The Ford Barn

GordonC · 04-06-2018, 10:10 AM

Guys,

For those of you that hung around to answer questions, offer suggestions, and generally encourage me to keep going on correcting all the problems in my flathead engine, this is the last post I guess as well as a very large thank you to all that helped! As I now have the engine up and running, and seeing as the original post got so long I figured I would do a separate one for this. My brother dropped in for a few days of R+R and between the 2 of us we finished the assembly and dropped the motor back in the chassis. Did up some temporary wiring, connected up the fuel and oil lines, refilled it with oil and cranked it without the coil wire in to build pressure. It fired on the very first crank! Ran pretty good too. We did 3 heat cycles and retorqued it each time. I only ran it until it was hot to the touch of your hand. Had 46 PSI of oil pressure. Anyway enough of my rambling here is a link to the Youtube video of the fire up. Took me some time to figure out how to put the video there!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nLjMcHhcaU

tubman · 04-06-2018, 10:39 AM

That's super good news. Gordon! The engine sounds great. I'll bet you're glad you persevered with this, and when you heard it start and run it made it all worth while. I have some idea what you're going through, as I just got a call from the machine shop saying the heads for my Corvette are ready. I had the engine rebuilt by a "pro" about 9 years ago, and it has burned a quart of oil every fill up since then. I finally got sick and tired of waiting for it to "seat in" and pulled them and took them in. My current machinist (who I trust) told me the seals were installed incorrectly and has installed new viton valve seals which should solve the problem.

It looks like you've got a nice project going there and I have to say, that after watching you through all this, I'm extremely happy for you.

Fordestes · 04-06-2018, 10:47 AM

Be sure to check your air fuel ratio , I learned the hard way how to not overcarburate a flathead, I leraned on the second engine.lol. sounds and looks like a winner for sure !

Bulligen · 04-06-2018, 10:58 AM

Its a great feeling, Good for you , Enjoy!!

GordonC · 04-06-2018, 11:00 AM

Thanks Tubman! It felt great when it fired off!

Fordestes - I am not actually going to run this carb. It was the newest/best one I had on hand. I have a 3 deuce setup for it but the carbs are rebuilt and not set up yet, so I didn't want to try to tune them at the same time as getting the motor to fire.

GOSFAST · 04-06-2018, 12:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Hi Gordon, thanks for coming back with the update! Many people including myself was wondering how it all went down! (I really never doubted you would get it done)

Lots of Flathead owners (who don't do engines for a living) don't fully understand what building one is all about! They figure "just buy the parts and bolt it together". This is OK when all your "stars line up", but becomes a real headache when they don't.

I kind of knew for sure what your outcome would be and am glad for you.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Now sit back and "reap" the rewards and "Good Luck" with everything! You've put enough effort in it, now it's time to enjoy it!

BUBBAS IGNITION · 04-06-2018, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

That's super good news. Gordon! The engine sounds great. I'll bet you're glad you persevered with this, and when you heard it start and run it made it all worth while. I have some idea what you're going through, as I just got a call from the machine shop saying the heads for my Corvette are ready. I had the engine rebuilt by a "pro" about 9 years ago, and it has burned a quart of oil every fill up since then. I finally got sick and tired of waiting for it to "seat in" and pulled them and took them in. My current machinist (who I trust) told me the seals were installed incorrectly and has installed new viton valve seals which should solve the problem.

It looks like you've got a nice project going there and I have to say, that after watching you through all this, I'm extremely happy for you.

Oil consumption:

A gasoline engine typically burns 1/1100 of a drop on every power stroke! (SAE spec size drop) xx x xx .... Thats approx 1 qt every 1000 miles BUT if a engine leaks one drop every 50 feet it will leak 1 qt in 300 miles ....
So a leak is worse than a burn.....
AND a us qt is 36,500 drops ........
I just knew you couldnt live with out this knowledge ........

JSeery · 04-06-2018, 01:15 PM

Good info Bubba!

Mart · 04-06-2018, 03:03 PM

Really glad you solved the issues and now have the motor running sweet.

Mart.

tubman · 04-06-2018, 04:32 PM

"Bubba" - I wish it had been a leak; I've already had the pan off to change out the Hi-Volume/Hi-Capacity "racing" pump the "pro" put in, and in the process, replaced the pan gasket, so I have NO leaks. I used one of those new one-piece Fel-Pro gaskets and it was real slick. It won't pass NCRS judging, but that don't bother me. In the process, I got four of them plastic studs with the springy dealies that make replacing the pan a snap. AND, the are 5/16", so they fit a flathead too!

Gordon, sorry for hijacking your thread, but I do have a question. Did you end up using Ford or Chevrolet valves. I know there was a length problem.

GordonC · 04-06-2018, 05:51 PM

I used the chevy valves with springs,shims, and guides from Gary. Put the lock on the top groove and used 5 shims per valve. It all came together and is working fine. Now working on figuring out my exhaust and cooling...

Fordestes · 04-06-2018, 06:25 PM

Gordon c. Makes sense, that would be what I would do to get things sorted out , I just hated to see someone make a costly mistake, I was a young lad and always thought bigger was better , my pa tried to tell me different but at the time I figured shucks what does he know? Well he was right , it cost me a new crank and re-bore, so I just try to pass that along so someone don't forget and say well it runs ok like it is .lol
I wish I had my "A" Body like you have . I think you done well from the sound of that flattie and what you had to do to get everything right.
Lots of luck.
fordestes

GordonC · 04-25-2018, 09:03 PM

Ok guys here is the official last post on my flattie and project car. I am posting a link to my first ride today! Cant wipe the smile off my face! Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwT_yMeg2OM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mX0TGeTo0Y

tubman · 04-25-2018, 09:16 PM

Congratulations Gordon, that looks just great. It was all worth it, wasn't it.

JSeery · 04-25-2018, 09:21 PM

Just like I like them, bone stock!

GordonC · 04-25-2018, 10:04 PM

Thanks guys! Yes it was worth it!

Vintage Copper 47 · 04-25-2018, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Just like I like them, bone stock!

How an old hot rod should be.. I like the four barrel carb.. (I know you are gonna use 3 pots)..

Art Newland · 04-25-2018, 11:16 PM

Congrats! Sounded great when you got on it!

Mart · 04-26-2018, 01:45 AM

I'm liking it. Appreciative crowd, too.

Mart.

04-06-2018, 10:10 AM	#1
GordonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 201	Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Guys, For those of you that hung around to answer questions, offer suggestions, and generally encourage me to keep going on correcting all the problems in my flathead engine, this is the last post I guess as well as a very large thank you to all that helped! As I now have the engine up and running, and seeing as the original post got so long I figured I would do a separate one for this. My brother dropped in for a few days of R+R and between the 2 of us we finished the assembly and dropped the motor back in the chassis. Did up some temporary wiring, connected up the fuel and oil lines, refilled it with oil and cranked it without the coil wire in to build pressure. It fired on the very first crank! Ran pretty good too. We did 3 heat cycles and retorqued it each time. I only ran it until it was hot to the touch of your hand. Had 46 PSI of oil pressure. Anyway enough of my rambling here is a link to the Youtube video of the fire up. Took me some time to figure out how to put the video there!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nLjMcHhcaU Last edited by GordonC; 04-06-2018 at 10:34 AM.

04-06-2018, 10:39 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,324	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! That's super good news. Gordon! The engine sounds great. I'll bet you're glad you persevered with this, and when you heard it start and run it made it all worth while. I have some idea what you're going through, as I just got a call from the machine shop saying the heads for my Corvette are ready. I had the engine rebuilt by a "pro" about 9 years ago, and it has burned a quart of oil every fill up since then. I finally got sick and tired of waiting for it to "seat in" and pulled them and took them in. My current machinist (who I trust) told me the seals were installed incorrectly and has installed new viton valve seals which should solve the problem. It looks like you've got a nice project going there and I have to say, that after watching you through all this, I'm extremely happy for you.

04-06-2018, 10:47 AM	#3
Fordestes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 886	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Be sure to check your air fuel ratio , I learned the hard way how to not overcarburate a flathead, I leraned on the second engine.lol. sounds and looks like a winner for sure !

04-06-2018, 10:58 AM	#4
Bulligen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Elgin Illinois Posts: 736	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Its a great feeling, Good for you , Enjoy!!

04-06-2018, 11:00 AM	#5
GordonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 201	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Thanks Tubman! It felt great when it fired off! Fordestes - I am not actually going to run this carb. It was the newest/best one I had on hand. I have a 3 deuce setup for it but the carbs are rebuilt and not set up yet, so I didn't want to try to tune them at the same time as getting the motor to fire.

04-06-2018, 12:08 PM	#6
GOSFAST Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,052	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Hi Gordon, thanks for coming back with the update! Many people including myself was wondering how it all went down! (I really never doubted you would get it done) Lots of Flathead owners (who don't do engines for a living) don't fully understand what building one is all about! They figure "just buy the parts and bolt it together". This is OK when all your "stars line up", but becomes a real headache when they don't. I kind of knew for sure what your outcome would be and am glad for you. Thanks, Gary in N.Y. P.S. Now sit back and "reap" the rewards and "Good Luck" with everything! You've put enough effort in it, now it's time to enjoy it! __________________ http://www.stromberg-bulletin.com/me...berg-equipped/ Last edited by GOSFAST; 04-06-2018 at 06:12 PM. Reason: C

04-06-2018, 01:15 PM	#8
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Good info Bubba!

04-06-2018, 03:03 PM	#9
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,757	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Really glad you solved the issues and now have the motor running sweet. Mart.

04-06-2018, 04:32 PM	#10
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,324	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! "Bubba" - I wish it had been a leak; I've already had the pan off to change out the Hi-Volume/Hi-Capacity "racing" pump the "pro" put in, and in the process, replaced the pan gasket, so I have NO leaks. I used one of those new one-piece Fel-Pro gaskets and it was real slick. It won't pass NCRS judging, but that don't bother me. In the process, I got four of them plastic studs with the springy dealies that make replacing the pan a snap. AND, the are 5/16", so they fit a flathead too! Gordon, sorry for hijacking your thread, but I do have a question. Did you end up using Ford or Chevrolet valves. I know there was a length problem.

04-06-2018, 05:51 PM	#11
GordonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 201	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! I used the chevy valves with springs,shims, and guides from Gary. Put the lock on the top groove and used 5 shims per valve. It all came together and is working fine. Now working on figuring out my exhaust and cooling...

04-06-2018, 06:25 PM	#12
Fordestes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 886	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Gordon c. Makes sense, that would be what I would do to get things sorted out , I just hated to see someone make a costly mistake, I was a young lad and always thought bigger was better , my pa tried to tell me different but at the time I figured shucks what does he know? Well he was right , it cost me a new crank and re-bore, so I just try to pass that along so someone don't forget and say well it runs ok like it is .lol I wish I had my "A" Body like you have . I think you done well from the sound of that flattie and what you had to do to get everything right. Lots of luck. fordestes

04-25-2018, 09:03 PM	#13
GordonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 201	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Ok guys here is the official last post on my flattie and project car. I am posting a link to my first ride today! Cant wipe the smile off my face! Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwT_yMeg2OM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mX0TGeTo0Y

04-25-2018, 09:16 PM	#14
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,324	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Congratulations Gordon, that looks just great. It was all worth it, wasn't it.

04-25-2018, 09:21 PM	#15
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Just like I like them, bone stock!

04-25-2018, 10:04 PM	#16
GordonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 201	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Thanks guys! Yes it was worth it!

04-25-2018, 11:16 PM	#18
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! Congrats! Sounded great when you got on it! __________________ "whatever works!"

04-26-2018, 01:45 AM	#19
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,757	Re: Rebuilt Flathead Problems - Resolved!! I'm liking it. Appreciative crowd, too. Mart.