The Ford Barn

flatjack9 · 01-11-2019, 03:24 PM

Had a guy bring in an 8BA engine he had bought. Was rebuilt but had been sitting for a while so he wanted me to go through it. When I took the crank out, it was ground 10 under on the mains. But surprise, the bearings were standard. Put the right bearings in and when I started to torque it down the crank locked right up. Turns out #1 main cap had been changed. Luckily I save all the caps from engines I scrap and on the 7th try found one that worked. Hopefully i won't find any more problems.

JSeery · 01-11-2019, 03:31 PM

I've always heard that flathead main caps can been changed like that IF you have enough to sort through.

flatjack9 · 01-11-2019, 05:46 PM

I've done it several times.

tubman · 01-12-2019, 07:45 AM

I have also done it. In 1959, I blew a center main cap; it must have been defective. I got 6 or 7 from the local jukyard, along with a bunch of plasi-gage from the auto parts store. The first one fit well, so I buttoned it back up (with the original main bearing shell!), and that engine (in a couple of different cars) served me and a couple of other guys well for several years.

Ol' Ron · 01-12-2019, 11:07 AM

Yes, done it several times. I have what looks like a good block with out any caps. So one of these days Ill go through my box of caps ( I don't throw any away) and find a set.

JSeery · 01-12-2019, 02:45 PM

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Guess it speaks well for Fords original machine work and consistence!

01-11-2019, 03:31 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: A new one on me I've always heard that flathead main caps can been changed like that IF you have enough to sort through.

01-11-2019, 05:46 PM	#3
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: A new one on me I've done it several times.

01-12-2019, 07:45 AM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: A new one on me I have also done it. In 1959, I blew a center main cap; it must have been defective. I got 6 or 7 from the local jukyard, along with a bunch of plasi-gage from the auto parts store. The first one fit well, so I buttoned it back up (with the original main bearing shell!), and that engine (in a couple of different cars) served me and a couple of other guys well for several years.

01-12-2019, 11:07 AM	#5
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: A new one on me Yes, done it several times. I have what looks like a good block with out any caps. So one of these days Ill go through my box of caps ( I don't throw any away) and find a set.

01-12-2019, 02:45 PM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: A new one on me Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Guess it speaks well for Fords original machine work and consistence!

01-11-2019, 03:24 PM	#1
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	A new one on me Had a guy bring in an 8BA engine he had bought. Was rebuilt but had been sitting for a while so he wanted me to go through it. When I took the crank out, it was ground 10 under on the mains. But surprise, the bearings were standard. Put the right bearings in and when I started to torque it down the crank locked right up. Turns out #1 main cap had been changed. Luckily I save all the caps from engines I scrap and on the 7th try found one that worked. Hopefully i won't find any more problems.