The Ford Barn

Mr. Ed · 10-07-2018, 07:41 AM

Good morning. I just joined the forum because I have a 1930 Model A motor in a rail bus that we are rebuilding in the chassis. Now while I have done many Ford and AMC motors, the flathead four is new to me.

We tried to turn the motor over with a hand crank but it was locked up tight. So we got the head of last week and found that the cylinders were in pretty good shape except for the one whose exhaust valve was open to the atmosphere, but even that one wasn't too bad. We soaked them with penetrating oil but still no movement so we pulled the pan and the side plate that covers the valve springs (I am sure there is a proper name for that plate but I do not know it). We also pulled the inspection cover for the cam gear, which is in good shape. While I am working on this vehicle, I am not the owner and he has some ideas of his own included using a piece of 2x3 to pound the #1 piston down to see if we could get some movement. Now while that did work, and we can move the pitons about an inch, except for #1 which just sits there, they do not turn freely enough so we drained the oil, yes it had oil in it, and dropped the pan. The #1 piston has cracked at the bottom separating the top from the rod, shocked huh. But the cam is really pitted so it will need to be replaced.

So as the process moves forward, I will asking for help from you flathead guys on how to rebuild this engine in the chassis.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Dave Mellor NJ · 10-07-2018, 10:35 PM

Where in South Jersey are you?

Marshall V. Daut · 10-08-2018, 08:54 AM

Take the starter off, if still mounted. The Bendix may be locked against the flywheel ring gear or one mounting bolt is too long and is keeping the flywheel from turning over the crankshaft.
Or is the motor more disassembled than this? Photos are ALWAYS a big help and can eliminate unnecessary SWAG's on our part.
Marshall

Mr. Ed · 10-08-2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Mellor NJ

Where in South Jersey are you?

I am in Turnersville. The railbus is in Columbus.

Later!
Mr. Ed

Mr. Ed · 10-08-2018, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

Take the starter off, if still mounted. The Bendix may be locked against the flywheel ring gear or one mounting bolt is too long and is keeping the flywheel from turning over the crankshaft.
Or is the motor more disassembled than this? Photos are ALWAYS a big help and can eliminate unnecessary SWAG's on our part.
Marshall

Thanks. I'll do that this week. We are looking at a short block.

Later!
Mr. Ed

burner31 · 10-08-2018, 09:19 PM

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Mr. Ed · 10-09-2018, 09:53 AM

That is so cool! Thank you.

Later!
Mr. Ed

10-07-2018, 10:35 PM	#2
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 778	Re: New member Where in South Jersey are you?

10-08-2018, 08:54 AM	#3
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,111	Re: New member Take the starter off, if still mounted. The Bendix may be locked against the flywheel ring gear or one mounting bolt is too long and is keeping the flywheel from turning over the crankshaft. Or is the motor more disassembled than this? Photos are ALWAYS a big help and can eliminate unnecessary SWAG's on our part. Marshall

10-09-2018, 09:53 AM	#7
Mr. Ed Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: South Jersey Posts: 13	Re: New member That is so cool! Thank you. Later! Mr. Ed __________________ 1951 F-1, 351W, C-4, Henry. 1993 Mustang 5.0 LX convertible, Sally. 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Herman.

10-07-2018, 07:41 AM	#1
Mr. Ed Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: South Jersey Posts: 13	New member Good morning. I just joined the forum because I have a 1930 Model A motor in a rail bus that we are rebuilding in the chassis. Now while I have done many Ford and AMC motors, the flathead four is new to me. We tried to turn the motor over with a hand crank but it was locked up tight. So we got the head of last week and found that the cylinders were in pretty good shape except for the one whose exhaust valve was open to the atmosphere, but even that one wasn't too bad. We soaked them with penetrating oil but still no movement so we pulled the pan and the side plate that covers the valve springs (I am sure there is a proper name for that plate but I do not know it). We also pulled the inspection cover for the cam gear, which is in good shape. While I am working on this vehicle, I am not the owner and he has some ideas of his own included using a piece of 2x3 to pound the #1 piston down to see if we could get some movement. Now while that did work, and we can move the pitons about an inch, except for #1 which just sits there, they do not turn freely enough so we drained the oil, yes it had oil in it, and dropped the pan. The #1 piston has cracked at the bottom separating the top from the rod, shocked huh. But the cam is really pitted so it will need to be replaced. So as the process moves forward, I will asking for help from you flathead guys on how to rebuild this engine in the chassis. Thanks in advance for any and all help. Later! Mr. Ed