The Ford Barn

GB SISSON · 03-25-2018, 12:10 AM

I also am a fan of home shop overhauls. Looks like you have everything covered and am glad to see a neighbor just across the sound going at it the way you are. I would be interested in that crash box 4 speed if it needs a home. Lots of V8 and truck stuff over here for trades if you end up needing parts.

Art Newland · 03-25-2018, 03:17 PM

Ron, when I bought the truck not only did the accelerator pump not work, but the linkage to it was missing. Idle mixtures were really rich, I'm sure to help compensate for the lack of the pump. One of the first things I did was to rebuild the Holley 94. Double clutching without an accelerator pump is nearly impossible! It has #51 jets, I figure once I get it running better and can dial in the jets if need be.

After I got the carb working, got all the proper pulleys and belts installed, pulled the rats nest of wiring out and made a simple harness with enough to start and run the engine, charge the battery, and run the brake lights I got to go for a drive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZZny4uzBs8

Art Newland · 03-25-2018, 03:42 PM

GB SISSON, we are probably only about 20 miles away from one another as the crow flys! This old 4 speed is now officially yours!

The only thing I'll miss is the whine... classic old truck sound. I think the tranny is in good shape, the shifter seems sloppy though. The drive-line is yours too if you want it, won't work with the lite duty three-speed. I've got a NOS slip-joint and guess I'll have to have a drive-line made. About the only things I'm looking for at this time is a transmission cover (mine's all rusted out!) and a 6 volt generator so I can convert it back to 6 volt positive ground. Regardless, you can have the transmission.

I'm of the mind set now to do as little "evasive" work to these old engines as possible and still get a good runner. My original intention with my 30 coupe was to pick up an engine in good enough shape to get me by while I had the other professionally rebuilt. I went through the 2nd engine, cleaned it up good, new rings and hone job, and lapped valves as needed. I scored a nice Brummfield 5.9 head and she's running great. With my confidence built up I've looked over my original engine and other that the cam being pretty worn I think it is pretty salvageable the way it is.

I'm really looking forward to getting the F1 back on the road for the summer.

Art Newland · 03-27-2018, 02:31 PM

The crank is out and things look pretty good. Main bearings are -.020 and clearance is .0015-.0020, if the thrust bearing wasn't so worn, they could probably be re-used. Timing gears look very good too, things are looking promising. Checked the valve lash too as a go no-go with min and max feeler gauges, all are within spec/range but I'll go dial them in later. Found blue paint under the flaking red.

Lots of cleanup to do then I'll look at the valves.

Art Newland · 04-03-2018, 10:08 AM

Things have come to a screeching halt.

I've found two cracks from exhaust to cylinders... drat. Strange that I wasn't experiencing any water in the crankcase, that I could detect anyway.

tubman · 04-03-2018, 10:32 AM

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I'm not surprised that you had no leaks. Years ago, I had an engine that didn't leak but needed rings, I pulled it apart, honed the cylinders, and put in a $17.95 set of rings from Sears. When I was cleaning up the block surface I noticed that I had 7 (seven!) of those cracks. I figured since it didn't leak before, it was OK, so I shrugged my shoulders and bolted it back together. It took a couple of bottles of "Barr's Leaks", but it ran fine and didn't leak to any extant. Unfortunately, what served as an adequate repair in 1961 wouldn't pass muster now (although, I might just try it with only two cracks, while I was looking for another engine).

Art Newland · 04-03-2018, 10:53 AM

I guess it's a "what do I have to lose" scenario.

tubman · 04-03-2018, 11:14 AM

I'm with you, my friend. Unless you have a Merc crank, all of the internal parts are cheap and easy to find if it blows up. It'll probably go another 40,000 miles with a "home shop overhaul", though. Also, the "Irontite" thread seems to show that there are multiple miracle block sealers out there.

Art Newland · 04-07-2018, 08:27 PM

I've been putting in a few hours a day on my "red-neck" rebuild. I have all the valves on the LHS loose. I've released the keepers and the guides are still in place. I've done a little "lapping" on them to see if it will even be feasible to clean them up without machine work. Most are very good, one is a little rough and one is down-right nasty.

I have been in contact with a local machinist that speaks "flathead" and will have him take a look at the cracks and see what he thinks.

Tinker · 04-07-2018, 08:37 PM

Looking good. I like your style.

My 36 was popping and couldn't even drive it on the trailer when I bought it, some timing issues too. 95 across the board but one cyc at 30 (surprising it was that much). Heads off and found a burnt valve. A kind gentlemen here sold me a very nice used valve assembly for 7$. Lapped. Been driving it for 4yrs now, solid compression. Not a daily driver mind you, but I drive it as much as I can.

Enjoying your progress!

Art Newland · 04-07-2018, 08:57 PM

Anyway you look at it, it will be better than it was! I figure at the least it's a great learning experience. A Model A buddy of mine tells me he has a flathead seat grinding setup, I might need to go get it and test it for him. 8^)

Art Newland · 04-07-2018, 08:58 PM

BTW, there are seats in every hole so it must be a older engine. I suppose it's possible it's the original but have no idea really

Art Newland · 04-12-2018, 05:32 PM

I bought this el-cheapo valve spring compressor from Amazon, works well on this engine.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Art Newland · 04-25-2018, 11:31 PM

Plans have changed a bit.

Found a nice engine locally, bought the stand and all. Looks like it has all necessary parts to go in my F1 except for the oil pan. Even the clutch looks correct but I need to pull it out and take a look.

Ggmac · 04-26-2018, 05:27 AM

Nice score . Good to see some are still out there

JSeery · 04-26-2018, 08:03 AM

Nice find!

Art Newland · 04-26-2018, 08:43 AM

I'm enjoying working on these engines and now I'll have the test stand to run them on. The fellow I bought it from has quite a collection of extremely nice autos, and now he is thinning the herd. He has owned it for 6 years and has only fired it up a time or two for people to hear it run. The gas is old but it still started up easily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItCXe0zqwgc

tubman · 04-26-2018, 11:11 AM

If you do more than one or two engines in your life, you'll really appreciate having a test stand. I built mine about 4 years ago to test run an early hemi I found, and since have had two flatheads on it. Next up is my '51 Olds Rocket. I built mine with the mounting part of one of those cheap 3-wheeled engine stands at the rear so I can easily mount most types of engines.

Art Newland · 04-26-2018, 11:26 AM

Built a simple storage stand for my Model A engine, ended up running it on it before I installed it in the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UABtaPsSZ0Q

Art Newland · 04-26-2018, 03:24 PM

GB SISSON, We'll have to hook up someday. Crashbox is out!

03-25-2018, 12:10 AM	#41
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,911	Re: 8RT pulling the heads I also am a fan of home shop overhauls. Looks like you have everything covered and am glad to see a neighbor just across the sound going at it the way you are. I would be interested in that crash box 4 speed if it needs a home. Lots of V8 and truck stuff over here for trades if you end up needing parts. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

03-25-2018, 03:17 PM	#42
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Ron, when I bought the truck not only did the accelerator pump not work, but the linkage to it was missing. Idle mixtures were really rich, I'm sure to help compensate for the lack of the pump. One of the first things I did was to rebuild the Holley 94. Double clutching without an accelerator pump is nearly impossible! It has #51 jets, I figure once I get it running better and can dial in the jets if need be. After I got the carb working, got all the proper pulleys and belts installed, pulled the rats nest of wiring out and made a simple harness with enough to start and run the engine, charge the battery, and run the brake lights I got to go for a drive! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZZny4uzBs8 __________________ "whatever works!"

03-25-2018, 03:42 PM	#43
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads GB SISSON, we are probably only about 20 miles away from one another as the crow flys! This old 4 speed is now officially yours! The only thing I'll miss is the whine... classic old truck sound. I think the tranny is in good shape, the shifter seems sloppy though. The drive-line is yours too if you want it, won't work with the lite duty three-speed. I've got a NOS slip-joint and guess I'll have to have a drive-line made. About the only things I'm looking for at this time is a transmission cover (mine's all rusted out!) and a 6 volt generator so I can convert it back to 6 volt positive ground. Regardless, you can have the transmission. I'm of the mind set now to do as little "evasive" work to these old engines as possible and still get a good runner. My original intention with my 30 coupe was to pick up an engine in good enough shape to get me by while I had the other professionally rebuilt. I went through the 2nd engine, cleaned it up good, new rings and hone job, and lapped valves as needed. I scored a nice Brummfield 5.9 head and she's running great. With my confidence built up I've looked over my original engine and other that the cam being pretty worn I think it is pretty salvageable the way it is. I'm really looking forward to getting the F1 back on the road for the summer. __________________ "whatever works!"

04-03-2018, 10:08 AM	#45
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Things have come to a screeching halt. I've found two cracks from exhaust to cylinders... drat. Strange that I wasn't experiencing any water in the crankcase, that I could detect anyway. __________________ "whatever works!"

04-03-2018, 10:32 AM	#46
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,299	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm not surprised that you had no leaks. Years ago, I had an engine that didn't leak but needed rings, I pulled it apart, honed the cylinders, and put in a $17.95 set of rings from Sears. When I was cleaning up the block surface I noticed that I had 7 (seven!) of those cracks. I figured since it didn't leak before, it was OK, so I shrugged my shoulders and bolted it back together. It took a couple of bottles of "Barr's Leaks", but it ran fine and didn't leak to any extant. Unfortunately, what served as an adequate repair in 1961 wouldn't pass muster now (although, I might just try it with only two cracks, while I was looking for another engine).

04-03-2018, 10:53 AM	#47
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads I guess it's a "what do I have to lose" scenario. __________________ "whatever works!"

04-03-2018, 11:14 AM	#48
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,299	Re: 8RT pulling the heads I'm with you, my friend. Unless you have a Merc crank, all of the internal parts are cheap and easy to find if it blows up. It'll probably go another 40,000 miles with a "home shop overhaul", though. Also, the "Irontite" thread seems to show that there are multiple miracle block sealers out there.

04-07-2018, 08:37 PM	#50
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Looking good. I like your style. My 36 was popping and couldn't even drive it on the trailer when I bought it, some timing issues too. 95 across the board but one cyc at 30 (surprising it was that much). Heads off and found a burnt valve. A kind gentlemen here sold me a very nice used valve assembly for 7$. Lapped. Been driving it for 4yrs now, solid compression. Not a daily driver mind you, but I drive it as much as I can. Enjoying your progress! Last edited by Tinker; 04-07-2018 at 08:43 PM.

04-07-2018, 08:57 PM	#51
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Anyway you look at it, it will be better than it was! I figure at the least it's a great learning experience. A Model A buddy of mine tells me he has a flathead seat grinding setup, I might need to go get it and test it for him. 8^) __________________ "whatever works!"

04-07-2018, 08:58 PM	#52
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads BTW, there are seats in every hole so it must be a older engine. I suppose it's possible it's the original but have no idea really __________________ "whatever works!"

04-26-2018, 05:27 AM	#55
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,087	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Nice score . Good to see some are still out there

04-26-2018, 08:03 AM	#56
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Nice find!

04-26-2018, 08:43 AM	#57
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads I'm enjoying working on these engines and now I'll have the test stand to run them on. The fellow I bought it from has quite a collection of extremely nice autos, and now he is thinning the herd. He has owned it for 6 years and has only fired it up a time or two for people to hear it run. The gas is old but it still started up easily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItCXe0zqwgc __________________ "whatever works!"

04-26-2018, 11:11 AM	#58
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,299	Re: 8RT pulling the heads If you do more than one or two engines in your life, you'll really appreciate having a test stand. I built mine about 4 years ago to test run an early hemi I found, and since have had two flatheads on it. Next up is my '51 Olds Rocket. I built mine with the mounting part of one of those cheap 3-wheeled engine stands at the rear so I can easily mount most types of engines.

04-26-2018, 11:26 AM	#59
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: 8RT pulling the heads Built a simple storage stand for my Model A engine, ended up running it on it before I installed it in the car. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UABtaPsSZ0Q __________________ "whatever works!" Last edited by Art Newland; 04-26-2018 at 03:27 PM.

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