The Ford Barn

RonLey · 02-07-2016, 05:34 PM

Forgive me as this a long post. When I bought my '28 Roadster it came with the engine matching the frame and was supposedly rebuilt "ready to go". I already had a '29 engine rebuilt and was trying to get ready to get ready for a tour so I used it. As this winter approached I thought a great winter project would be to get the original engine in the car.

It has been nothing but problems as the entire rebuild had been poorly done. I tore it down and have been working to get it back together. I got the mains back to .001 to .0015 clearance, camshaft in and I can turn the crankshaft as approximately 20 ft-lb so happy. So some drag but acceptable.

On to the rods and here is where I am totally lost. Just as a note I have had the pistons out and checked clearances now 3 times. I put in #1, clearance .0015 at 35 ft-lb and I can turn the crankshaft with a little more drag due to the piston. Put in #2 and clearance is .001 and can still turn crankshaft. Put in #3 and clearance is .0015 and can still turn crankshaft. Put in #4 and clearance at .0015. Can't even budge the crankshaft, it is stuck. I back off #4 to hand tight and crankshaft turns.

I back all of the nuts off to 20 ft-lbs and can't turn the crankshaft. I back off #1, #2, #3 and #4 hand tight and crankshaft turns. I tighten down #4 and it crankshaft won't budge.

One factor I am not pleased with is that the rods are not matching but mismatched caps. I would still think if bored correctly I would not have this issue. I had marked the caps when I took the engine apart so I know I am putting them back as they were assembled.

I am at a loss. I am not seeing any shiny spots on #4 that would indicate a problem. The pistons move on the wrist pins fin so it's not binding there.

I am at the point of a slightly bent rod or crankshaft. Anyone have any other ideas of what to try?

Thanks

Ron

02-07-2016, 05:34 PM	#1
RonLey Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 51	Engine Frustration Forgive me as this a long post. When I bought my '28 Roadster it came with the engine matching the frame and was supposedly rebuilt "ready to go". I already had a '29 engine rebuilt and was trying to get ready to get ready for a tour so I used it. As this winter approached I thought a great winter project would be to get the original engine in the car. It has been nothing but problems as the entire rebuild had been poorly done. I tore it down and have been working to get it back together. I got the mains back to .001 to .0015 clearance, camshaft in and I can turn the crankshaft as approximately 20 ft-lb so happy. So some drag but acceptable. On to the rods and here is where I am totally lost. Just as a note I have had the pistons out and checked clearances now 3 times. I put in #1, clearance .0015 at 35 ft-lb and I can turn the crankshaft with a little more drag due to the piston. Put in #2 and clearance is .001 and can still turn crankshaft. Put in #3 and clearance is .0015 and can still turn crankshaft. Put in #4 and clearance at .0015. Can't even budge the crankshaft, it is stuck. I back off #4 to hand tight and crankshaft turns. I back all of the nuts off to 20 ft-lbs and can't turn the crankshaft. I back off #1, #2, #3 and #4 hand tight and crankshaft turns. I tighten down #4 and it crankshaft won't budge. One factor I am not pleased with is that the rods are not matching but mismatched caps. I would still think if bored correctly I would not have this issue. I had marked the caps when I took the engine apart so I know I am putting them back as they were assembled. I am at a loss. I am not seeing any shiny spots on #4 that would indicate a problem. The pistons move on the wrist pins fin so it's not binding there. I am at the point of a slightly bent rod or crankshaft. Anyone have any other ideas of what to try? Thanks Ron