The Ford Barn

frenchy dehoux · 04-24-2012, 08:36 PM

I was just wondering are flathead engine still out there that were never rebuild since new is it possible that there maybe a few more. I think I may have one of them let me know what you think. This engine I took apart had the original main and rod bearing from what I can see because of the part # stamped on the back side of them. Also the lifters were the non adjustable and the cam gear is the fiber type. The oil in the pan and in the valve galley was so thick I had to use a putty knife to clean most of the block. The fact that 4 of the head studs between the cylinders had small cracks is telling me that if this engine had been rebuild in the past most of these issues would of been repaired. So maybe I am lucky that this is the first rebuild. Let me know what you think.

Thanks
Frenchy

Russ/40 · 04-24-2012, 09:37 PM

The sure telling sign would be the bore size at the upper ridge.

frenchy dehoux · 04-24-2012, 10:07 PM

The bore measure 3"180 and 3"185 on most of the top of the cylinders. The crankshaft on the main bearings journal measure 2" 500 and the rod journal measure 2"140. So is this a standard size.

Frenchy

Scott H · 04-24-2012, 10:55 PM

I just put new gaskets in my '40 engine and it still had standard bore pistons and a fiber cam gear in it.

model.A.keith · 04-25-2012, 01:22 AM

Just re-built an 8BA, it was untouched, with one exception it had a 4'' crank in it............!

.

model.A.keith · 04-25-2012, 01:25 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchy dehoux

. The fact that 4 of the head studs between the cylinders had small cracks is telling me that if this engine had been rebuild in the past most of these issues would of been repaired. So maybe I am lucky that this is the first rebuild. Let me know what you think.

Thanks
Frenchy

Mine was cracked where you describe, I was told (by those that know) it is a common place and to leave it alone........

.

oldbugger · 04-25-2012, 06:28 AM

Frenchy, I did a 53 merc a few yrs back, same thing it had the date stamped on the back of the mains and rod shells. Fun. Good luck

JM 35 Sedan · 04-25-2012, 07:42 AM

None of the things you describe tell me that that engine has never been touched. You didn't mention what type or year of manufacture this FH engine may be. The original bores of the 85 and 100 hp Flathead engines were 3-1/16" or 3-3/16" in diameter. Yours COULD POSSIBLY be a low mileage original 3-3/16" bore, 100 hp engine. JMO

35 coupe · 04-25-2012, 07:53 AM

I have an original 35 5 window, with std. on top of the pistons. I am the 3rd owner, bought it from mechanic who worked for ford dealer, that closed years ago. It was the owners personel car, 39000 miles

frenchy dehoux · 04-25-2012, 10:12 AM

Thank you everyone for your feedback on my post.

Frenchy

Mike51Merc · 04-25-2012, 10:15 AM

Just because it was never rebuilt doesn't make it better in my mind. I'd rather have one that was rebuilt a few times than one that was never rebuilt and run into the ground.

Russ/40 · 04-25-2012, 10:53 AM

Your measurements, roughly 3 3/16, would indicate a stock bore, or, an earlier 3 1/16 that was opened to 3 3/16.

Fibber Mcgee · 04-26-2012, 06:45 AM

The one I pulled from my 49 hasn't been rebuilt but it will be soon.

04-24-2012, 08:36 PM	#1
frenchy dehoux Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 519	First time Flathead rebuild ? I was just wondering are flathead engine still out there that were never rebuild since new is it possible that there maybe a few more. I think I may have one of them let me know what you think. This engine I took apart had the original main and rod bearing from what I can see because of the part # stamped on the back side of them. Also the lifters were the non adjustable and the cam gear is the fiber type. The oil in the pan and in the valve galley was so thick I had to use a putty knife to clean most of the block. The fact that 4 of the head studs between the cylinders had small cracks is telling me that if this engine had been rebuild in the past most of these issues would of been repaired. So maybe I am lucky that this is the first rebuild. Let me know what you think. Thanks Frenchy

04-24-2012, 09:37 PM	#2
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? The sure telling sign would be the bore size at the upper ridge.

04-24-2012, 10:07 PM	#3
frenchy dehoux Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 519	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? The bore measure 3"180 and 3"185 on most of the top of the cylinders. The crankshaft on the main bearings journal measure 2" 500 and the rod journal measure 2"140. So is this a standard size. Frenchy Last edited by frenchy dehoux; 04-24-2012 at 11:14 PM.

04-24-2012, 10:55 PM	#4
Scott H Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheaton, IL (west chicago) Posts: 558	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? I just put new gaskets in my '40 engine and it still had standard bore pistons and a fiber cam gear in it. __________________ 36 1/2 ton pickup on 38 car frame with 1940 v8 24 stud

04-25-2012, 01:22 AM	#5
model.A.keith Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Uk Posts: 25	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? Just re-built an 8BA, it was untouched, with one exception it had a 4'' crank in it............! .

04-25-2012, 06:28 AM	#7
oldbugger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Holland Mi Posts: 642	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? Frenchy, I did a 53 merc a few yrs back, same thing it had the date stamped on the back of the mains and rod shells. Fun. Good luck

04-25-2012, 07:42 AM	#8
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? None of the things you describe tell me that that engine has never been touched. You didn't mention what type or year of manufacture this FH engine may be. The original bores of the 85 and 100 hp Flathead engines were 3-1/16" or 3-3/16" in diameter. Yours COULD POSSIBLY be a low mileage original 3-3/16" bore, 100 hp engine. JMO __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

04-25-2012, 07:53 AM	#9
35 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 373	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? I have an original 35 5 window, with std. on top of the pistons. I am the 3rd owner, bought it from mechanic who worked for ford dealer, that closed years ago. It was the owners personel car, 39000 miles

04-25-2012, 10:12 AM	#10
frenchy dehoux Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 519	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? Thank you everyone for your feedback on my post. Frenchy

04-25-2012, 10:15 AM	#11
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? Just because it was never rebuilt doesn't make it better in my mind. I'd rather have one that was rebuilt a few times than one that was never rebuilt and run into the ground.

04-25-2012, 10:53 AM	#12
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? Your measurements, roughly 3 3/16, would indicate a stock bore, or, an earlier 3 1/16 that was opened to 3 3/16.

04-26-2012, 06:45 AM	#13
Fibber Mcgee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Callahan Fla Posts: 1,149	Re: First time Flathead rebuild ? The one I pulled from my 49 hasn't been rebuilt but it will be soon. __________________ Wanted, a car with a " Dynaflex Superflowing Unijet Turbovasculator which is Syncromeshed to the Multicoil Hydrotensioned Dual vacuum Dynomometer. "