The Ford Barn

OoltewahSpeedShop · 07-08-2010, 07:29 PM

Another stuck Flathead story....
I traded for this flathead engine that "Supposedly" had been sitting dry in a garage for years.... "It's stuck, but can't be bad" that was the story.

I've tried every old school trick in the book to get it free. Marvel Mystery, Kroil, PB Blaster, Coke, Pepsi, antifreeze, nothing worked. Won't budge!

Here's what we found tonight. Beware! It's not pretty.

Wonder why it was stuck? Sitting dry for years. Really? What they didn't tell me was, that it obviously sat under a drain spout for a few years before that. Either way, didn't see any cracks, and the cylinders don't look too bad believe it or not.

It did move a little bit, so it's soaking again. Wish me luck!

Later,
Kevin
Attached Thumbnails

__________________

Dennis/Arkansas · 07-08-2010, 08:25 PM

Hey Kevin, here's wishing you luck! It already looks much better. Please keep us informed of your progress. Very encouraging that it has moved a lick. Dennis/Arkansas

Brendan · 07-08-2010, 08:31 PM

one guy told me he put brake fluid in the cylinders and lit it on fire, he said that it burnt very slow

redfor40 · 07-08-2010, 09:05 PM

it looks like it cleaned up real good i got one on a engine stand and guy said it was no good i am going to get another opinion

OoltewahSpeedShop · 07-08-2010, 09:55 PM

Obviously all the "Remedies" to a stuck flathead worked on the gunk. It's still stuck though. In the valve guides as far as I can tell. Looks as though the bottom end is loose, but the valves are stuck.

Does that sound right?

Joe KCMO · 07-08-2010, 10:02 PM

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Very possible. The valves could be rusted in the valve guides and stopping it from turning. As a matter of fact, that was my first guess before your last post.

Mike B · 07-08-2010, 10:20 PM

Those upper right two pics, is that just after tear down, or after you had something in the engine?

52merc · 07-09-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OoltewahSpeedShop

Another stuck Flathead story....
I traded for this flathead engine that "Supposedly" had been sitting dry in a garage for years.... "It's stuck, but can't be bad" that was the story.

I've tried every old school trick in the book to get it free. Marvel Mystery, Kroil, PB Blaster, Coke, Pepsi, antifreeze, nothing worked. Won't budge!

Here's what we found tonight. Beware! It's not pretty.

Wonder why it was stuck? Sitting dry for years. Really? What they didn't tell me was, that it obviously sat under a drain spout for a few years before that. Either way, didn't see any cracks, and the cylinders don't look too bad believe it or not.

It did move a little bit, so it's soaking again. Wish me luck!

Later,
Kevin
Attached Thumbnails

__________________

i would put it into a 44 gal drum of diesel leave it soak for a couple of weeks

OoltewahSpeedShop · 07-09-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B

Those upper right two pics, is that just after tear down, or after you had something in the engine?

Yeah those pictures with the junk in the cylinders were taken as soon as the heads came off. The later pics were after I cleaned it up.

Ross in East Texas · 07-09-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 52merc

i would put it into a 44 gal drum of diesel leave it soak for a couple of weeks

Here in Texas we have 55 gallon drums.

Old Redneck · 07-09-2010, 09:00 AM

When I bought my 39 Std.

it had been sitting for several years like 15. The engine was stuck. When I got it home I took the spark plugs out and filled the cylinders with PB Blaster pent fluid. Then I put a new battery in and every time I walk by the car I would bump the starter. The third day the engine broke loose.I then drain the oil and it had water in the oil??? I then check the tourque and the right side was only 40 pounds. I put a new head gasket on that sside. Been driving the cat for two years with no problem.Just takes time to solve the problem.Might try a little heat since you have the heads off also.

GreenMonster48 · 07-09-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross in East Texas

Here in Texas we have 55 gallon drums.

And 10 gallon hats

jdl · 07-09-2010, 09:14 AM

Try acetone & atf 50-50 mix. it is the best penetrate. squirt valve guides and all often.

tintoptexan · 07-09-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiesteve

The US gallon is smaller than the imperial gallon,hence the difference

Found this to further complicate matters. (Slow day at work).

There are 55 gallons in a drum and 42 gallons (1 U.S. gallon = 3.78541178 liters) in a barrel (i.e., 1 barrel = 158.9872948 liters).

Originally there were 40 gallons to a barrel. However, that was changed in the mid-19th century to give a little extra so consumers wouldn't feel "cheated."

A little over 23 gallons of gasoline can be refined from a barrel of oil. Other products (jet fuel, lubricants, etc.) make up the rest.

The easy way to remember the number of gallons in a barrel of oil: There are 7 letters in gallons and 6 letters in barrel. 7X6=42 gallons.
42 US gallons.

Paul Selfe · 07-09-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OoltewahSpeedShop

Another stuck Flathead story....
I traded for this flathead engine that "Supposedly" had been sitting dry in a garage for years.... "It's stuck, but can't be bad" that was the story.

I've tried every old school trick in the book to get it free. Marvel Mystery, Kroil, PB Blaster, Coke, Pepsi, antifreeze, nothing worked. Won't budge!

Here's what we found tonight. Beware! It's not pretty.

Wonder why it was stuck? Sitting dry for years. Really? What they didn't tell me was, that it obviously sat under a drain spout for a few years before that. Either way, didn't see any cracks, and the cylinders don't look too bad believe it or not.

It did move a little bit, so it's soaking again. Wish me luck!

Later,
Kevin
Attached Thumbnails

__________________

The engine in my roadster came from the "boneyard", dragged it out from under a one ton telephone truck that had been setting on it's side for many years. I thought it would be just for parts, so my son and I knocked half the pistons out with a big sledge and a 2 in, piece of barstock. Some came out the bottom after we got the crank out. Some had water, and some were just badly corroded in place, it looked worse than your pics. I looked the block over, and it looked in good shape. I had it bored .060, skin cut the decks, and ground the crank. It's been running great in the roadster for going on 15 years now. There's most likely a lot of life still left in that engine of yours. Good luck and have fun! Paul Selfe.

flat 39 · 07-09-2010, 12:04 PM

I had a similar piston in my 8BA. I soaked it for days and took a BFH to it abd beat the living snot out of it until it came out.

Russ/40 · 07-09-2010, 12:11 PM

Tilt the block so a deck is level. Degrease the bores as best as you can. Fill the bores with Phosphoric Acid. It will dissolve the rust. All the penetrants in the world will not dissolve rust.

Django · 07-09-2010, 12:35 PM

What about vinegar?

52merc · 07-09-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross in East Texas

Here in Texas we have 55 gallon drums.

everything isbigger in texas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Zeke...PA · 07-09-2010, 07:26 PM

Had the same problem and description when purchased, 6 of 8 pistons were broken into pieces getting out. Valves were worse, most were cut off at bottom, heads broken off and driven down and out. I cleaned and relieved block. Cleaned ports. Still to go to the machine shop to see if it will clean up at 3 5/16 as it was std. but pitted badly. Zeke

07-08-2010, 07:29 PM	#1
OoltewahSpeedShop Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ooltewah Tn. Posts: 95	Another stuck Flathead story.... Another stuck Flathead story.... I traded for this flathead engine that "Supposedly" had been sitting dry in a garage for years.... "It's stuck, but can't be bad" that was the story. I've tried every old school trick in the book to get it free. Marvel Mystery, Kroil, PB Blaster, Coke, Pepsi, antifreeze, nothing worked. Won't budge! Here's what we found tonight. Beware! It's not pretty. Wonder why it was stuck? Sitting dry for years. Really? What they didn't tell me was, that it obviously sat under a drain spout for a few years before that. Either way, didn't see any cracks, and the cylinders don't look too bad believe it or not. It did move a little bit, so it's soaking again. Wish me luck! Later, Kevin Attached Thumbnails __________________

07-08-2010, 08:25 PM	#2
Dennis/Arkansas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lead Hill, Arkansas Posts: 237	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... Hey Kevin, here's wishing you luck! It already looks much better. Please keep us informed of your progress. Very encouraging that it has moved a lick. Dennis/Arkansas

07-08-2010, 08:31 PM	#3
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... one guy told me he put brake fluid in the cylinders and lit it on fire, he said that it burnt very slow

07-08-2010, 09:05 PM	#4
redfor40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: indiana Posts: 99	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... it looks like it cleaned up real good i got one on a engine stand and guy said it was no good i am going to get another opinion

07-08-2010, 09:55 PM	#5
OoltewahSpeedShop Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ooltewah Tn. Posts: 95	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... Obviously all the "Remedies" to a stuck flathead worked on the gunk. It's still stuck though. In the valve guides as far as I can tell. Looks as though the bottom end is loose, but the valves are stuck. Does that sound right?

07-08-2010, 10:02 PM	#6
Joe KCMO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 423	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Very possible. The valves could be rusted in the valve guides and stopping it from turning. As a matter of fact, that was my first guess before your last post.

07-08-2010, 10:20 PM	#7
Mike B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 1,323	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... Those upper right two pics, is that just after tear down, or after you had something in the engine?

07-09-2010, 09:00 AM	#11
Old Redneck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesburg,Pa. Posts: 1,910	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... When I bought my 39 Std. it had been sitting for several years like 15. The engine was stuck. When I got it home I took the spark plugs out and filled the cylinders with PB Blaster pent fluid. Then I put a new battery in and every time I walk by the car I would bump the starter. The third day the engine broke loose.I then drain the oil and it had water in the oil??? I then check the tourque and the right side was only 40 pounds. I put a new head gasket on that sside. Been driving the cat for two years with no problem.Just takes time to solve the problem.Might try a little heat since you have the heads off also.

07-09-2010, 09:14 AM	#13
jdl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Central Coast Posts: 931	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... Try acetone & atf 50-50 mix. it is the best penetrate. squirt valve guides and all often.

07-09-2010, 12:11 PM	#17
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... Tilt the block so a deck is level. Degrease the bores as best as you can. Fill the bores with Phosphoric Acid. It will dissolve the rust. All the penetrants in the world will not dissolve rust.

07-09-2010, 12:35 PM	#18
Django Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Forest Park, IL Posts: 590	Re: Another stuck Flathead story.... What about vinegar? __________________ Obsessed with all things 1936 Ford since birth... thanks Dad.