Opinions please
 

So, I have a '29 Murray I am totaly redoing. It is mostly torn down and I am finally to where I am starting to put things back together. I just got the engine back from getting hot tanked and magnafluxed. There are no cracks on the head or block. It was a mess. It was full of sludge and carbon.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...720_152531.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...720_152503.jpg



When I put the head on the block, it looks flat and does not rock so I do not think it needs to be surfaced.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...901_081029.jpg
But, the valve seats look a little strange. This is the worst of them. It is #5 and #4 is not as bad.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...901_080843.jpg

Is this a deal breaker?

Re: Opinions please
 

I would think so. I would try for another block for sure

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It looks like at some point harden valve seats were put in. They need to be replaced or you will not get a good tight seal. It doesn't cost the much more and it will save you in the long run.

Mike

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My plan from the start was to put all new hardened valve seats in. Is it still possible with the wear like that?

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It's been worked on before. See the sleeve?

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To save your self trouble in the future you might thik about having BOTH the head and top of block "squared" up. JMO Eliminate possibility of h/gskt failure.
paul in CT

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Your machinist should be able to find a set of seats that will work. Then a 3 angle grind, check the deck for flatness. Looks like plenty of meat in that sleeve. You might want to check the fly cut in the head without the gasket to make sure the piston does not hit it before the final bolt up of the head.

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So what I am hearing is that this can still be a useable block?

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I am stopping by the machinists to have him take a look today.

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Looks to me like there was a deck repair done when the sleeve was put in. Possibly a weld repair from the cylinder to the valve seat. Since you were going to put new seats in anyway, I don't see any reason to not go ahead with your plan. You probably could get by with grinding the valve seats that are there and have good results. There appears to be enough meat there to do that. It's not pretty, but pretty does not make functionality. Appearance wise, there was water damage before the last rebuild, which accounts for the pitting, but the pitting itself does not appear to be in the fire ring of the cylinder. A home mechanic in the day would grind the seats again and go his merry way, never having a problem with it. If you want to spend a lot of money, well whatever gives you the comfort level you can live with. JMHO. I would definitely be sure the deck and head are flat!

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What was the piston size? As others have said a new set of valve seats and decking and it looks like you have a workable motor.

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Thanks for the input.

I just got back from seeing him. He says we can still use it. He asked me what the piston size was as well, but I do not know. The pistons have a ton of burnt carbon on them that I cannot see the markings. After cleaning one up, I cannot see any size markings on the top. Only an arrow. I will try to see the markings on the other 3.

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Hedbanger, if I may go off in left field with this thread, in my opinion, this is a great example of how this forum should be used... great photos, excellent and helpful (not critical) responses. You asked for opinions and you got them straight and clean, with no critiques. Good luck on your rebiuld.

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Thanks. I agree.

Second piston cleaned off. No markings but that arrow and there is an "R" stamped in the top. It looks like someone use an engraver on this one and put the number 88 on it very sloppily and faintly.

I am soaking the other 2 in Karosene now.

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Bonus pics while I wait. The car in April 2010 when it arrived from Placerville CA.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...4-16122927.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...4-16122841.jpg

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I have to ask what kind of machinist can't measure the bore and tell you what it is.

Bob

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He could measure but that is not why I took it to him.

He is a retired engine machanic and has a machine shop in his back yard. He has a '31 fordor slant windshield and helps all the Model A guys here in the area. Nice guy. I took the block to him and left it in the trunk for him to just look at and get his opinion.

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He was working an a Roadster when I got there. It belongs to Clive Cussler. The author of "Raise the Titanic."

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The third has no morkings either. Just that arrow and some sloppy engraving.

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No markings, maybe re-sleeved to standard bore.