The Ford Barn

brayrod · 05-28-2014, 08:15 PM

This cylinder has a lot of pitting around the intake valve over to the cylinder. I can put a new seat in it and deck the block slightly but I am worried about this causing detonation or being a problem.

BABAR40 · 05-28-2014, 08:20 PM

I don't think I would attempt the recovery of that block but there may be guys that could.

4tford · 05-28-2014, 08:31 PM

If that is the worst of it why not use it?? I have removed lots of pistons like that and then had seats replaced.

Ol' Ron · 05-28-2014, 08:41 PM

I'd give it a try. I've saved some pretty bad blocks. Jave it back cleaned and pressure tested. Then bore it to see how bad the cyls are and install over size valves. Might make a real strong engine/ I've also put in oversize valves in stock engines just to save them

jim1932 · 05-28-2014, 10:02 PM

I would but I don't know what I am doing....

brayrod · 05-29-2014, 07:21 AM

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This is the worst cylinder. I don't have them all cleaned up but upon initial inspection the others look ok. Someone had left the sparkplugs out of this engine and it must have sit with water in the top end for a long time, everything in the bottom looks good. It is a 59 block but must be a replacment block as it's only a 3 1/16" bore (+0.040" now). There is a rebuilder tag on the bell housing, 0.010"/0.010"/0.040". It had "A" heads, crank mounted fan and 3 bolt distributor. Thanks for the advise.

Zeke...PA · 05-29-2014, 08:02 AM

I had the same problem on my 8BA, bored it at 3 5/16" and relieved the block around the valve to piston area. Made a mask and used my router with an end mill. Runs great. Also polished the ports. Zeke

Tim Ayers · 05-29-2014, 08:04 AM

If too bad to save, sleeve that bore and go ahead with the rest. If it checks out otherwise, use it brother!

alchemy · 05-29-2014, 09:34 AM

After you blast the rust off you may be pleasantly surprised. If not, it's a great candidate for relieving. I like Zeke's template.

sidevalve8ba · 05-29-2014, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke...PA

I had the same problem on my 8BA, bored it at 3 5/16" and relieved the block around the valve to piston area. Made a mask and used my router with an end mill. Runs great. Also polished the ports. Zeke

I agree with you, Zeke.

oldsman41 · 05-29-2014, 07:04 PM

I would try to save it just to see if i could. Might make a strong runner

Russ/40 · 05-29-2014, 07:08 PM

Only as a last resort. There are others to be had.
I wouldn't throw it away, at least until a rainy day and had nothing else to do but play with it.
But I'm one of those guys that's been hoarding flatheads.

JM 35 Sedan · 05-29-2014, 07:17 PM

Any of these old FH blocks are worth trying to save. If you don't care to spend the $$'s trying to save it, at least store it in case someone else is willing to spend the $$'s some time in the future.

Fibber Mcgee · 05-30-2014, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

Any of these old FH blocks are worth trying to save. If you don't care to spend the $$'s trying to save it, at least store it in case someone else is willing to spend the $$'s some time in the future.

I agree completely. I thing we are getting to point where it is going be necessary to start saving what would have been boat anchors a few years ago. I have one with a small pan rail Crack that I don't need now but I'm saving because I know down the road It will be worth fixing. I only have 4 flatheads right now but I will take anything I can grab now because it will only get harder to find one in the future.

Vonn Ditch · 05-30-2014, 07:42 AM

shoot I'd fix that. Or, you can wait on the Chinese block coming to a Speedway near you.

Walt Dupont--Me. · 05-30-2014, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke...PA

I had the same problem on my 8BA, bored it at 3 5/16" and relieved the block around the valve to piston area. Made a mask and used my router with an end mill. Runs great. Also polished the ports. Zeke

Zeke, I like that template, what did you make it out of? Walt

Karl Wolf · 05-30-2014, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt Dupont--Me.

Zeke, I like that template, what did you make it out of? Walt

Looks like a pressure-test block off plate...
Which is what I would use in this circumstance.

Karl

brayrod · 03-07-2018, 09:24 PM

Just following up on my initial post, didn't realize it had been almost 4 years since I tore this engine down! I did decide to save this block and just got it back from the machine shop today. I ended up putting 1.550" valves in it and relieving the block and it all cleaned up pretty good.

tubman · 03-07-2018, 09:31 PM

If that's the same cylinder, you done good!

brayrod · 03-07-2018, 09:34 PM

I also had to tig weld with Ni rod some of the intake port so there would be enough material there to seal. Also relieved and drilled the lifter bores. This engine will be getting a 4.250" stroke SCAT crank and rods with 2.000" journals and Mahle forged 3 5/16" pistons. Also, a 3-71 blower on top with 2 Holley 94 carbs.

05-28-2014, 08:20 PM	#2
BABAR40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palm Harbor, Fl Posts: 137	Re: Would you try to save this? I don't think I would attempt the recovery of that block but there may be guys that could.

05-28-2014, 08:31 PM	#3
4tford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Regina Canada Posts: 1,335	Re: Would you try to save this? If that is the worst of it why not use it?? I have removed lots of pistons like that and then had seats replaced.

05-28-2014, 08:41 PM	#4
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,859	Re: Would you try to save this? I'd give it a try. I've saved some pretty bad blocks. Jave it back cleaned and pressure tested. Then bore it to see how bad the cyls are and install over size valves. Might make a real strong engine/ I've also put in oversize valves in stock engines just to save them

05-28-2014, 10:02 PM	#5
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,781	Re: Would you try to save this? I would but I don't know what I am doing.... __________________ Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW

05-29-2014, 07:21 AM	#6
brayrod Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 15	Re: Would you try to save this? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This is the worst cylinder. I don't have them all cleaned up but upon initial inspection the others look ok. Someone had left the sparkplugs out of this engine and it must have sit with water in the top end for a long time, everything in the bottom looks good. It is a 59 block but must be a replacment block as it's only a 3 1/16" bore (+0.040" now). There is a rebuilder tag on the bell housing, 0.010"/0.010"/0.040". It had "A" heads, crank mounted fan and 3 bolt distributor. Thanks for the advise.

05-29-2014, 08:04 AM	#8
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: Would you try to save this? If too bad to save, sleeve that bore and go ahead with the rest. If it checks out otherwise, use it brother!

05-29-2014, 09:34 AM	#9
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 647	Re: Would you try to save this? After you blast the rust off you may be pleasantly surprised. If not, it's a great candidate for relieving. I like Zeke's template.

05-29-2014, 07:04 PM	#11
oldsman41 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 157	Re: Would you try to save this? I would try to save it just to see if i could. Might make a strong runner

05-29-2014, 07:08 PM	#12
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Would you try to save this? Only as a last resort. There are others to be had. I wouldn't throw it away, at least until a rainy day and had nothing else to do but play with it. But I'm one of those guys that's been hoarding flatheads. Last edited by Russ/40; 05-29-2014 at 07:16 PM.

05-29-2014, 07:17 PM	#13
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Would you try to save this? Any of these old FH blocks are worth trying to save. If you don't care to spend the $$'s trying to save it, at least store it in case someone else is willing to spend the $$'s some time in the future. __________________ *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* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 05-29-2014 at 11:27 PM.

05-30-2014, 07:42 AM	#15
Vonn Ditch Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 74	Re: Would you try to save this? shoot I'd fix that. Or, you can wait on the Chinese block coming to a Speedway near you.

03-07-2018, 09:24 PM	#18
brayrod Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 15	Re: Would you try to save this? Just following up on my initial post, didn't realize it had been almost 4 years since I tore this engine down! I did decide to save this block and just got it back from the machine shop today. I ended up putting 1.550" valves in it and relieving the block and it all cleaned up pretty good.

03-07-2018, 09:31 PM	#19
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,312	Re: Would you try to save this? If that's the same cylinder, you done good!

03-07-2018, 09:34 PM	#20
brayrod Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 15	Re: Would you try to save this? I also had to tig weld with Ni rod some of the intake port so there would be enough material there to seal. Also relieved and drilled the lifter bores. This engine will be getting a 4.250" stroke SCAT crank and rods with 2.000" journals and Mahle forged 3 5/16" pistons. Also, a 3-71 blower on top with 2 Holley 94 carbs.