The Ford Barn

jfreddie · 09-04-2015, 01:07 AM

Is it possible for bugs or other critters to get into an A engine cylinder all the way from the back of the tailpipe?
The #4 exhaust valve was open for the last 20 years. Exhaust system was all intact.
Looking in the spark plug hole showed about a tablespoon of seeming organic stuff...black but not like mouse droppings, more like coffee grounds.
It was scooped out and flushed out. See the attached pic.
The exhaust valve is stuck open so I'm freeing that from inside the valve chamber by prying up on the valve after putting Marvel down the open valve.
Then I'll try to start it.
The amount of stuff in the cylinder is baffling.
The car has been in storage for 20 years, indoors, in Alaska...very dry climate.
We have honey bees, hornets, mosquitos.
Any thoughts?

J Franklin · 09-04-2015, 01:34 AM

Could have been worse.

Mike V. Florida · 09-04-2015, 02:58 AM

We have read of mice in the head.

Jacksonlll · 09-04-2015, 07:54 AM

What ever it is will blow out when you get it started.

Mitch//pa · 09-04-2015, 08:06 AM

send it out for DNA testing

CarlG · 09-04-2015, 10:48 AM

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Jim,
Is this the engine you have on the test stand right now?

jfreddie · 09-05-2015, 04:17 AM

Update...after a liberal dose of engine oil in the cyl and more cleanup, we could see both valves were working.

Even though there was minimal compression we decided to try a start.

It caught on the second pulse and ran evenly after about 15 seconds...amid a large blue cloud of oil smoke.

We'll stay cautiously hopeful and change oil soon.

Thanks for the comments...especially the DNA.

mshmodela · 09-05-2015, 07:26 AM

Sure, the tail pipe, or via the carb...

09-04-2015, 01:34 AM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Critters in the motor? Could have been worse.

09-04-2015, 02:58 AM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Critters in the motor? We have read of mice in the head. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-04-2015, 08:06 AM	#5
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Critters in the motor? send it out for DNA testing

09-04-2015, 10:48 AM	#6
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Critters in the motor? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jim, Is this the engine you have on the test stand right now? __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

09-05-2015, 04:17 AM	#7
jfreddie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: anchorage, alaska Posts: 117	Re: Critters in the motor? Update...after a liberal dose of engine oil in the cyl and more cleanup, we could see both valves were working. Even though there was minimal compression we decided to try a start. It caught on the second pulse and ran evenly after about 15 seconds...amid a large blue cloud of oil smoke. We'll stay cautiously hopeful and change oil soon. Thanks for the comments...especially the DNA.

09-04-2015, 07:54 AM	#4
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Critters in the motor? What ever it is will blow out when you get it started.

09-05-2015, 07:26 AM	#8
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Critters in the motor? Sure, the tail pipe, or via the carb... __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio