Compressed air engine?

[Modern Garage]

I saw this engine at a swap meet recently. The seller had almost no info, except that when he opened it up for cleaning he discovered the connecting rods are marked "Ford". No other identifying marks anywhere. It appears to be designed to run on compressed air and not steam, but the question we discussed for quite a while was whether it's a production piece or shop built? Except for the head castings the rest of the external parts could be made from common materials.
Any thoughts?
Joe

 

[freudianfloyd]

Are you sure it doesn't produce air and run off of something that turns that pulley?

 

[MongoTA]

When I was in India there was a car company that made cars that ran off of compressed air. I think it was "Tata" or something similar. Sorry I have no knowledge of the one in your post, sorry! To me it does look shop built, or perhaps a manufacturing prototype, based on the fittings and weldments.

 

[SquareWave]

I'm with freudianfloyd on this one. Either way it looks really cool!

 

[930dreamer]

Very interesting setup.

 

[driftpin]

Pics of a Model A engine turned-into an air compressor. Two cylinders run the gas engine, the other two operate as the air compressor function. You could buy a kit to make your own. You supply the Model A engine. Is 60 CFM @ 90 psi enough air for you?

https://www.maffi.org/DisplayPages/1930GordonSmithCompressor.pdf

 

[Modern Garage]

I wondered about it being an air compressor and not an air user but decided an air compressor wouldn't need to have positively actuated valves but would work fine with reed valves or simple spring poppets.
I also remember seeing compressors made from gas engines. I've seen a few made from Ford V8's, GM V6's and there's a Ford flathead here on GJ. In fact I wondered if the heads on this motor - the only parts not easily shop made - might be from a compressor conversion kit. When I posted the pictures I was hoping someone would recognize those heads and chime in.
Joe

 

[930dreamer]

I wondered about it being an air compressor and not an air user but decided an air compressor wouldn't need to have positively actuated valves but would work fine with reed valves or simple spring poppets.
I also remember seeing compressors made from gas engines. I've seen a few made from Ford V8's, GM V6's and there's a Ford flathead here on GJ. In fact I wondered if the heads on this motor - the only parts not easily shop made - might be from a compressor conversion kit. When I posted the pictures I was hoping someone would recognize those heads and chime in.
Joe

I have a 302 Ford V8 Grimmer Schimdt compressor.