McPherson College Engine Verification Assistance

Hello Pierce-Arrow Society members.

I am Craig S. Nelson, U.S. Navy (ret). I am currently a senior at McPherson College Kansas majoring in a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Restoration Technology.

McPherson College currently owns two 1930 Pierce-Arrow cars, a Model B roadster, and a Model C sedan. Both cars were donated to the school over 25 years ago. The Model B came with a C chassis and an A engine. The Model C came with a C chassis and a C engine. Both cars are in very poor condition.

The ultimate goal is to fully restore our Model B roadster (serial number 134-R-59) since the body is in relatively fair condition. The Model C sedan body is too far gone to use. The sedan will potentially act as a parts car.

In the past few months, we have begun the disassembly and documentation of our Model B done by the students, myself included, as current and future senior projects.

The goal of this message is to specifically address 3 engines currently own. My partner and I are disassembling and documenting the engines for our senior project. We have completed approximately 33 hours so far. We currently have:

– 1930 “A” engine serial number 300523, casting # 123379, casting date J-4-8, full longblock assembly

– 1930 “C” engine serial number 102558, casting # 731467, casting date J-8-27, full longblock assembly

– 19xx “B” engine serial number 230080, casting # 700860-1, casting date K-10-13, block is bare, 3.5 inch bore, and has an accompanying crankshaft with 4.75 inch stroke.

Our main engine goal is to verify all of our engines with experts based on the data above and the photo link below.

The specific goal is to confirm our “B” engine. We originally believed it to be a 1930 B block. However, we now believe it to be a B block from another year. The photobucket link shows all the pictures for this particular block.

http://s942.photobucket.com/user/craigsnelson/library/1930%20Pierce%20Arrow%20Roadster%20Engine

Our goal with the Model B roadster is to build the most correct car we can with parts that are not original to the car. We believe that the best Model B roadster would have a true B engine and a true B chassis.

If our “B” engine is the best choice, then we will go forward with building that engine. If this “B” engine is from a later model Pierce-Arrow, then our best option at this time is to use our A or C engine.

For parts procurement, we are open to donation offers, outright sale, or trades.

I can be contacted anytime by cell or e-mail [email protected] / (619) 944-8971

Thanks.

http://s942.photobucket.com/user/craigsnelson/library/1930%20Pierce%20Arrow%20Roadster%20Engine