49 Flathead Dead....?

[askforjonny]

I haven't had a real chance to dig into this problem due to a new purchase of an old home.. FIXER-UPPER!

But maybe I can get some good leads on where I should start:

A few months back I was driving my 49' and I thought I heard a faint knocking while it was at idle after closer inspection the sound was gone. (fixed itself! WIN!)

Then a month later I was headed through Northgate to the market and the knock came back in full force all at once. I pulled off into the parking lot the knocking was kinda loud then the car died.

I tried to start it a few times and the engine cranks over but will not start...

IDK if that is enough info, but maybe someone can help me with this...

 

[askforjonny]

d:/

 

[Mike B]

Assume oil level is okay?

Main bearings don't usually fix themselves...


Got spark?

 

[askforjonny]

Yeah man, I have spark...

you think it would be the main bearing.

 

[askforjonny]

I'm gonna have to get this damn thing going. makes a good looking lawn ornament tho.

 

[my4dv8]

Unlikely to be a bearing seizing , sure they can clearance up when they cool off enough to run again but yours won't fire. Other will chime in but do the basic fuel and spark checks first to eliminate the obvious.

 

[dono50]

I would check if your getting fuel, might be a fuel pump problem.
If your getting fuel, take a compression test.
I don't think it's a bearing problem.

 

[rotorwrench]

It might be a broken piston. Old Henry suffered one a while back. They will make a knocking sound until they completely separate. It's bang bang bang after that. A rod or crank bearing usually starts with lower than normal oil pressure then gets louder until it shucks a rod if you keep on running it..

 

[deuce5wndw]

Take the distributor cap off and see if the rotor is turning when you crank it over. Could be the timing gear.