When did exact part details get established? Concern re 1919 Northway engine

[Dodge1934]

In the ealry days of car making parts were made specifically for the car they were building.

At some point the parts were sufficient similar to be interchangeable.

The 1919 Northway engine has cam and crank shaft gears. If I mark the gears on one engine and take them off and put them on another 1919 Northway engine,  will the key ways be in the correct place to insure the positioning of the cam shaft and crank shaft are in the correct place to insure the valves and pistons are moving properly?

 

I hope that is clear . if not let me know what else you need to know.

 

Don

[Rusty_OToole]

The traditional method of checking cam timing is to start by finding the crossover point, that is, the point where the intake and exhaust are open the same amount. With this as reference you can advance or retard the cam timing with offset keys or eccentric bushings.

[nickelroadster]

There are probably 20 to 25 different Northway engines in 1919, a lot of them different engines that still shared some of their parts.  I would do some research on what your cam timing is and use a degree wheel to make absolutely certain that you have it right.

[Bloo]

I don't know, but 1919 is well into the interchangeable parts era. An automobile engine without interchangeable parts that late would be unusual and extremely archaic. If the engines are not the exact same model, all bets are off. Sorry I can't definitively answer the question.

 

Edited November 18, 2021 by Bloo (see edit history)

[Dodge1934]

That is beyond my knowledge level ... looks like I will need an expert for this project... they are just hard to find in my area.... 

also one engine is seized and the one I am rebuilding hasn`t got the gears on it at all anymore... Also the valves are in the head .

[joe_padavano]

Anything built on an assembly line used interchangeable parts. There is no other option.

[Dodge1934]

Thanks everyone for your input.