The Ford Barn

bobH · 03-06-2013, 07:53 PM

Here's one for Ron & Walt & John, and other engine guru's to comment on....
(And, no, I'm sure I haven't seen it all)
I was at my engine builders shop a couple days ago. This is a one-guy shop, specializes in flatheads, bangers, and other oldies, but mostly flatheads. He showed me an 8BA that a customer brought in, customer said it had a knock, and could they fix it. And, the engine is supposed to be 'rebuilt', by someone else. The engine is all spic-n-span clean, freshly painted (copper/bronze color). So, shop owner decides to pull one head, before he installs in on his engine stand to run it. Sure enough, it all looks fresh on the top of the pistons, top of valves, and gaskets look new.
The Pistons are marked .040 over 3/16. However... In cylinder #2, there is a substantial visible gap between the piston and the wall. Rings are showing, and the piston can be rocked back & forth about 1/8 or so.
Someone put a 3/16 plus .040 piston in a cylinder that is bored 3-3/8 !!
Yes, I imagine it knocked a little. Pretty hard to believe !!

Ol' Ron · 03-06-2013, 11:27 PM

Must have had a real party the nite they bored the block. When I was young I was told "The guy that checks the parts" is the real builder. Then you just put it together.

Mike in AZ · 03-07-2013, 12:30 AM

just one cylinder was bored to 3-3/8??....wonder if there is a story to that....Mike

bobH · 03-07-2013, 03:18 PM

One cylinder bored 3/8... other seven are 3/16 plus .040
Gotta wonder. Maybe Ron nailed it.
(The engine builder has sinced passed on, so there is no going back to ask.)

51 MERC-CT · 03-07-2013, 03:33 PM

Wonder if it was meant to be sleeved and someone forgot the sleeve.

brien · 03-07-2013, 05:56 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Wonder if it was meant to be sleeved and someone forgot the sleeve.

Do the others have a sleeve? If so, you nailed it.

03-06-2013, 07:53 PM	#1
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,394	8BA Piston Clearence, Have I seen it all yet? Here's one for Ron & Walt & John, and other engine guru's to comment on.... (And, no, I'm sure I haven't seen it all) I was at my engine builders shop a couple days ago. This is a one-guy shop, specializes in flatheads, bangers, and other oldies, but mostly flatheads. He showed me an 8BA that a customer brought in, customer said it had a knock, and could they fix it. And, the engine is supposed to be 'rebuilt', by someone else. The engine is all spic-n-span clean, freshly painted (copper/bronze color). So, shop owner decides to pull one head, before he installs in on his engine stand to run it. Sure enough, it all looks fresh on the top of the pistons, top of valves, and gaskets look new. The Pistons are marked .040 over 3/16. However... In cylinder #2, there is a substantial visible gap between the piston and the wall. Rings are showing, and the piston can be rocked back & forth about 1/8 or so. Someone put a 3/16 plus .040 piston in a cylinder that is bored 3-3/8 !! Yes, I imagine it knocked a little. Pretty hard to believe !!

03-07-2013, 12:30 AM	#3
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: 8BA Piston Clearence, Have I seen it all yet? just one cylinder was bored to 3-3/8??....wonder if there is a story to that....Mike

03-07-2013, 03:18 PM	#4
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,394	Re: 8BA Piston Clearence, Have I seen it all yet? One cylinder bored 3/8... other seven are 3/16 plus .040 Gotta wonder. Maybe Ron nailed it. (The engine builder has sinced passed on, so there is no going back to ask.)

03-07-2013, 03:33 PM	#5
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: 8BA Piston Clearence, Have I seen it all yet? Wonder if it was meant to be sleeved and someone forgot the sleeve. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-06-2013, 11:27 PM	#2
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: 8BA Piston Clearence, Have I seen it all yet? Must have had a real party the nite they bored the block. When I was young I was told "The guy that checks the parts" is the real builder. Then you just put it together.