The Ford Barn

Autodave · 01-30-2014, 01:44 PM

I picked up my first flathead, a running 1940 221. It has new water pumps, a PowerGen alt., new carb, and a MSD electronic dist. I would like to just clean it up (gasket set, paint, etc.) and run it as is.
As for the stock heads, what is the best way to freshen them up? Should I get them bead blasted?
Also the intake is aluminum, can this also be bead blasted and left raw aluminum?
Thanks for any advice.

john mullen · 01-30-2014, 02:12 PM

bead blast or paint striper and wire brush

Ol' Ron · 01-30-2014, 06:40 PM

Your biggest improvement would be to replace the distributor with a stock l11a

jimTN · 01-31-2014, 08:46 AM

Chances are if you pull the pan and intake to put new gaskets, you will find an inch of muck which needs to be cleaned out. Will leave it to others to recommend a suitable method to do that.

Autodave · 01-31-2014, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the responses.

4tford · 01-31-2014, 10:23 AM

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Good question would be how far are you willing to take this apart?? If you pull heads and intake and then start wire brush etc. you will be getting a lot of contamination into the engine. If you pull pan and intake and find they both need to be cleaned I would take engine apart and clean and check everything. Do what is then necessary and re-assemble properly. Much easier now than after it is installed. If pan and lifter valley are "reasonably clean, then wash just the outside down carefully by hand using Acetone and or "Goof Off". My guess is most of the old paint will wipe off. Then mask off and repaint. JMO Bill

01-30-2014, 01:44 PM	#1
Autodave Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Menifee,Ca. Posts: 44	Flathead Questions I picked up my first flathead, a running 1940 221. It has new water pumps, a PowerGen alt., new carb, and a MSD electronic dist. I would like to just clean it up (gasket set, paint, etc.) and run it as is. As for the stock heads, what is the best way to freshen them up? Should I get them bead blasted? Also the intake is aluminum, can this also be bead blasted and left raw aluminum? Thanks for any advice.

01-30-2014, 02:12 PM	#2
john mullen Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lanexa Va Posts: 254	Re: Flathead Questions bead blast or paint striper and wire brush

01-30-2014, 06:40 PM	#3
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Flathead Questions Your biggest improvement would be to replace the distributor with a stock l11a

01-31-2014, 08:46 AM	#4
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: Flathead Questions Chances are if you pull the pan and intake to put new gaskets, you will find an inch of muck which needs to be cleaned out. Will leave it to others to recommend a suitable method to do that.

01-31-2014, 09:55 AM	#5
Autodave Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Menifee,Ca. Posts: 44	Re: Flathead Questions Thanks for the responses.

01-31-2014, 10:23 AM	#6
4tford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Regina Canada Posts: 1,335	Re: Flathead Questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good question would be how far are you willing to take this apart?? If you pull heads and intake and then start wire brush etc. you will be getting a lot of contamination into the engine. If you pull pan and intake and find they both need to be cleaned I would take engine apart and clean and check everything. Do what is then necessary and re-assemble properly. Much easier now than after it is installed. If pan and lifter valley are "reasonably clean, then wash just the outside down carefully by hand using Acetone and or "Goof Off". My guess is most of the old paint will wipe off. Then mask off and repaint. JMO Bill