Liberty Aircraft Engine Cylinders, circa 1918

01

Artifact Overview

Ford, Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln, Marmon, and Packard built more than 20,000 Liberty V-12 aircraft engines for the Allied Powers during World War I. Ford produced the engine cylinders for all manufacturers. The company developed a new method for making cylinders from steel tubing rather than boring them from solid forgings. These examples contrast Ford's process with a forged cylinder.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Component

Date Made

circa 1918

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.136.314

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Metal
Iron (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Black (Color)
Brown (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 23 in
Width: 15.75 in
Length: 58 in

Inscriptions

on front plate: Liberty Motor Cylinders / Ford Motor Company on plaque: OLD METHOD / 114 Lbs. FORD METHOD 49 1/2 Lbs.