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Old 07-08-2010, 07:29 PM   #1
OoltewahSpeedShop
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Default Another stuck Flathead story....



Another stuck Flathead story....
I traded for this flathead engine that "Supposedly" had been sitting dry in a garage for years.... "It's stuck, but can't be bad" that was the story.

I've tried every old school trick in the book to get it free. Marvel Mystery, Kroil, PB Blaster, Coke, Pepsi, antifreeze, nothing worked. Won't budge!

Here's what we found tonight. Beware! It's not pretty.

Wonder why it was stuck? Sitting dry for years. Really? What they didn't tell me was, that it obviously sat under a drain spout for a few years before that. Either way, didn't see any cracks, and the cylinders don't look too bad believe it or not.

It did move a little bit, so it's soaking again. Wish me luck!

Later,
Kevin
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Old 07-08-2010, 08:25 PM   #2
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Hey Kevin, here's wishing you luck! It already looks much better. Please keep us informed of your progress. Very encouraging that it has moved a lick. Dennis/Arkansas
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Old 07-08-2010, 08:31 PM   #3
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

one guy told me he put brake fluid in the cylinders and lit it on fire, he said that it burnt very slow
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Old 07-08-2010, 09:05 PM   #4
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

it looks like it cleaned up real good i got one on a engine stand and guy said it was no good i am going to get another opinion
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Old 07-08-2010, 09:55 PM   #5
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Obviously all the "Remedies" to a stuck flathead worked on the gunk. It's still stuck though. In the valve guides as far as I can tell. Looks as though the bottom end is loose, but the valves are stuck.

Does that sound right?
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Old 07-08-2010, 10:02 PM   #6
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

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Very possible. The valves could be rusted in the valve guides and stopping it from turning. As a matter of fact, that was my first guess before your last post.
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Old 07-08-2010, 10:20 PM   #7
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Those upper right two pics, is that just after tear down, or after you had something in the engine?
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Old 07-09-2010, 12:01 AM   #8
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Quote:
Originally Posted by OoltewahSpeedShop View Post


Another stuck Flathead story....
I traded for this flathead engine that "Supposedly" had been sitting dry in a garage for years.... "It's stuck, but can't be bad" that was the story.

I've tried every old school trick in the book to get it free. Marvel Mystery, Kroil, PB Blaster, Coke, Pepsi, antifreeze, nothing worked. Won't budge!

Here's what we found tonight. Beware! It's not pretty.

Wonder why it was stuck? Sitting dry for years. Really? What they didn't tell me was, that it obviously sat under a drain spout for a few years before that. Either way, didn't see any cracks, and the cylinders don't look too bad believe it or not.

It did move a little bit, so it's soaking again. Wish me luck!

Later,
Kevin
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i would put it into a 44 gal drum of diesel leave it soak for a couple of weeks
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Old 07-09-2010, 05:10 AM   #9
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Quote:
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Those upper right two pics, is that just after tear down, or after you had something in the engine?
Yeah those pictures with the junk in the cylinders were taken as soon as the heads came off. The later pics were after I cleaned it up.
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Old 07-09-2010, 07:45 AM   #10
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

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i would put it into a 44 gal drum of diesel leave it soak for a couple of weeks
Here in Texas we have 55 gallon drums.
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Old 07-09-2010, 09:00 AM   #11
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

When I bought my 39 Std. it had been sitting for several years like 15. The engine was stuck. When I got it home I took the spark plugs out and filled the cylinders with PB Blaster pent fluid. Then I put a new battery in and every time I walk by the car I would bump the starter. The third day the engine broke loose.I then drain the oil and it had water in the oil??? I then check the tourque and the right side was only 40 pounds. I put a new head gasket on that sside. Been driving the cat for two years with no problem.Just takes time to solve the problem.Might try a little heat since you have the heads off also.
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Old 07-09-2010, 09:09 AM   #12
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

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Originally Posted by Ross in East Texas View Post
Here in Texas we have 55 gallon drums.
And 10 gallon hats
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Old 07-09-2010, 09:14 AM   #13
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Try acetone & atf 50-50 mix. it is the best penetrate. squirt valve guides and all often.
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Old 07-09-2010, 09:31 AM   #14
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiesteve View Post
The US gallon is smaller than the imperial gallon,hence the difference
Found this to further complicate matters. (Slow day at work).

There are 55 gallons in a drum and 42 gallons (1 U.S. gallon = 3.78541178 liters) in a barrel (i.e., 1 barrel = 158.9872948 liters).

Originally there were 40 gallons to a barrel. However, that was changed in the mid-19th century to give a little extra so consumers wouldn't feel "cheated."

A little over 23 gallons of gasoline can be refined from a barrel of oil. Other products (jet fuel, lubricants, etc.) make up the rest.

The easy way to remember the number of gallons in a barrel of oil: There are 7 letters in gallons and 6 letters in barrel. 7X6=42 gallons.
42 US gallons.
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Old 07-09-2010, 10:25 AM   #15
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Quote:
Originally Posted by OoltewahSpeedShop View Post


Another stuck Flathead story....
I traded for this flathead engine that "Supposedly" had been sitting dry in a garage for years.... "It's stuck, but can't be bad" that was the story.

I've tried every old school trick in the book to get it free. Marvel Mystery, Kroil, PB Blaster, Coke, Pepsi, antifreeze, nothing worked. Won't budge!

Here's what we found tonight. Beware! It's not pretty.

Wonder why it was stuck? Sitting dry for years. Really? What they didn't tell me was, that it obviously sat under a drain spout for a few years before that. Either way, didn't see any cracks, and the cylinders don't look too bad believe it or not.

It did move a little bit, so it's soaking again. Wish me luck!

Later,
Kevin
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The engine in my roadster came from the "boneyard", dragged it out from under a one ton telephone truck that had been setting on it's side for many years. I thought it would be just for parts, so my son and I knocked half the pistons out with a big sledge and a 2 in, piece of barstock. Some came out the bottom after we got the crank out. Some had water, and some were just badly corroded in place, it looked worse than your pics. I looked the block over, and it looked in good shape. I had it bored .060, skin cut the decks, and ground the crank. It's been running great in the roadster for going on 15 years now. There's most likely a lot of life still left in that engine of yours. Good luck and have fun! Paul Selfe.
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Old 07-09-2010, 12:04 PM   #16
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

I had a similar piston in my 8BA. I soaked it for days and took a BFH to it abd beat the living snot out of it until it came out.
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Old 07-09-2010, 12:11 PM   #17
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Tilt the block so a deck is level. Degrease the bores as best as you can. Fill the bores with Phosphoric Acid. It will dissolve the rust. All the penetrants in the world will not dissolve rust.
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Old 07-09-2010, 12:35 PM   #18
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

What about vinegar?
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Old 07-09-2010, 03:59 PM   #19
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

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Originally Posted by Ross in East Texas View Post
Here in Texas we have 55 gallon drums.
everything isbigger in texas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
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Old 07-09-2010, 07:26 PM   #20
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Had the same problem and description when purchased, 6 of 8 pistons were broken into pieces getting out. Valves were worse, most were cut off at bottom, heads broken off and driven down and out. I cleaned and relieved block. Cleaned ports. Still to go to the machine shop to see if it will clean up at 3 5/16 as it was std. but pitted badly. Zeke
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Old 07-09-2010, 09:20 PM   #21
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Is 3 5/16" a safe bore without worrying about heating problems.
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Old 07-10-2010, 06:19 AM   #22
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

I would give up on the valve train, some are impossable to get out correctly. Best bet is cut the stuck ones with a wheel, once the spring is gone may be able to move it. Have also torched out the retainer so they can be pried up guide & all. Pulling down on the guide with the correct KRW tool just breaks off the guide notch.
I needed to save a new crank & rods in a super bad 59A, beating on the rods not an option. Punched a hole in the piston top and sawzalled the piston wall 2 places, once a section of piston was chipped outta there took little persuasion. But the chances of busting a good block too risky.
Get the cam out and it may turn.
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Old 07-11-2010, 11:40 PM   #23
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

The acetone/trans fluid/mineral spirits concoction seems to be working. All but one of the pistons are free. The last one will come around and its not even one of the worst ones in the pictures. The valve guides are what is holding the program up.

The intake valves are free.... How do I get to the exhaust valves? Turn the engine till the exhaust ports are up, then pour them full?
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Old 07-12-2010, 04:52 PM   #24
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

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What about vinegar?
This works great....
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Old 07-12-2010, 07:04 PM   #25
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

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everything isbigger in texas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
Does that include the size of the heads under them Ten Gallon hats?
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Old 07-12-2010, 09:08 PM   #26
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Used to restore old one-cylinder farm engines -- often stuck. You are doing the right things but you are trying to bust everything loose at once. Take out the crank and periodically smack each piston with a piece of wood and big hammer. Some will come loose sooner than others.

Douse the valves, guides and lifters with PB Blaster and tap each one with a soft hammer.

Once something starts to move squirt it and tap it in and out. If it moves it's on the way out.

The last engine I restored (check video below) had deep grooves in the cylinder and a lot of rust. I hit it with a hone and put it back together. "Clearance" meant something else in those days. The engine is 6 hp and weighs 1,860 pounds! Good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLB5BxO8GvA
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Old 07-23-2010, 09:29 AM   #27
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Quote:
Originally Posted by OoltewahSpeedShop View Post
The acetone/trans fluid/mineral spirits concoction seems to be working. All but one of the pistons are free. ?
Glad to hear it man....wont be long now !!

BFD
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Old 07-26-2010, 01:19 PM   #28
mike in las vegas
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Default Re: Another stuck Flathead story....

Here is a block that was given to me. Soaked in molassas for weeks and weeks and still had to beat the snot out of it.
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