspection before finding one that was acceptable for re-use. During that experience, I became acquainted with the craftsmen at C&T. On one of my visits the co-owner, Rod, agreed to host our club for a tour. So on Saturday, February 26, approximately 14 members of the Utah Valley Model A Club had the opportunity to tour their facility and see how they work their magic.
It was cold and windy at 8:30 a.m. when we gathered at the 7-11 convenience store in Orem. Several brave members drove their Model As, but most opted to use more modern transportation. One of the Model As arrived with a sizable steam plume emanating from the radiator overflow tube. This was quickly rectified with a transfusion of coolant into the cooling system, but not before several members recognized the potential for a Bent Rod award. Then we were off on the short drive to the machine shop.
After we arrived at the shop, several employees greeted us and we began the tour. Some of the machines or processes that the technicians showed us or demonstrated for us included:
• The cylinder boring machine, which bores cylinders oversize to correct cylinder wall wear.
• The process used to renew valve seats.
• The large parts washer that sprays incoming engine parts with hot acid to remove dirt and grime.
• The inspection area where parts are checked for cracks using magnetic particle inspection (aka Magnaflux).
• The cylinder head assembly area. The cleanliness and lighting in the area resembled a hospital operating room. One entire bench held rows of valves, springs, and related hardware awaiting reassembly.
• A valve grinding machine that can cut two or even three different seat angles on a valve simultaneously.
• A large machine used to hone the cylinder walls in engine blocks. It simultaneously rotates the honing stones in the cylinder while, at the same time, rotating them in the cylinder, thus creating a cross-hatch pattern to promote proper oil migration up and down the cylinder wall.
During the tour, which lasted about two hours, we learned that most of C&T’s business involves machine work on modern gas and diesel powered engines. They also do some machine work on high performance engines, motorcycle engines, and antique engines. I was very impressed with the precision of the large machines and the technicians’ skill to use them within tolerances of a thousandth of an inch (0.001”) or less. When asked about their ability to rebuild Model A engines, Rod explained that they are not equipped to line bore crankshaft bearings or pour babbitt, so they are not set up to do a full rebuild on a Model A engine. But for crack inspection, cylinder head flattening, manifold grinding, or other Model A engine machine work, I would recommend them without hesitation.
