The Ford Barn

Pilotdave · 03-12-2012, 04:51 PM

J Franklin - thanks for the suggestion. Will depend on what those valves look like when I get the head off this time. There's also a pencil lead test that I've read about - similar to the Prussian blue test but different!

Pilotdave · 03-12-2012, 07:23 PM

1930 coupe, that sounds like a great idea. Very clever. Thanks.

rally 1 · 03-12-2012, 07:56 PM

While grinding the valve seats, check the intake valve cam lift for that cylinder compared to the others. A wiped/worn lobe and/or lifter will give a low compression reading.
Pretty rare on an A (steel cam), but worth checking.

Ken

Pilotdave · 03-12-2012, 08:40 PM

Yet another good idea - and easy to do while the valves are out of the block. Thanks, Ken.

Frank Miller · 03-12-2012, 08:57 PM

Dave you do not need to take the valve out. I do not think it is your problem but to make sure just remove the manifolds and put some air pressure in the #2 cylinder. Spray soapy water in the ports at the valves and see if you get bubbles. I have not tried that but it seems like it might work. I think as some experts have said you have a warped head or the head gasket is not sealing for some other reason. You need a machinist straight edged, not just a flat piece of steel to properly check it. Just my opinion.

Pilotdave · 03-12-2012, 09:14 PM

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Frankie - nice to hear from you! It'd be easy to do what you are suggesting. I'm getting quite a list.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-13-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilotdave

So.....my education continues! Paul and James - interesting that you both recommend installing the gasket with the rolled edge side up. [I was asking mostly in order to establish from which (#2 or #3) cylinder was more involved in the head gasket staining, though I imagine that I installed the new gasket last fall rolled side down.] I'll have to pull the head and have it checked.

How much can the head be milled before it becomes unusable?

Bill - what is the name of the "modern high tech gasket" that you mention? Something like the Premium Head Gasket (A-6051-M) as listed in Synder's catalog?

When running a compression test, should you leave other spark plugs installed when testing each cylinder? I tested compression yesterday with all plugs removed.

Thanks again!

Dave,
It's the same gasket everyone's selling, it's been around quite awhile. Black on both sides, with a stainless core and red silicone lines around EVERY stud & water jacket hole. Mine was marked "TOP" printed on the black & not easy to read!! Black surface is more like modern car gaskets, made to"FUSE" with heat! If this gasket ever failed, something was done WRONG, such as trash, crooked head, crooked deck, cracks, improper torqueing, or not torqueing enough times!!! TORQUE IT "COLD." DON'T LOOSEN NUTS WHEN RETORQUEING.
If any want to argue the last two points, save your typing effort. I DO know my s**t. I'll even BRAG, I'm an A.S.E. Certified Master Auto Technician, retired on disability since 1990, re-take the tests every 4 years, and am STILL CERTIFIED. Why I do this? I don't know! "See, I got CREDINTALS."
(It's a thin gasket, and if you have a "wavy' deck, when checked with an accurate straight edge by a machinest, then use "only the thicker copper gasket." Bill W.

Pilotdave · 03-15-2012, 08:13 PM

Bill - appreciate the explanation.

All - my project is now on hold as I'm stuck in the hospital for several weeks. I expect that I will spend hours every day on this forum! Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

J and M Machine · 03-15-2012, 08:33 PM

Actually if you're having problems with the copper gasket sealing the black gasket may not work either. If the block deck is warped and the head surface is out then the only solution may be to get some machine work done.
We just got in an engine that the deck was warped but the head was resurfaced with the black gasket and the gasket couldn't hold the water back from leaking.
A gasket is sometimes only as good as the surface.

www.jandm-machine.com

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-16-2012, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilotdave

Bill - appreciate the explanation.

All - my project is now on hold as I'm stuck in the hospital for several weeks. I expect that I will spend hours every day on this forum! Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

Dave,
Hope you do well, nothing serious I pray. Took Gregg, my son & seat builder to emergency for 5 hours tonight, left hand and arm jumping uncontrolably, faint, weak, etc. He had heart valve replaced & an aneurism repaired 6 years ago. Prognosis was maybe nerve pinched by collar bone & excessive stress from job search & Mom may go to Jesus any moment. Bill Williamson

1931 flamingo · 03-16-2012, 08:52 AM

Is there an address for cards?? Hoping you're better soon.
Paul in CT

flatheadernie · 03-16-2012, 11:58 AM

BILL, I am praying for Dave and Gregg, MOM also, now how are you doing? sounds busy out your way. ernie n tx

Pilotdave · 03-17-2012, 09:00 AM

Thanks for your concerns and good wishes. If someone would like to send a card by snail mail, here's my address: Dave Libbey, 44 George Hill Rd, Grafton, MA 01519. I'm dealing with a highly curable form of leukemia - should be through Phase 1 of Chemo in about 4 weeks. This is not how I planned to spend the spring, but we do what we have to do.

Bill, Gregg and your Mom are in my prayers.

Dave

03-12-2012, 04:51 PM	#41
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 J Franklin - thanks for the suggestion. Will depend on what those valves look like when I get the head off this time. There's also a pencil lead test that I've read about - similar to the Prussian blue test but different!

03-12-2012, 07:23 PM	#42
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 1930 coupe, that sounds like a great idea. Very clever. Thanks.

03-12-2012, 07:56 PM	#43
rally 1 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 171	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 While grinding the valve seats, check the intake valve cam lift for that cylinder compared to the others. A wiped/worn lobe and/or lifter will give a low compression reading. Pretty rare on an A (steel cam), but worth checking. Ken

03-12-2012, 08:40 PM	#44
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 Yet another good idea - and easy to do while the valves are out of the block. Thanks, Ken.

03-12-2012, 08:57 PM	#45
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 Dave you do not need to take the valve out. I do not think it is your problem but to make sure just remove the manifolds and put some air pressure in the #2 cylinder. Spray soapy water in the ports at the valves and see if you get bubbles. I have not tried that but it seems like it might work. I think as some experts have said you have a warped head or the head gasket is not sealing for some other reason. You need a machinist straight edged, not just a flat piece of steel to properly check it. Just my opinion. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

03-12-2012, 09:14 PM	#46
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Frankie - nice to hear from you! It'd be easy to do what you are suggesting. I'm getting quite a list.

03-15-2012, 08:13 PM	#48
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 Bill - appreciate the explanation. All - my project is now on hold as I'm stuck in the hospital for several weeks. I expect that I will spend hours every day on this forum! Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

03-15-2012, 08:33 PM	#49
J and M Machine Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: 40 Mt.Vickery Rd. Southborough,MA 508-460-0733 Posts: 352	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 Actually if you're having problems with the copper gasket sealing the black gasket may not work either. If the block deck is warped and the head surface is out then the only solution may be to get some machine work done. We just got in an engine that the deck was warped but the head was resurfaced with the black gasket and the gasket couldn't hold the water back from leaking. A gasket is sometimes only as good as the surface. www.jandm-machine.com

03-16-2012, 08:52 AM	#51
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 Is there an address for cards?? Hoping you're better soon. Paul in CT

03-16-2012, 11:58 AM	#52
flatheadernie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 229	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 BILL, I am praying for Dave and Gregg, MOM also, now how are you doing? sounds busy out your way. ernie n tx

03-17-2012, 09:00 AM	#53
Pilotdave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Grafton, MA Posts: 1,226	Re: Compression Problem Revisited - Update - See p2 Thanks for your concerns and good wishes. If someone would like to send a card by snail mail, here's my address: Dave Libbey, 44 George Hill Rd, Grafton, MA 01519. I'm dealing with a highly curable form of leukemia - should be through Phase 1 of Chemo in about 4 weeks. This is not how I planned to spend the spring, but we do what we have to do. Bill, Gregg and your Mom are in my prayers. Dave