engine is a quandary

[Art Newland]

This engine is a quandary to me. Pistons measure standard but compression ring gap is about .125”. Pistons fit snug in the bores but rings are stuck/glued in the lands. I can hardly catch the ridge with a fingernail, valves and seats (all have seats) look really good, intakes could literally be just put back in and used, exhausts need a slight touch-up. Valve galley is really sludged up. I don’t have the bottom end apart yet but sure don’t see anything catastrophic yet. It has all the indications of being low mileage but sure is gunked up. Rod bearings show standard… I’m just waiting for the hammer to drop as why this engine was taken out of service.

[19Fordy]

Cracks?

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Cracks?

Nothing I can see at this point. Doesn't even have the "normal" cracks from cooling holes to head bolts.

[tubman]

I must be missing something here. How did you get the pistons out without having "the bottom end apart yet"?

[Ggmac]

The valley isn't as. Bad as most worn old oil engines I've disassembled. I hope it's a good mtr for you . Old rering jobs were done with what ever parts were available. Esp when $ were hard to come by .

[Art Newland]

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Originally Posted by tubman

I must be missing something here. How did you get the pistons out without having "the bottom end apart yet"?

Unfortunately, the guy I bought it from gave a piston/rod assembly to a buddy, that needed it. They pulled #2 and #6, #6 was laying in the valve galley... That's left that jounal slightly rusty. Plan is a Merc crank anyway.

[Ggmac]

I may have a spare std piston hanging around if you were to rering and clean up .

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by Ggmac

I may have a spare std piston hanging around if you were to rering and clean up .

Thanks for the generous offer, I'll keep it in mind.

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone. Art Newland, thanks for the post. That valve valley is so typical.

[Art Newland]

Who said I wouldn't take it all apart?

[VeryTangled]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

Who said I wouldn't take it all apart?

Yup, That's on me. Not reading carefully. I suggested it would have to come apart. Then I saw a new crank was coming. Egg on my face.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

This engine is a quandary to me. Pistons measure standard but compression ring gap is about .125”. Pistons fit snug in the bores but rings are stuck/glued in the lands. I can hardly catch the ridge with a fingernail,

It should be obvious that the rings have worn appox. .040 dia. to give the .125 end gap condition with minimum wear on the cylinders.
Sounds like it could be a candidate for a rebuild like we used to do on a regular basis back in the day. Clean up,check dim's, hone and replace all bearings and rings etc.etc.

[Art Newland]

It's taken a while but I finally have this C8BA back on the road. It got the old do-it-yourself rebuild. Taper was minimal so left the bore stock. I replaced all the valves, and installed Johnson lifters. I found a really nice 4 inch crank with a fresh .010/.010 grind. The cam and bearings all looked/measured good, not sure what the Canadians used for the cam, had an aluminum gear. I had a big pile of rods so I weighed them all and got a set that were all within a few grams. Had to replace the pistons because of the Merc crank, ended up with Ross domed with fitted pins. I used a set of EAB heads, they had been surfaced and I had to relieve the combustion chambers a bit to get the .050 "squish" that Ron always talks about. Has twin Holley 2100 carbs with the power valves plugged. So many threads seem to never find resolution so I thought I'd let you all know how things turned out. I also machined a Chevy distributor for it using info I found here on the Barn, It's all turned out well and I'm very happy with how it runs and sounds. Thanks to all that are willing to share their knowledge. I've added a YouTube link with me driving the car, if HotRods offend you, then best just move along.

https://youtu.be/Gx8_7OUUsZ8

[Tim Ayers]

Wow! Looks great. Thanks for following up. Curious, what did you use or do to clean the block so well? Did you send it out or do that at home as well?

[Art Newland]

I'm a do-it-yourselfer when at all possible. I pressure washed it first, I have hot water available outside which helps a lot. Then scrub brushes and detergent, blow off with compressed air and hose down with WD-40 to stop flash rusting. Then wire-wheel on an air tool. Once I'm ready to assemble, I pressure wash again, blow dry and WD-40.

[Zeke3]

Sounds really good Art, thanks for the ride. Looks like it turned out really well.

I am rethinking my plans to rebuild my 21 stud engine after getting the broken cylinder head stud out of the block. Your project my have an influence on my decision.

[Ggmac]

Looks great . Heres wishing you many smooth , fun miles soon .

[GB SISSON]

Great video Art! Definately has the happy ending with the twice-pipes cam. What transmission is that? Looks like shifting is effortless! I'm running the T-9 you gave me behind the H six in my green tonner. It shifts great too, well, for a T-9. Thanks again, and happy motoring. PS feels like you are funneling some of that East wind outa the Fraser Canyon over the islands this afternoon. Temp has been dropping today. ")

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by Zeke3

Sounds really good Art, thanks for the ride. Looks like it turned out really well.

I am rethinking my plans to rebuild my 21 stud engine after getting the broken cylinder head stud out of the block. Your project my have an influence on my decision.

I've never tinkered on anything but the 8BA style flatead, I have to admit I like the look of the earlier engines distributor and upper rad hose placement. The 8BA is more more suited to the D-I-Yer

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

Great video Art! Definately has the happy ending with the twice-pipes cam. What transmission is that? Looks like shifting is effortless! I'm running the T-9 you gave me behind the H six in my green tonner. It shifts great too, well, for a T-9. Thanks again, and happy motoring. PS feels like you are funneling some of that East wind outa the Fraser Canyon over the islands this afternoon. Temp has been dropping today. ")

Howdy! Glad to hear you're getting some use out of that T9, I'm very much enjoying the lite-duty 3-speed I put in my F1. The transmission in my 31 HotRod is a BW T5 from a late 80s Chevy S-10 pickup. 5 speeds all synchronized and overdrive as well. Warmer here today, hopefully it's headed your way.