Aries Limited
16 West Jackson Street
Medford, OR 97501
Phone: 650-279-6609
Email: Sales@amuffler.com
Rebuilt Model B Engine
This Model B engine is a diamond block made in the late 1930’s for use as an industrial engine. It has a counterbalanced crankshaft with inserted main bearings. The block is sleeved which makes for better cooling. The pistons are .030” oversize Egge Pistons, the same ones recommended for the Burtz Engine. The connecting rods are new, inserted rods from Antique Engine Rebuilding. The valves are stainless steel, with oversize intake valves for better breathing. The camshaft was reground by Jim Brierley, a touring grind. It provides good low-end torque and good high-end horsepower. The head is a 6.5:1 as is the 30-pound flywheel, both from Burtz. The pressure plate is a Ford V-8, which means less pedal pressure when shifting.
The engine has been test run and is strong, quiet and smooth. The Model B engine is a vast improvement over the Model A engine. The oiling system on the Model A is a gravity fed system, while Model B has pressurized main bearings and cam bearings.
The surface area of the bearings is 20% greater, while the cross section of the output shaft is 50% greater than the Model A.
This means an almost indestructible engine. Its durability is very close to that of the Burtz Engine.
The price does not include the water pump, fan, distributor, manifolds, carburetor or starter. These items can be supplied at additional cost.
We can also supply an FSI automatic, solid-state distributor, which would be timed at our shop.
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Price is $6,500 outright, no core required.
About the Engine Builder - Joe Davis:
Joe learned how to build Model A Ford engines from his Dad. When Joe was 16, he bought his first Model A. It needed most everything and getting it running and stopping reliably was of first order. Dad had years of experience not only with Model A’s but also heavy diesel tractors and earth moving equipment. He showed Joe how to scrape bearings and set the clearance on the mains and the rods. Cylinders were honed and new rings installed, wrist pins checked, and ring gaps checked. Valves were lapped in by hand and clearance adjusted by grinding. The engine was a success, Joe put over 20,000 miles on it, driving over and around the Sierra Mountains on countless camping trips. Two years later, he built a counter-balanced B engine with a Cragar overhead valve conversion and two Stromberg 97 carburetors. It was set up with juice brakes and a Columbia overdrive rear axle. It went very fast and after 6,000 miles, he sold it when some offered a bunch of money for it.
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Just like then, no stone is left unturned. The babbit is melted out of the blocks, then they are hot tanked and vapor honed to reveal any cracks or flaws. The block is machined in Albany, Oregon to accommodate insert bearings. If the block is over .100 oversize on the bores, we sleeve it. Modern stainless valves and guides are installed; the intake ports are smoothed for beter breathing. We usually use oversize intake valves as well. We use either a Brierly reground cam or a Burtz cam. Both are excellent cams. We rebuild the oil pumps to accommodate an oil filter. We use the Burtz 6 1⁄2 to one head. Connecting rods are from Antique Engine Rebuilders, they are new forgings with inserts. I have built two of the Steve Serr Miller overhead valve setups and that is definitely an option. We use a 30- pound Burtz flywheel and V-8 pressure plate. We can build the engine to accommodate a Model A transmission or a synchromesh Model B transmission.
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I have built many other types of antique engines, including several Packard Straight Eights from the early 30’s and 2 Lincoln V-8’s plus a Lincoln Zephyr V-12. I owned and operated Aries Restoration in La Honda for over 10 years where we repaired or restored over 400 cars, including many Model A Fords plus many other Pre-War automobiles.
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1930 Model A Ford Standard Phaeton
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A ground up restoration by Joe Davis, former owner of Aries Restoration in La Honda, California.
Front end and rear end disassembled. All bearings replaced, new king pins, everything powder coated. Engine has counter balanced crankshaft and all insert bearings. The engine appears completely factory stock, but has a Snyder 6:1 head, touring camshaft and stainless steel valves for additional horsepower. A Leakless water pump with stainless steel shaft, an accessory oil filter and a completely rebuilt original Zenith Carburetor.
The Front brake drums are new cast iron. The braking system was completely over hauled with new parts. The brakes work perfectly without fading and with moderate pressure. It has a lightened flywheel with early Ford V-8 clutch for much lighter foot pressure. The entire chassis has been sand-blasted and powder coated and is fairly clean as the car has about 700 miles on it since restored.
The upholstery is vinyl as was the original, the pattern and style of the upholstery is as original. It has seat belts for 4 people. The instrument panel is the original Butler finish, a satin finish. The ignition switch is the original "popout" style. The steering gear was completely taken down, all new bearings and modern seals installed. It feels like power steering. The wheels are the original 19" welded wire wheels, sand blasted, and powder coated the correct color. Tires are new 19-inch Firestone tread pattern.
The car travels at 55 mph very nicely. Other accessories include a left side spare tire mount, cowl lights, dual taillights and turn signals. Also rock guard over the radiator and a deluxe style trunk rack which is not installed. Wind wings protect the driver and front passenger from excessive wind at high speeds. A side view mirror is attached to the driver's side wind wing. This is essentially a new car, with every part either replaced with new or restored back to original condition. The 1930 Standard Phaeton is a very hard to find car.
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Engine; high performance counter balanced and inserted.
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Brake system restored, new cast iron drums in front.
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Restored to original styling and colors.
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Turn signals and seat belts.
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Chassis restored and powder coated
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Steering; new bearings and gears, with modern seals
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Pin striped as original.
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Many accessories, see above
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Price: $41,000 -- Car is located in Medford, Oregon.
Contact: Joe Davis 650-279-6609 or email jdavis@amuffler.com
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Speedster
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Land of Enchantment Tour: Near Los Alamos, NM Lunch stop.
THIS CUSTOM BODIED RACE CAR BUILT ON A HIGH PERFORMANCE CHASSIS-
EXACTLY AS WAS DONE IN 1922
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Ford Performance published an article May 12, 2025 about this speedster.​
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This "speedster" is a close replica of the Alfred Moss's car which ran in the Indy 500 (Ford Racing Century p57). Ford chassis were easy to find and modify in the early 1920's. They were raced extensively and professionally all across the country. This chassis and engine were built by Don and Larry Azevedo, the chassis was lowered about 6" and various improvements have been made to the suspension and steering. The car handles quite nicely and has participated in over a dozen pre-war rallies on the West Coast. It has gone wheel to wheel with a Bugatti type 35 in one rally. The body and coach work were done by Aries Restoration in La Honda, CA. All custom made using pre-War technology. There are no modern parts on this car, nothing made after 1927 (except the battery and a hidden fuel pump). It is licensed and registered as a 1922 vehicle and certified 100 years old by the Horseless Carriage Club. The workmanship and authenticity, won the car a "Best in Class" award at the Burlingame Concours de Elegance. All of the signage and numbering on the car are hand painted, using original signs of the day for patterns. 5 on each side of the body plus the racing number on the fins of the radiator.
The engine is 177 ci, with stainless steel valves, modern aluminum pistons, 3/4 race cam, high compression aluminum head, belt driven water pump, custom headers and an original Winfield Carburetor. The drive train consists of a new modern version of the Warford over/under transmission, made by KC Industries in Kansas City, MO. Also, a Ruckstell Two Speed rear axle and the stock Ford Transmission. A total of 12 speeds forward. It is an all-steel custom made body forward of the rear bulkhead just behind the driver. The boat tail contains the gas tank, two storage compartments and is covered in a modern fabric as used to restore antique airplanes. This keeps the weight of the car down and is helpful in handling. These fabric covered bodies were popular in the 1920's, the most famous being the Bentley race cars where the entire body was fabric, only the hood and part of the cowling were metal.
The radiator and radiator shell are from a 1922 Whippet, it is a honey comb radiator, which provide more cooling than conventional radiators. We had to install an internal thermostat to keep the engine running at the proper temperature. The unique shape of this radiator sets the car apart from the original square Ford radiators. The car has a hidden turn signal system, operated by a switch under the dash.
The speedometer is driven off the right front wheel and powers a completely restored 1920 vintage Steward speedometer with odometer and trip odometer. The odometer shows about 2300 miles, logged in many rallies. The bucket seats are custom made and staggered to allow more room for the driver. The steering wheel is a "Fat Man" wheel, which folds to allow easy entry into the drivers' seat. The electrical system has a hidden regulator, this keeps the hidden Optima battery, evenly charged. Fuel pumps of any kind were not available until the late 1920's. These early race cars had a manually operated pump, to keep about 2- or 3-pounds pressure in the gas tank, so the fuel gets to the carburetor. This car has the manual pump and pressure gauge located on the right side of the dash board, but it has been bypassed by a hidden electric fuel pump that does the job nicely. The car has performed very reliability with not one breakdown since new, it has never come close to overheating in spite of some very difficult rallies. Once in Northern New Mexico we had a 22% grade down 6 miles into a national park, then back out, with temperatures being over 90 degrees. Another climb was the "Going to the Sun" Road in Glacier National Park, then a 100 miles loop around the north eastern side of the park. The car is fun to drive and handles quite nicely. With only 2300 miles on it, it is just broken in and ready for fun.
This is a one-of-a-kind vehicle, it is like driving a piece of history, as it is truly as a race car of the day.
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Coming in for a Pit Stop "Land of Enchantment tour"
At speed on dirt road, 2017 Endurance Run, Hollister, California
Right Side Engine Compartment: Headers and wrapping, note springs on Radius Rods for shock resistance, custom intake manifold, note wrapping to keep hood belt from touching hot headers.
Right side hood closed, shows hood belts and
latches, flex conduit for head light, 3 of
the painted on signs, red flare on hood louvers.
Left side of Cockpit, early windshield, varnished wooden dash, fat man steering wheel, more painted on signs, vintage rear view mirrors. Spare tire is behind front seats.
Right side Cockpit, shows wrapping on exhaust pipe, more on painted on signs, hand grip built into body.
Closeup of right head light shows connector detail, latch detail as used on early cars of the period. Front spring support.
Wiring was carefully planned and a professionally made loom contructioned. A fuse panel shows all circuits. The loom is correctly attached at all points, all done in a professional manner.
Tail light and license plate holder are vintage, supported by a polished rod that runs through body to right side tail light. Note wiring loom is held on by metal ties, not zip ties. Again as would have been done originally.
Large Motometer, can be easily seen from drivers seat
Straight on view of cockpit, shows speedometer, manual fuel pump and gauge on right, shift lever for Warford, mirror and head light switch.
Right rear tail light, with STOP in the glass.
Whippet Radiator front view showing #64
lettered into honeycomb radiator. #64
was assigned by the Northwest Speedster Association.
The wheels are balanced by wrapping solder around the spokes, this was an authentic way of balancing as used in the 1920's.
Rear compartments are accessed by two
hinged covers, held down by a spring loaded latch. The compartments are varnished wood and hold a 2 gallon gas can, 1 gallon of water, tools, jack with plenty of room left for several lunches, drinks, warm coat etc.
Events completed:
2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 SCVMTC Endurance Run 200 miles.
HCCA annual tour, Bakersfield, CA 2014
2016 National Tour Albuquerque, NM 575 miles
2017 National Tour Glacier Park, MT 650 miles
Orange County Speedsters 2019-Fallbrook, CA 200 miles
Features:
• High compression aluminum head
• Winfield carburetor
• Rocky Mountain brakes
• Modern easy shift Warford aluminum case transmission
• Turn signals built into vintage lights
• Fabric for boat tail installed by professional airplane builder
• Whippet Radiator(honey comb type)
• Optima battery, Steward Speedometer and Odometer
• All steel construction on body, with oak frames and fabric covered boat tail.
• There have been no breakdowns or problems on the car in the 2300 miles it has run.
A very reliable vehicle.
This vehicle has about 2300 miles on it since constructed,
it is in show condition and starts and runs beautifully.
It is available for $37,500.
Contact: Joe Davis 650-279-6609 or email jdavis@amuffler.com