Another flathead question

[mzaejlr]

First off let me thank everyone on this site for sharing their knowledge on the various questions that are asked!

Here are questions for the flathead guys:
1. Is there a trick to getting the stuck oil pump out? And the idler gear?
2. Is stroking a stock mercury crank 1/8 acceptable?
Thanks again, Miguel

 

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

You haven't said what year the engine is but, if the engine is on a stand, to get the stuck oil pump put, remove the bolt that holds it to the block than take a big pipe wrench and grab the pump big end, and turn it back and forth, squirt some weasel pi-- around the bottom, after moving it back and forth a few times try prying it up some, EASY, don't break it off, If you brake it your in big trouble. To get the back gears off, remove the 5 bolts and tap the edge of the cover to break it loose from the gasket, If it a 48 and older the big idle gear comes off with the cover, If it's an 8BA you have to use a slide hammer in that 3/8 course thread hole in the middle of the gear and clunk it out. Yes, you can stroke a 4in. Merc crank to 4-1/8. Walt

 

[mzaejlr]

Thanks Walt, it is a 8ba.One more question, I have a set of old sharp heads, they are very clean, and have no visible damage. What needs to be done to check if these heads are ok to use?
They came from an old racer's (poncho) nephew, and I was told they were only used for a short time, but they are old, thanks for the help

 

[jkeesey]

Send the heads to an automotive machine shop and have them magnafluxed. This will tell if there are any cracks not visible to the naked eye. Also have them check the mating surface to make sure its flat. 99.9 percent of the time they aren't., even if its one thousandth.

 

[woodypecker]

If yor do not have a slide hammer you can make a puller out of a straight piece of steel and a bolt to remove the gear.

 

[Ol' Ron]

You can't mag aluminum, Get them milled for flatness.
Stroking a4" crank is the biggest wast of money you can do to a flathead. 21a rods floating bearings and re balancing, A thousand dollarsd for 9 cubic inches. Cheaper to buy a stroker kit.

 

[19Fordy]

Here's the 8BA removal of the gear. You can rig up your own puller using a "huge" socket or you can make various pieces of bar stock.

 

[Karl Wolf]

Pressure test the heads, uses the same fixture as for the block... Then resurface them.
Karl

 

[mzaejlr]

Thanks guys. Good info.Since this is my first flathead I am on the fence about stroking, I have all the parts to do the job.
But first I have bigger fish to fry, like gettin the oil pump out and gettin the block cleaned and magnafluxed, thanks for the info

 

[lonewolf]

Got any pics of the heads are they block letter or script?

 

[Craig CT]

Thanks Walt, it is a 8ba.One more question, I have a set of old sharp heads, they are very clean, and have no visible damage. What needs to be done to check if these heads are ok to use?
They came from an old racer's (poncho) nephew, and I was told they were only used for a short time, but they are old, thanks for the help

Hi mzaejlr; I would first clearance and cc the heads. You probably don't want less than fifty thousandths clearance or over nine to one compression on a street motor. Good luck, Craig.

 

[mzaejlr]

Off the top of my head they are script. I will snap some pictures this weekend. I talked to someone at wilcap when I first got them and he said they were before they started making the heads.

 

[mzaejlr]

Here is a couple of Picts of the heads.

 

[mzaejlr]

 

[mzaejlr]

Seems I am havingsome issues uploading the photos - Ill try again later.

 

[mzaejlr]

I think I got it this time?

Here arethe heads, script sharp heads, no other identification. I was told when I spoke to thefolksat Wilcap its not uncommon to find early speed equipment without identification.

Also is a picture of the intake and the generator mount. I was wondering if anyonecould I.D. the genterator mount, Thanks