Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Feb, 1942 - GPW1 thru end of first contract, April, 1942 - GPW15000 NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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gpwmke
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Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by gpwmke » Tue Jun 14, 2016 7:58 pm

I have heard that the GPW blocks made by Ford were stamped when first cast and when the GPW was being built the same number was stamped on frame and data tag as it was being assembled. If a GPW received a Wilson block at assembly when was the serial number stamped on the block. What would this stamping look like? Or were the Wilson blocks stamped by Ford upon receiving them at the Ford assembly plant, before they were put on assembly line? Were Wilson blocks assigned serial numbers in groups as they were received by Ford?
Best wishes; Leo


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Tom Wolboldt
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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by Tom Wolboldt » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:30 am

Wilson Foundry blocks were just bare blocks received at the Ford motor building to be assembled into Ford GPW motors for either use in a GPW ( serial number added ) or as a replacement motor ( no serial number added ).

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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by gpwmke » Wed Jun 15, 2016 6:42 am

Thanks Tom. Then all the motor castings were bare till they reached the motor building/shop at which time the blocks, Ford or Wilson would have been assigned a serial number or designated replacement blocks and assembled with all Ford parts. Is this correct? Over time did the serial number stamps change in FONT? Example, frame stamped GPW shows the W as example in nice straight lines where as pictures of Ford engine serial numbers seem to show the W as example with more curvy lines especially on the outside lines that form the W. Was this wavy or bowed font used on all engine block stampings, it seems kind of unique.
Best wishes; Leo
PS: were all blocks used in GPW's built at the same shop before being sent to the various assembly plants?

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Tom Wolboldt
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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by Tom Wolboldt » Wed Jun 15, 2016 10:34 am

Hi Leo,

You are not leaving much GPW data information to be put into a book.

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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by gpwmke » Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:43 pm

Sorry Tom, you lost me on your last post. Just trying to find out more about my Wilson block with all Ford internals. All of your help is most appreciated. Best wishes; Leo

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Jon S
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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by Jon S » Fri Apr 07, 2017 6:28 pm

Hey Leo! I think the wavy W on the blocks came into usage later in GPW production. Most early GPW blocks have the straight W font. This opinion is based on observation alone,. I don't have any data to back it up. Jon
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Chuck Lutz
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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by Chuck Lutz » Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:42 am

Engine shop in Dearborn stamped blocks
Each factory receiving them stamped the frame

Straight sided or round sided font was a feature of the engine shop not shared with the individual factories AFAIK....

Now....WHY the engine shop began using the round font (W) is worth a paragraph or three at the very least!
1) First use of a round "W" serial number?
2) Did the use of a straight sided "W" end at the same time or overlap?
3) Did this coincide with the change from a FLAT boss to a stepped boss on the block?

Plenty left to be hashed out!
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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by rjbeamer » Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:43 pm

Hey Chuck. Just a quick check on the internet shows Oval pads and Stepped pads with both Straight "W" and curved "W". So It looks like an overlap over a large time Frame

Roger.

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Re: Wilson Blocks used in GPW

Post by tractor12 » Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:22 pm

My Wilson block was cast about 5 months before the delivery date of my gpw. The date was October 41 cast date for a March jeep
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