Stuck engine
 

Here's another quick story about my Garage Sale Model A.

To my chagrin the engine was stuck tight but as it turned out that wasn’t the problem it could have been.

Upon getting the car home I removed the spark plugs and filled the cylinders with a mixture of equal parts (I didn’t measure) diesel fuel, Marvel Mystery Oil and automatic transmission fluid. I figured at least one of them would do the job. It did.

After setting for a month, while I did a lot of the other jobs that needed attention, I took the starter off and put a screw driver to the flywheel. It broke free quite easily.

I figured when I got it running that I'd end up doing an overhaul on the engine so I bought a complete gasket set. I dropped the pan and checked everything out and cleaned the pan and oil pump, then put the pan back on with the old gaskets as I figured it wouldn't be on long anyway.

It's still on, and to my utter amazement the engine doesn't use any oil, either from burning or leaking. I can't believe it.

So, for what it's worth , maybe someone else can benefit from this and some of my other experiences with my first Model A.

Re: Stuck engine
 

Sounds promising. You may be able to just flush it out and run it. The one other thing that I would have done while the pan was off was to have adjusted all the bearings.

Enjoy it!

Ken

Re: Stuck engine
 

My guess is, the starter pinion was hung up on the ring gear and everyone just thought the engine was stuck. When you took off the starter , that fixed it. Just a thought.

Re: Stuck engine
 

No, it was definitely stuck. As we towed it home we tried to get it to turn over but the tires just skidded. And when I put in the witches brew it just sat there for days, and on some cylinders for weeks without going down. Eventually most of it found it's way to the oil pan. And I had to pry a little on the flywheel to make it break free.

Re: Stuck engine
 

I would be afraid of breaking a flywheel tooth or cracking the flywheel housing by prying on the flywheel with a screwdriver.

Re: Stuck engine
 

I'd be afraid of worrying too much. :-)

:)

Re: Stuck engine
 

Scaredy cats!!!

TJ was lucky the witches brew worked for him.
Sometimes it does and sometimes it dosen’t

Good for him!

In my case all the snake oil and time, did nothing but there was hope because of the suggestions and results others had experienced.

TJ thanks for the info and I hope others can use your experience to save a motor.

Re: Stuck engine
 

Just tryin’ to help you benefit from my experiences with over 50 years in Model A’s. :rolleyes:

Experience keeps a dear school.

Re: Stuck engine
 

Just a gew points I'd like to make. One, after you've run it for a little while (10 - 15 mins) drain all the oil out and throw it away, then replace. Reason? as time goes by and the engine isn't running, it collects moisture on the cam , lifters, cyl. walls etc. The action of running scrapes the rust off these parts and floats it through the system. If it it is left in the engine, it will cause serious wear. Two, Clear the oil screen thoroughly. I bought an engine that had a clogged oil screen (70 -80%) and surprise, surprise! The center main was shot! Some old-timers didn't think oil changes were important and sludge was just a necessary evil that you lived with. The "witches brew" that you conjured up was a good one for the purpose. Good luck with it!
Terry

Re: Stuck engine
 

Filling the crankcase to OVERFLOWING, with Diesel & a 2 week wait, will often free a stuck engine.
Bill W.

Re: Stuck engine
 

Bill,
Isn't that what the doctor did to you last time!

LOL 😂 😂

Bill Comic

Re: Stuck engine
 

Re: Stuck engine
 

I understand, and fully agree. No offense intended, just trying to make light of your concern. I'm sure everyone on this forum appreciates your input.

Re: Stuck engine
 

Might want too put a pan underneath to catch what runs out the rear bearing area because it will run out
Found that out the hard way
Made a big mess on the floor
Tinkirk


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