'34 Engine Help

rbone

Member
Hello all. I have been a regular reader on this forum for years now, but just joined today. Quick backstory - my father, son, and I finished restoring a '34 Tudor about 2 years ago. My Father bought the car from the original owner in '66 and then it sat for about 40 years. We restored the car to original with one major exception - the motor is a 59AB. The original motor was replaced sometime in the early 60's with the 59AB. It runs and drives great, but I have been looking for a restorable '34 motor since we finished the car. Well, I found one, bought it and have just about finished disassembly. So far, no cracks and no issues during disassembly. The cylinder bores are still 3 1/16", but at least two of them have damage and will need to be machined. I am getting ready to take the motor to be cleaned and magnafluxed. I would like to do that with someone who is knowledgeable about the non-insert 21 studs, can repour the babbits, etc.

My goal is to bring the motor back to life as close to original as possible (not interested in hopping up the motor or anything like that). Can anyone point me in the direction of a reputable machine shop in the Dallas, TX area or within a few hours drive that can do the machine work?

I am willing to freight ship the motor if necessary, but would rather have it done locally if possible.

Thanks in advance,
Ron
 
Is the original Babbitt in good shape? If so, it's likely to be better than what's available today. Just make sure to use a block cleaning process that will not destroy the Babbitt.
 
Try Dave Plubell @ 972-840-2242 (DP Machine). He is an old school guy. DP Machine in Garland.

Also Jimmy Allard, Allard Machine, Ennis, Tx +1 (972) 878-9821.
 
Coincidence we have a 34 V8 on the operating table right now. Low mile engine
we are just going to do a refresh. What we do is, we have cut a 55 gal drum in
half. This is propped under the engine on engine stand. We have a low output
12vt boat bilge pump in this 'tub' with about 5 gal of diesel with its output hose stuck in
the valve galley and let it rip. These little pumps are cheap and diesel won't hurt
anything. BUT where your hose comes out of this pump you gotta put a few holes
in this hose for relief or you will get it in the face - they put out like a fire hose.
After its **** and span rotate engine do the bottom. I do not believe in engine flush
diesel is mild oil. sam
 
Thanks all!

re. the 59ab, I'm not sure yet.

re. the original babbits - I am unsure of their condition yet as the crank and caps are still in the motor. I hope to get to that this weekend.

I will give the two machine shops a call - thanks so much for the information!

big job - I like that idea. I actually have a very small chemical duty PD liquid pump that I have used to clean things before, but never thought of making a trough.

Ron
 
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welcome to the 'Barn....got pics of your '34.??....we love pics...lol....good luck with the engine and have fun....Mike
 
Here are a few pics, not sure how to post them on this site, so I will try the img hosting method. First one is my Father and Son with the car right after we finished the upholstery.

Pops_and_Tyler.jpg

Front.jpg


upload pics
 
yes, hyd brakes - a trade off I made as the drivers around here in Dallas don't always appreciate older cars. I have the mechanical brakes in my garage. If I ever decide to show the car, I will put them back on.

To be clear - the first photo is my father and my son (I am not in the picture). My dad was really happy to get to finish the car with his grandson. Now they are having a good time working on the newly acquired '34 motor. I am getting to 'supervise' them a little while they do the work. Lucky for me.
 
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