The Ford Barn

2001GTTT · 03-19-2019, 01:43 PM

Hi all, I’m trying to get the flathead in my 52 f2 to turn over. I’m going clockwise with a breaker bar on the crank and the bolt is turning, but the pulley isn’t. Shouldn’t my pulley and accessories be spinning too or am I wrong??

Thank you.

51 MERC-CT · 03-19-2019, 01:58 PM

If only the bolt is turning it could be loose.
But it may be a good idea to remove the bolt and inspect the threads to see if there is any indication of 'stripping'
And also make sure it's not in gear.

1931 flamingo · 03-19-2019, 02:07 PM

Might turn over easier if you remove the spark plugs................
Paul in CT

2001GTTT · 03-19-2019, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

If only the bolt is turning it could be loose.
But it may be a good idea to remove the bolt and inspect the threads to see if there is any indication of 'stripping'
And also make sure it's not in gear.

It turns with pretty good resistance but it just keeps turning. It’s out of gear also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Might turn over easier if you remove the spark plugs................
Paul in CT

They are out thank you sir

flatford8 · 03-19-2019, 03:10 PM

Is there a reason to not use the starter?..... Mark

JSeery · 03-19-2019, 03:18 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If the bolt keeps turning, something is stripped somewhere.

Sod Buster · 03-19-2019, 05:05 PM

Slightly off topic, but my 47 has the hole through the grill and the angled cut slots in the bolt head for a hand crank, could these cars be started with a hand crank or was that just for turning the motor over while not running.

rotorwrench · 03-19-2019, 05:35 PM

Ford kept the capability to hand crank a lot longer than they needed to. If the bolt has the starting dogs on there then it can be hand cranked. I don't think my arm could take a kick back even if pulling so I wouldn't try it. The old Model A cars aren't too bad since they can be manually retarded but the V8 can sure give you a Ford fracture if the timing is too far advanced.

fourfords · 03-19-2019, 07:17 PM

Remember to hold the crank with your thumb side by side with your fingers. If the motor happens to Kick back, It won't take your thumb. This is important.

2001GTTT · 03-19-2019, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatford8

Is there a reason to not use the starter?..... Mark

Yes, just wanting to see if I can get the motor to turn before I try to fire it up, this is a project that I just got not long ago, it’s in bad shape but I’m trying to save it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

If the bolt keeps turning, something is stripped somewhere.

That’s what I’m suspecting, it can never be easy

tubman · 03-19-2019, 09:05 PM

Twenty years ago, I had a 1948 Seagrave open cab pumper with the Pierce-Arrow sourced 468 ci flathead V12. That engine had dual carbs (one for each bank) and two 12 cylinder dual coil distributors. It would idle down to 350 RPM and just sit there, purring away. It also had a hand crank, and was surprisingly easy to start that way. We won a lot of beers betting that we could hand start it. (It had to be warmed up for it to work every time.)

Tinker · 03-19-2019, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Ford kept the capability to hand crank a lot longer than they needed to. If the bolt has the starting dogs on there then it can be hand cranked. I don't think my arm could take a kick back even if pulling so I wouldn't try it. The old Model A cars aren't too bad since they can be manually retarded but the V8 can sure give you a Ford fracture if the timing is too far advanced.

Way to long, but they where the every man builder. Probably easier to pull it with another vehicle or push it down hill. I have the correct tool set for my 38 to hand crank it. Never tried. My, sold, 28 model A was started a few times from crank for fun.

If the crank isn't turning when you pry it then you have an issue of sort. If the belt and gen doesn't, maybe the belt is loose.

Low compression makes it easier.

flatheadmurre · 03-20-2019, 03:50 AM

Trying to get a stuck motor turning with a breakerbar you first crush the washer if later type then deform the nut/pulley and last strip the threads.
See the completely crushed washers a lot on cores coming in for rebuild.
A breakerbar is a lot more force then a crank...
And when you get the crank moving and the valves are stuck in the guides...next to crush is the lifter...no easy shortcuts...

2001GTTT · 03-20-2019, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatheadmurre

Trying to get a stuck motor turning with a breakerbar you first crush the washer if later type then deform the nut/pulley and last strip the threads.
See the completely crushed washers a lot on cores coming in for rebuild.
A breakerbar is a lot more force then a crank...
And when you get the crank moving and the valves are stuck in the guides...next to crush is the lifter...no easy shortcuts...

The bolt turns but not the pulley. Gonna try to dig in a little more today if I get time.

ponymare · 03-20-2019, 06:23 AM

If you're lucky you only stripped the bolt, and not the threads in the crank.

JSeery · 03-20-2019, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2001GTTT

The bolt turns but not the pulley. Gonna try to dig in a little more today if I get time.

Back the bolt out and look it over first.

rotorwrench · 03-20-2019, 09:49 AM

If the threads get messed up in the crank snout, it would still be good for an early short snout application with a little machine work.

tubman · 03-20-2019, 10:58 AM

BIG helicoil?

2001GTTT · 03-20-2019, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponymare

If you're lucky you only stripped the bolt, and not the threads in the crank.

We shall see

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Back the bolt out and look it over first.

That’s my next step

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

If the threads get messed up in the crank snout, it would still be good for an early short snout application with a little machine work.

Trying to get this thing to atleast crank the easy way lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

BIG helicoil?

Going to see

JSeery · 03-20-2019, 04:14 PM

"Trying to get this thing to at least crank the easy way lol"

Maybe, maybe not!!

03-19-2019, 01:43 PM	#1
2001GTTT Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Ligonier, PA Posts: 57	Question about hand cranking flathead Hi all, I’m trying to get the flathead in my 52 f2 to turn over. I’m going clockwise with a breaker bar on the crank and the bolt is turning, but the pulley isn’t. Shouldn’t my pulley and accessories be spinning too or am I wrong?? Thank you.

03-19-2019, 01:58 PM	#2
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead If only the bolt is turning it could be loose. But it may be a good idea to remove the bolt and inspect the threads to see if there is any indication of 'stripping' And also make sure it's not in gear. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

03-19-2019, 02:07 PM	#3
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Might turn over easier if you remove the spark plugs................ Paul in CT

03-19-2019, 03:10 PM	#5
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Is there a reason to not use the starter?..... Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

03-19-2019, 03:18 PM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the bolt keeps turning, something is stripped somewhere.

03-19-2019, 05:05 PM	#7
Sod Buster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 134	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Slightly off topic, but my 47 has the hole through the grill and the angled cut slots in the bolt head for a hand crank, could these cars be started with a hand crank or was that just for turning the motor over while not running.

03-19-2019, 05:35 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Ford kept the capability to hand crank a lot longer than they needed to. If the bolt has the starting dogs on there then it can be hand cranked. I don't think my arm could take a kick back even if pulling so I wouldn't try it. The old Model A cars aren't too bad since they can be manually retarded but the V8 can sure give you a Ford fracture if the timing is too far advanced.

03-19-2019, 07:17 PM	#9
fourfords Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lake Elsinore, CA. Posts: 413	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Remember to hold the crank with your thumb side by side with your fingers. If the motor happens to Kick back, It won't take your thumb. This is important.

03-19-2019, 09:05 PM	#11
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Twenty years ago, I had a 1948 Seagrave open cab pumper with the Pierce-Arrow sourced 468 ci flathead V12. That engine had dual carbs (one for each bank) and two 12 cylinder dual coil distributors. It would idle down to 350 RPM and just sit there, purring away. It also had a hand crank, and was surprisingly easy to start that way. We won a lot of beers betting that we could hand start it. (It had to be warmed up for it to work every time.) Last edited by tubman; 03-20-2019 at 08:01 AM.

03-20-2019, 03:50 AM	#13
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead Trying to get a stuck motor turning with a breakerbar you first crush the washer if later type then deform the nut/pulley and last strip the threads. See the completely crushed washers a lot on cores coming in for rebuild. A breakerbar is a lot more force then a crank... And when you get the crank moving and the valves are stuck in the guides...next to crush is the lifter...no easy shortcuts...

03-20-2019, 06:23 AM	#15
ponymare Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 160	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead If you're lucky you only stripped the bolt, and not the threads in the crank.

03-20-2019, 09:49 AM	#17
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead If the threads get messed up in the crank snout, it would still be good for an early short snout application with a little machine work.

03-20-2019, 10:58 AM	#18
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead BIG helicoil?

03-20-2019, 04:14 PM	#20
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Question about hand cranking flathead "Trying to get this thing to at least crank the easy way lol" Maybe, maybe not!!