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08-05-2011, 05:35 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 19
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Some Flathead advise
Hello everyone,
I just purchased a EAB Flathead, its stock. It runs, but needs to be updated. I am not looking to do a total rebuild. Looking to update, clean and drive. From what I have read, some say to take the covers off, others say if its a runner then dont risk breaking the head bolts. I know it needs new water pumps, dizzy is good on it, I know the carb needs rebuilding, some headers, new plugs. When you people get a flathead, thats not destined for a total rebuild yet, what do you guys do? I did a bunch of searching on here, there are 20 pages of info, great info. Just trying to figure out a starting point, like a mini check list. Also where is a good place to get a Radiator for a 51 shoebox? Thanks Matthew oh and here is a pic of it. |
08-05-2011, 05:57 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Posts: 900
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Re: Some Flathead advise
At least take off the pan, intake and heads. Gots to see what is in there.
For a radiator, Mattsons and US Radiator are my choice.
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08-05-2011, 06:50 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: Some Flathead advise
What about rebuilding the radiator, verses new one? I was looking at the US Radiator High Efficiency core or the Ultima.
Whats the cost difference between rebuilt and new? Last one i had rebuilt was a 53 Chevy and it was $400 |
08-05-2011, 07:11 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 554
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Re: Some Flathead advise
i guess it depends on how much you want to spend too. you say it runs, if it runs well i wouldn't be trying to take it apart. i bought a 50 F3 that had been sitting for over 25 years and fired it up and it ran perfect. changed the oil and plugs and points and it is still a sweet engine. never did smoke, even after sitting all that time and after the first few minutes it ran. as to the radiator, it all depends too, if you have the money a new aluminum is great and gives added cooling capacity. if you want to save, try to find one locally (where are you?) and take it to a good radiator shop and have it tested and fixed if necessary. i had my 51 merc radiator done locally for $75.00 and it works great. good luck and keep us posted.
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05-18-2012, 07:52 PM | #5 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Lead. South Dakota
Posts: 963
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Re: Some Flathead advise
Quote:
Thanks
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IF IT CAN NOT BE FIXED WITH BLASTING WIRE, JB WELD OR DUCT TAPE ---IT CAN NOT BE FIXED Do not get me started on the stupidity of ethanol. I think one of the monitors is from Iowa and he will delete the thread. |
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08-05-2011, 09:23 PM | #6 |
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Location: Oshkosh, Wi
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Re: Some Flathead advise
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08-05-2011, 10:10 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,860
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Re: Some Flathead advise
A reasonable up grade would be to first do a compression test, if all the cylinders fall with in except able range, I 'd remove the heads and have them milled to give .040-.050" Piston to head clearance. I'd then replace the distributor with a modifies SBC unit there are several people here that can do this. These small modifications will increase performance and economy.
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08-05-2011, 10:12 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
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Re: Some Flathead advise
Compression test is free if you have a gauge already. Full engine gasket set is about $100. If you do the pan and water pumps it'll cost you about $10-25 in gaskets. So it's up to you how far you want to tear into it. It's not in a car so really now is the time to tear into it. Start soaking everything and you wont have as much issues with breaking bolts, if you will at all.
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08-06-2011, 08:29 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: nw SanAntonio, TX
Posts: 939
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Re: Some Flathead advise
As important as getting your flathead, is getting your flathead tools or have a friend who has the tools to lend to you. Have you got those?
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08-06-2011, 01:02 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: Some Flathead advise
Thanks everyone for the advise. I really appreciate it. I do have to get some of the tools. I was planning on starting on it at the end of the month, so in the mean time I will be getting things for it. Yeah i was looking at getting the gasket overhaul set for sure. I know these engines aren't cheap to fix up. So trying to find the best deals and quality, which doesn't always go together.
For a daily driver, which ignition system should I get? From what I have read this is crucial for the flatheads, but don't want to go overboard, there is wide spectrum on pricing and quality. Should I put a pcv in it? Thanks again |
08-06-2011, 01:30 PM | #11 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA
Posts: 4,148
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Re: Some Flathead advise
Quote:
Our chevrolet conversion distributor is $150 and comes with resitor (12 volt) distributor cap and rotor......works very good ... |
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08-06-2011, 02:15 PM | #12 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern California,coast
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Re: Some Flathead advise
Quote:
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08-06-2011, 08:54 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 158
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Re: Some Flathead advise
this guy on the hamb offers full felpro kits for 70 to your door. he no longer runs his website but can be reached on the hamb.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=8363 |
08-15-2011, 04:37 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: Some Flathead advise
So I opened it up this weekend. What do you guys think?
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08-06-2011, 01:51 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: nw SanAntonio, TX
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Re: Some Flathead advise
I got one of Bubba's dizzies with a Pertronix. Can't be beat, in my book. Yes, to your question about a PCV and it is easy to install on an 8BA by removing the downdraft tube. Been covered a lot on this site and the HAMB.
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08-15-2011, 05:00 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,173
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Re: Some Flathead advise
5 & 8 look like they may have been misfiring or not firing much. Normal patina in valley. You're gonna have a lotta fun.
Jack E/NJ |
08-15-2011, 05:08 PM | #17 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 554
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Re: Some Flathead advise
ok now you done it. my next step would be to take the whole thing down and have the block tanked and fluxed. check tolerances, probably a valve job and seats, new bearings, maybe need boring and rings, etc.. no sense going short on it now imo, i would look at doing some performance enhancing stuff like bigger bore, 4" crank, mild cam, full flow oil system, 2x4 intake or maybe a 4bbl, headers, assuming the block is good. the fun is just starting, stay strong my friend.
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08-15-2011, 06:18 PM | #18 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 19
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Re: Some Flathead advise
From what I saw, it has no major cracks.
I wasnt looking to do a full blown rebuild on it yet. Wanted to freshen it up as much as possible and run it. It turns very smoothly, the cylinder walls are in great shape. Am I asking to much from this from what you guys see? I know its just a couple pics. |
08-15-2011, 06:31 PM | #19 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 554
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Re: Some Flathead advise
check the cylinders to see how much of a ridge there is, that can be an indication of wear. if you just replace the rings and hone the cylinders and do the valves you might get by ok. i would wonder about the rod bearings and the mains too. might as well do them too. like ron said, mill the heads if you can. its kind of a crapshoot once you get into it though. the valley is a mess and several pistons are burned which could indicate some overheating issues. also check the scale in the heads and block, from the pics it looks heavy and that would make me want to tank it and really scrub it out good. the decks do look real good from the pics which is a good sign.
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08-15-2011, 07:05 PM | #20 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gardiner Me.
Posts: 4,200
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Re: Some Flathead advise
Looking in the rear big water holes, it looks like block is filled with crap. Should be backed out. Walt
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