Flathead Partially Disassembled

[Ian1932]

By looking at these pictures what could you guys tell me about this engine? Im taking it to get torn down and see if if its usable. I think this has the Babbitt bearings. If they are in spec then i should be able to rebuild it, correct? My family is friends of a drag racing engine builder / race team. They have built several flatheads to stock condition so they know what they are doing. I just dont know to much and would like to not sound like a total ding dong...I have a ton of parts for flatheads. They saw these parts and said, "we will let you know what you need and you get bring it over, if you dont have it, you can buy it and send it to us". Im hoping this is good, as it seems all the engines i have have poured babbitt bearings...

[Terry,OH]

Appears to be 33-34 oil pan and intake appears to be 34. It may be good not to ship with the aluminum intake manifold, if you have an old cast iron intake laying around. Does the engine have a breather at the oil pan front RH side? if not then 33-34. If the oil pan is 33-34 and without the breather be careful with it, and the dip stick boss $$! If the heads are aluminum also be careful with them. for the same reasons.

[JSeery]

First off, what is your objective with rebuilding the engine? What vehicle would you be using it in?

[Ian1932]

Originally Posted by JSeery

First off, what is your objective with rebuilding the engine? What vehicle would you be using it in?

I just want it to be stock. I have all the other parts like pumps and carbs and filters and "stuff". Its going into a 32 roadster. They will let me come in a paint it when its ready. If all looks good they will hot tank it which i gues removes all the paint and a goo.

[Ian1932]

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

Appears to be 33-34 oil pan and intake appears to be 34. It may be good not to ship with the aluminum intake manifold, if you have an old cast iron intake laying around. Does the engine have a breather at the oil pan front RH side? if not then 33-34. If the oil pan is 33-34 and without the breather be careful with it, and the dip stick boss $$! If the heads are aluminum also be careful with them. for the same reasons.

I will look when i get home about the oil hole. Its going to a shop that is just a couple miles from my house. I have a bunch of alum. heads and an alum. oil pan. Not sure what i should use...I have some single throat intakes and single throat carbs. By what i hear i dont want to use the detroit lubricator carb. Ill post some pictures of the "stuff" i pulled that looked the best...

[Bored&Stroked]

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My guess is that it is a 34 - but could also be a later 33 engine. Something to ponder is the over all condition of the crankshaft, main bearings and babbitt.

If the babbitt is currently good (along with the crank journals), then you probably don't want to hot-tank it. They can pressure wash it instead and preserve the babbit bearings. Also, that intake is the one you'll want to use - and run a Stromberg 48 or 97 . . . MUCH better setup than the old single barrel Detroit Lubricator. Good luck with your project!

[Ian1932]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

My guess is that it is a 34 - but could also be a later 33 engine. Something to ponder is the over all condition of the crankshaft, main bearings and babbitt.

If the babbitt is currently good (along with the crank journals), then you probably don't want to hot-tank it. They can pressure wash it instead and preserve the babbit bearings. Also, that intake is the one you'll want to use - and run a Stromberg 48 or 97 . . . MUCH better setup than the old single barrel Detroit Lubricator. Good luck with your project!

Good to know! Thanks for your input!

[flatjack9]

I would have them pressure test the block.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

I would have them pressure test the block.

This is a good idea - better to spend some money on the front end and know that your engine block is good.

[David J]

Looks like the fuel pump stand hole in the intake is round .
That makes it a early 35 intake .

Pic of the fuel pump pushrod bushing area will clarify a lot .

38coupe had an old thread on block ID that covered id'ing these well .

[DavidG]

Definitely not a '32 block. The water pumps, cylinder heads, and the red toppped fuel pump appear to be the '32 versions. A photo of the side of that fuel pump would identify it as early/mid-year or very late.


It looks like the cylinder head studs have been removed and put back in finger tight given their height above the outer surface of the heads.

[RalphM]

“It looks like the cylinder head studs have been removed and put back in finger tight given their height above the outer surface of the heads.” Quote

Good catch David, I didn’t even notice that the first time I looked at it.