What happened to my engine???

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

For you guys that cut your teeth on a flathead engine block this all probably does seem like a "breeze" but for me that has never done it and never wanted to it's a disaster! All I know about "swapping blocks" is when I used to play with the wooden blocks as a kid with letters on them I swapped around to spell different words.

My passion is driving (if you couldn't tell), not repairing.

P.S. My engine is original to my car so I won't be parting with it if there is any way to salvage it.

I understand, no one enjoys these breakdowns. I hope you can salvage the block. Just remember there is always a learning experience involved, no matter the situation. You will be a seasoned flathead veteran now. Master tourer and flathead mechanic. They go hand in hand. Keep us updated.

[Torchie]

Wishing you good luck with your rebuild. When I sold my vintage daily driver last summer I too went thru the withdrawls. Did you pull the hood off to pull the motor?
If so the real fun begins when you put it back on and try to line it up so it fits right.
As said before. Keep us all posted on your progress.

[Marv]

Henry if i was going to build a flathead engine i would not use NOS pistons or the same thing will probably happen again. I would buy new pistons made in the last few years. marv

[ken ct]

Originally Posted by Torchie

Wishing you good luck with your rebuild. When I sold my vintage daily driver last summer I too went thru the withdrawls. Did you pull the hood off to pull the motor?
If so the real fun begins when you put it back on and try to line it up so it fits right.
As said before. Keep us all posted on your progress.

Back in the day,we usta spray all around the edge of the hood mount with red primer to out line where the mount was or scribe a line around it. Can repaint black after and the color diff wont show later. ken ct.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Torchie

Did you pull the hood off to pull the motor?

Yes. Everything is disconnected from the engine. The generator, fan, starter, and carburetor are all off. All I have to do tomorrow is rent an engine hoist, figure out how to hook it to the engine, take the cap bolts off that hold the engine to the transmission, and lift it out as far as I know. If there's any more to it than that let me know.

[Old Henry]

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Originally Posted by Marv

Henry if i was going to build a flathead engine i would not use NOS pistons or the same thing will probably happen again. I would buy new pistons made in the last few years. marv

That does sound like a good idea. As far as I know my builder used brand new pistons when he rebuilt it but I will make sure he uses a new one when he replaces it.

[JonC]

Have you pulled the radiator, not sure if you have to in your car but I did on the 36 to gain room to lift the motor out.

[Lawrie]

Henry,Its a shame I,m in another country and not closer,you could use our 33 until yours is fixed,our 33 likes traveling around as well as your 46.
Make sure you pull all the other pistons and inspect them closely,
Lawrie

[B-O-B]

I'm sure you removed the motor mount bolts but you didn't mention it so I thought I would add this.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by JonC

Have you pulled the radiator, not sure if you have to in your car but I did on the 36 to gain room to lift the motor out.

pull the radiator, it will make things easier and you wont damage it

[Thaplumbr]

That stinks,wishing you the best to get her back on the road!!

[Shadetree]

Henry, I understand your hesitancy. I was 75 years old when I changed out the engine in my `51 F-1 with the help of my son and brother. Neither had ever pulled an engine. You can do it and you will feel better having done it...

[Old Henry]

Knowing nothing about removing an engine, I looked it up in my book just like I had to do to learn everything I know about my car before I discoverd the Ford Barn and have followed those instructions (which are for the Ford engine exchange program. So, I didn't remove the spark plug conduits and cables nor the oil filler pipe.) They seem to cover everything mentioned so far. Anything else?

[Old Henry]

To haul the engine to the mechanic, do I need to build a cradle for it to support it on the engine mount brackets and rear end or can I just lay it on its side on the oil pan and head?

[Rand]

Prof. Henry....I'm so sorry about your misfortune
I so...so know what you mean about old Henry being therapeutic
I just love to get out and tinker or drive my Merc to release some stress of the day
Good luck with your repairs
PS...I still havent had the opportunity to meet your (elder) son
Randy

[deuce5wndw]

Best thing I have found to transport an engine in the back of a pickup is an old tire without a wheel. Just set the engine in the middle of the tire. Keeps them steady without rolling around. Dale.

[Ol' Ron]

Well Henry you have two things going for you: All us guys and no water came out the oil pan. So she's fixable.

[Jay in Mass]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

Here's the story:

When I pulled into the garage I heard this clicking sound under the hood. Opened it up and it was coming from the back bottom of the engine on the right side. What do you think???

In my honest opinion...When you first heard the clicking sound coming from the engine, that was the time to shut it off and get an expert opinion before more damage occured. I hope that it is not badly damaged inside.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Jay in Mass

In my honest opinion...When you first heard the clicking sound coming from the engine, that was the time to shut it off and get an expert opinion before more damage occured. I hope that it is not badly damaged inside.

That was my first thought but then I remembered for a couple of years after I started the engine up after it sat for 31 years I had a very similar click in the bottom of the engine that never got worse and didn't seem to affect the operation of the engine any. When I finally had the engine rebuilt most of the bearings in the bottom were broken in half. So, that's why I don't run to the ER for open heart surgery (which is what removing the engine to check out a strange noise is to me) every time I hear a strange sound in the engine. All times but this one the sound eventually goes away and I never know what caused it.

[hardtimes]

Hey Henry,
Sorry to learn of your misery..engine wise! I know that you drive that ford more than any that I've heard of in this day/age! How many miles do you think were on your engine, prior to this break down?