The Ford Barn

Graeme / New Zealand · 07-06-2018, 02:11 AM

Welcome from New Zealand at the "ass end of the world."

GB

chap52 · 07-06-2018, 07:23 AM

Remember on these "flatties" the cylinders are numbered front to back, passenger side 1-2-3-4 and driver side 5-6-7-8. So the one you found with the rust issue is #3.

Several of us have old Chevy flash backs when numbering the cylinders for spark plug wire placement on the distributor cap. Really messes up the timing. Don't ask how I know...

You'll get it, keep us posted.Chap

tubman · 07-06-2018, 07:52 AM

I think this is the most common problem I have encountered when called upon to help people who "just can't get the damn thing to run!".

Habusailor · 07-06-2018, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Hello "Flatheadfarner"; we're pretty close, as I am in Breezy Point, north of Brainerd. I know of at least one other member in the area as well. Welcome to the "Barn".

Another close member, I am in the Pelican Rapids area. 2 flattes in my garage a 35 and a 49 shoe box

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ol' Ron · 07-06-2018, 08:54 AM

Yes welcome.
the best thing you can do is buy an early motors manual. This will give you all the information on the truck and it's pieces parts. Clintions is probably the best. Your systems should be covered up to the mid 50's.
Keep em rinnin
Ol' Ron

VeryTangled · 07-06-2018, 09:30 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Hi Everyone, Flatheadfarmer has these photos to share...

Flatheadfarmer · 07-06-2018, 09:35 AM

Thanks Jeff for the help with the pictures. I just have to put the other tire on it and pull it up to the garage.

VeryTangled · 07-06-2018, 09:46 AM

You are absolutely welcome, Flatheadfarmer. I'm enjoying following your new 'family' project.

There are lots of ways to deal with a stuck engine, so I hear. One of the most dramatic, and I can't find the photo of it, involves starting a small controlled fire inside the stuck cylinder while the engine is out of the car with the heads off. That's around here in the Forum somewhere.

I also saw recently, on the Model A side, a gizmo that bolts where the starter is, has a starter gear that goes in the flywheel and a bolt head that can be used to coax the engine to spin.

I'll be watching with fingers crossed.

Edit to add: I like trucks!

Flatheadfarmer · 07-06-2018, 10:54 AM

Well at least I have one fan around here... Haha. I have heard of people using the fire method too, but I figure a torch would work better anyhow. I've usually been able to get them free, but now that I have said something... This one may not.

rotorwrench · 07-06-2018, 12:25 PM

The pistons can rust up in the bores. Sometimes they are so bad that they have to be cut or broken out. The valves can also get stuck. I have a later 8BA truck motor that has a decent block but the valves were stuck and the farmer tried to pull start it with a tractor. One of the valve stems dented its cam follower and broke the cam shaft. That one was a bear to get apart but it can be done with the right tools if they get that bad.

Lets hope yours is just a couple of stuck pistons. I generally recommend a person pull the heads & intake and have a look. All it will cost is the gaskets if things aren't crusted up too bad. I hope the thing was either drained of coolant or had plenty of anti-freeze. They like to freeze up in the north country. A lot of blocks were ruined due to that.

It looks like a 46 or 47 1 1/2-ton with a flat bed. You should be able to tell by the VIN number. Some farm trucks have a dump bed. I know all of ours did.

Welcome to the Barn.

Flatheadfarmer · 07-07-2018, 08:48 AM

This one just has a flatbed is all, no dump box. Also found another shift transmission top that moves freely for it, and a fan shroud laying on the bed.

chap52 · 07-07-2018, 09:20 AM

When I found my 52 it had a home built, wood framed flatbed on it. I designed a new bed and had my son weld it up for me. Used redwood because of the looks, not the durability. Really gets the looks and good comments when I drive it. Make it "Your Truck"...Chap

tubman · 07-07-2018, 10:09 AM

"Chap", That's almost too purty to use. I had a 5500 actual mile el Camino once with the same problem; not a scratch in the bed and I sure wasn't going to be the first. Are you gonna use it for real or is it just for looks?

26 lakes · 07-07-2018, 01:07 PM

This is how I always take stuck motors apart. I have used this method on more than two dozen blocks. It has never failed. The pistons will slide out when you are done. I posted this years ago. Thanks
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61058

chap52 · 07-07-2018, 06:16 PM

Tubman, I do use it for hauling lumber and home project materials. But I first cover it with good ol Harbor Freight moving blankets.
Use to haul firewood with it when I first got it.

Flatheadfarmer · 07-09-2018, 08:22 PM

Well I've been at a stand still. I have to clear the shop up some getting an old 1938 Pontiac coupe out. It has been free for two years, but not started. Put some gas in the carb bowl and cranked the old 6 v starter and she came to life. Smokey, but came to life.

Flatheadfarmer · 07-20-2018, 11:21 PM

I baught myself a motorbooks workshop Ford Flathead v8 engine book. It seems to be packed full of info, plus a little more like porting, polish, and deck work.

Charlie Stephens · 07-20-2018, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatheadfarmer

Hello,

I stumbled upon this forum, and it looked like it was geared towards what I was heading for. I have an old Ford Flathead truck that was my grandpa's, and I got the green light to take and get it going. It was supposed to be overhauled before in the 60's, and was drive around for ten years or so. It is now stuck, and would like to know what I am working with. I believe it to be a 46 Ford truck, 5 bolt rims, with a 24 stud engine. It has center water outlests also, but I do not know the exact years yet... I'll try to post pictures.

There is a special forum intended to be used to practice things like posting pictures, https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13 Try out posting a few pictures. If you are having problems come back to the main forum and tell us what you are using to take pictures and what computer/software you are using to post. Cell phone pictures are usually about the right resolution to post but larger cameras may require reducing the size of the pictures before posting. You will find it easy after the first couple of times.

Charlie Stephens

Flatheadfarmer · 07-21-2018, 10:38 AM

Thank you for the insight. I am using a phone camera.

07-06-2018, 02:11 AM	#21
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	Re: New guy Welcome from New Zealand at the "ass end of the world." GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

07-06-2018, 07:23 AM	#22
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: New guy Remember on these "flatties" the cylinders are numbered front to back, passenger side 1-2-3-4 and driver side 5-6-7-8. So the one you found with the rust issue is #3. Several of us have old Chevy flash backs when numbering the cylinders for spark plug wire placement on the distributor cap. Really messes up the timing. Don't ask how I know... You'll get it, keep us posted.Chap

07-06-2018, 07:52 AM	#23
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: New guy I think this is the most common problem I have encountered when called upon to help people who "just can't get the damn thing to run!".

07-06-2018, 08:54 AM	#25
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: New guy Yes welcome. the best thing you can do is buy an early motors manual. This will give you all the information on the truck and it's pieces parts. Clintions is probably the best. Your systems should be covered up to the mid 50's. Keep em rinnin Ol' Ron

07-06-2018, 09:35 AM	#27
Flatheadfarmer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 12	Re: New guy Thanks Jeff for the help with the pictures. I just have to put the other tire on it and pull it up to the garage.

07-06-2018, 09:46 AM	#28
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: New guy You are absolutely welcome, Flatheadfarmer. I'm enjoying following your new 'family' project. There are lots of ways to deal with a stuck engine, so I hear. One of the most dramatic, and I can't find the photo of it, involves starting a small controlled fire inside the stuck cylinder while the engine is out of the car with the heads off. That's around here in the Forum somewhere. I also saw recently, on the Model A side, a gizmo that bolts where the starter is, has a starter gear that goes in the flywheel and a bolt head that can be used to coax the engine to spin. I'll be watching with fingers crossed. Edit to add: I like trucks! __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

07-06-2018, 10:54 AM	#29
Flatheadfarmer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 12	Re: New guy Well at least I have one fan around here... Haha. I have heard of people using the fire method too, but I figure a torch would work better anyhow. I've usually been able to get them free, but now that I have said something... This one may not.

07-06-2018, 12:25 PM	#30
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: New guy The pistons can rust up in the bores. Sometimes they are so bad that they have to be cut or broken out. The valves can also get stuck. I have a later 8BA truck motor that has a decent block but the valves were stuck and the farmer tried to pull start it with a tractor. One of the valve stems dented its cam follower and broke the cam shaft. That one was a bear to get apart but it can be done with the right tools if they get that bad. Lets hope yours is just a couple of stuck pistons. I generally recommend a person pull the heads & intake and have a look. All it will cost is the gaskets if things aren't crusted up too bad. I hope the thing was either drained of coolant or had plenty of anti-freeze. They like to freeze up in the north country. A lot of blocks were ruined due to that. It looks like a 46 or 47 1 1/2-ton with a flat bed. You should be able to tell by the VIN number. Some farm trucks have a dump bed. I know all of ours did. Welcome to the Barn. Last edited by rotorwrench; 07-06-2018 at 12:30 PM.

07-07-2018, 08:48 AM	#31
Flatheadfarmer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 12	Re: New guy This one just has a flatbed is all, no dump box. Also found another shift transmission top that moves freely for it, and a fan shroud laying on the bed.

07-07-2018, 10:09 AM	#33
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: New guy "Chap", That's almost too purty to use. I had a 5500 actual mile el Camino once with the same problem; not a scratch in the bed and I sure wasn't going to be the first. Are you gonna use it for real or is it just for looks?

07-07-2018, 01:07 PM	#34
26 lakes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lee's Summit, Mo Posts: 338	Re: New guy This is how I always take stuck motors apart. I have used this method on more than two dozen blocks. It has never failed. The pistons will slide out when you are done. I posted this years ago. Thanks https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61058

07-07-2018, 06:16 PM	#35
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: New guy Tubman, I do use it for hauling lumber and home project materials. But I first cover it with good ol Harbor Freight moving blankets. Use to haul firewood with it when I first got it.

07-09-2018, 08:22 PM	#36
Flatheadfarmer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 12	Re: New guy Well I've been at a stand still. I have to clear the shop up some getting an old 1938 Pontiac coupe out. It has been free for two years, but not started. Put some gas in the carb bowl and cranked the old 6 v starter and she came to life. Smokey, but came to life.

07-20-2018, 11:21 PM	#37
Flatheadfarmer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 12	Re: New guy I baught myself a motorbooks workshop Ford Flathead v8 engine book. It seems to be packed full of info, plus a little more like porting, polish, and deck work.

07-21-2018, 10:38 AM	#39
Flatheadfarmer Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Central Minnesota Posts: 12	Re: New guy Thank you for the insight. I am using a phone camera.