First Flathead Build
- Thread starter sharp21
- Start date
I was gonna say something similar to big job yesterday but then I assumed you'd done this before.
Keep everything in order and organized, oriented the way it came out of the engine, for balance sake.
If you have enough room in your garage/shop put down a piece of cardboard on a bench and label everything. You can even punch screws/bolts through so they don't move if it gets bumped.
Label your crank caps.
Label/number your pistons and keep their caps attached with the same bolts. Put an arrow on top of them to know which way the front of the engine is.
Baggie and sharpie label everything else.
Keep everything in order and organized, oriented the way it came out of the engine, for balance sake.
If you have enough room in your garage/shop put down a piece of cardboard on a bench and label everything. You can even punch screws/bolts through so they don't move if it gets bumped.
Label your crank caps.
Label/number your pistons and keep their caps attached with the same bolts. Put an arrow on top of them to know which way the front of the engine is.
Baggie and sharpie label everything else.
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Retainers should be removed before cleaning, no?
Will do!
Here are a few of unloading and getting bolted to the stand. It's still on the ground but I'm planning for liftoff today!
Attachments
Not yet. After those pics were taken I’ve been spent all my time offshore in Mexico. I travel a lot so it won’t be a fast project.
I did see the adjustable lifters. Will make sure everything is kept in order when tearing ‘er down
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Fortunateson
Well-known member
I'm going to be doing something similar. One bank had water enter from a leaky roof via heads without spark plugs. I've been soaking in ATF and acetone. So far no movement. I thought I might flip it over, remove the pan, oil pump, and then the crank. I should be able to tap on the con rods to get some movement. Yes? Don't want to hijack but thought it might pertinent.
That shop is waay too neat, you’ll have to get that disheveled look or people won’t believe your working on a flathead!
My wife parks there when I’m out of town working. The cleaner I keep it the less I have to hear about it!
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This is what the book I’m working from offers:
I’m definitely not reusing the pistons but will reuse the rods if I can. I may soak it first then try to punch them out.
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rotorwrench
Well-known member
It will be a big clean up chore after you disassemble that thing but it is nice to start a day working in a clean environment. It's definitely easier to find the tools anyway.
I can clean the shop one day and a customer comes in on the next with his helicopter and blows all the crap from the outside into the shop. Its a never ending battle.
I can clean the shop one day and a customer comes in on the next with his helicopter and blows all the crap from the outside into the shop. Its a never ending battle.
Fortunateson
Well-known member
Does the book have a title or did I miss that?
Let me put it this way, get them out by any means necessary. You can get brand new 8BA rods from Tardel and SF Flatheads for $225. You'd be hard pressed to get current rods reconditioned for that price.
Don't waste your efforts if they are giving you are hard time. Use the red wrench and cut them out. Same with valves. Believe me, I try to save what ever I can, but then it comes down to time and effort.
I've found a baseball bat blank (can be found online for under $30) is the perfect sized dowel for knocking pistons out of the bore.
In the past six months I've torn down five motors. One came apart like it was made yesterday. One had to have everything torched out. No rhyme or reason for it. I have all the proper tools to boot.
Get them out and move on.
Don't waste your efforts if they are giving you are hard time. Use the red wrench and cut them out. Same with valves. Believe me, I try to save what ever I can, but then it comes down to time and effort.
I've found a baseball bat blank (can be found online for under $30) is the perfect sized dowel for knocking pistons out of the bore.
In the past six months I've torn down five motors. One came apart like it was made yesterday. One had to have everything torched out. No rhyme or reason for it. I have all the proper tools to boot.
Get them out and move on.