Finding and installing a thin wall sleeve for 37 Ford

flathead_jr

flathead_jr

Senior Member
So I am still on the hunt for a thin wall sleeve for my 37 Ford engine, once I do finally find one what is the best way to install that sleeve without damaging it. I was told warm block and frozen sleeve with some oil and they'd slid in. Any truth to that?
 
Installing sleeves isn't exactly a backyard operation nowdays. I do have the KRW set of tools to install them but I think it is best left to an automotive machine shop. How are you going to remove the one that is in there? The KRW tool has a hook that goes on the crankshaft and a threaded rod that allows a screw device to pull the sleeve in as it is tightened.
 
Getting the old one out wasn't a big deal I just kind of folded it in the bore carefully, no damage done to the bore at all. The thin wall sleeves are only .040 thick, but they seem to be getting harder to find.
 
The tincan sleeves need support when pressing them in.
You do it the normal way you have a fair chance that they collapse.
 
Well, the 37 didn't have a sleeve original, by the sound someone has install a .040 steel sleeve and you need a new one. The 40-41 engines had them and the 8N-9N tractors. Flathead Jr. has it right, I just take thin screw driver and drive it down between the sleeve and the block and it will collaps the sleeve, I drive it out from the bottom, the top of the sleeve has a land that sets in a groove on the top of the cyl, to install it you can usually start it with rubber hammer, then I use a thick steel plate, lay it on top of the sleeve and a heavy hammer and tap the sleeve down. NOW, why do you need the sleeve? Walt
 
Bore it another ..040" amd put in a 3 3/16 piston. If it weights the same as the rest, it won't hurt the engine.
 
Some how I managed to damage the sleeve while removing the piston from the bore. Were there different sleeve sizes available back in the day or just the .040 and .080 thick sleeves?
 
If the block is apart I would consider what Ol Ron said, punch it out and put in new oversize pistons. Sounds like a win-win to me.
 
If you do put in an original sleeve, just post the need for tools on here. A number of people have them and I'm sure someone nearby will help or lend the tool kit to pull them in properly.
 
Unless you're really trying to save the pistons and the other bores (does the rest of the engine NOT need to be bored???) . . . I'd remove the sleeve and bore the block to 3 3/16 (all bores) and you should be good. In considering doing this, have the block sonic tested FIRST - to make sure you have enough material in the bores.
 
Sorry I don't have a good version of this forum for mobile phones so I never saw a response to my posts, I apologize, however a response to that add for the sleeve can be sent here: flatheadjr@gmail.com, as to the engine all the rest of the bores are decent and I have enough pistons to fix it.
 
If you can get a copy of the March/April issue of the V-8 Times there is a great article about the "tin can" sleeves. They did start in a small number of '37 blocks and were marked with a "HS" on the top of the block between the intake manifold and the cylinder head. You may need special tools to install it. By the article, it seems like they were problematic.
 
Found another article on the "tin can" sleeves and they recommend packing the sleeve in dry ice and placing it in the refrigerator over night to shrink it. Make sure the block walls are clean and try to slide the sleeve in. This advice is also in the same issue of the V-8 Times in the CARespondence section.
 
If you find the correct sleeve all you need to do is pack it in dry ice. Dont use ice or put it in a freezer the sleeve will not shrink enough to put it in the bore. I know from experiance only dry ice will work. Its possible Joblot may still have some of those thin wall sleeves left its worth a call 1-800-221-0172
 
When I rebuilt my 8N tractor I took the block to New Holland Ford and had them press the sleeves. I will attempt about anything, but that was one I did want to try.
 
I did just take a look at the block today and on the front left corner is stamped a HS. Does this mean this motor came factory equipped with the sleeves and if they were problematic how so were they?
 
where are you located? I have a set of sleeve installers from a ford garage, consist of a large steel plug with a handle that fits inside the sleeve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top