The Ford Barn

markdtn · 07-18-2016, 04:33 PM

Background-I have an 8BA flathead that I rebuilt for a 9N tractor. Stock, .030 over. I got it back from the machine shop (Roberts and Sons here in Chattanooga) with the crank in, cam in, valves done. I put the pistons/rods in and finished it up. It has a rope rear seal and one of the Offenhouser 1-piece front seals. When I finished it, I didn't have a crank pulley so I made sure it was at #1 TDC with the cam gear dots aligned. I got a pulley and put it on (with a puller not a hammer). I noticed that it did not even try to turn while I did that(out of tractor). It is now installed in the tractor. You can turn it tooth by tooth with the flywheel and a prybar, but cannot turn it with the front bolt. Plugs are out, carb is off, fuel pump off, distributor is in. It turned fine before I put the oil pan on with just a crank socket so I have no doubts that it got this way after I put the pan and heads on. I do not believe it is a input shaft against pilot bearing, there was no issues with mating them together.

Question-So, can the rear rope seal make it that tight? I intend to put oil in it(I primed the pump before I installed it), put a starter on (just rebuilt) and see what happens. It that an OK plan? Should I try to drop the oil pan and see if it gets easier? I have read that these are tight, but it seems really tight to me. I have built many engines before, but never a flathead. I am so deep $$, I don't want to mess anything up.

Thank you for any advice!

07-18-2016, 04:33 PM	#1
markdtn Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 164	Fleathead Fresh Rebuild very tight Background-I have an 8BA flathead that I rebuilt for a 9N tractor. Stock, .030 over. I got it back from the machine shop (Roberts and Sons here in Chattanooga) with the crank in, cam in, valves done. I put the pistons/rods in and finished it up. It has a rope rear seal and one of the Offenhouser 1-piece front seals. When I finished it, I didn't have a crank pulley so I made sure it was at #1 TDC with the cam gear dots aligned. I got a pulley and put it on (with a puller not a hammer). I noticed that it did not even try to turn while I did that(out of tractor). It is now installed in the tractor. You can turn it tooth by tooth with the flywheel and a prybar, but cannot turn it with the front bolt. Plugs are out, carb is off, fuel pump off, distributor is in. It turned fine before I put the oil pan on with just a crank socket so I have no doubts that it got this way after I put the pan and heads on. I do not believe it is a input shaft against pilot bearing, there was no issues with mating them together. Question-So, can the rear rope seal make it that tight? I intend to put oil in it(I primed the pump before I installed it), put a starter on (just rebuilt) and see what happens. It that an OK plan? Should I try to drop the oil pan and see if it gets easier? I have read that these are tight, but it seems really tight to me. I have built many engines before, but never a flathead. I am so deep $$, I don't want to mess anything up. Thank you for any advice! Last edited by markdtn; 07-18-2016 at 04:38 PM.