First Flathead Build

After pressure testing, have the block bake cleaned. This would be an ideal time to have the block decked and bored, valve job. Then all you have to do is put it together, keeping your wife very happy.A happy wife is almost as important as a well running Flathead.
 
Fortunateson said:
Does the book have a title or did I miss that?
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There ya go



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Ol' Ron said:
After pressure testing, have the block bake cleaned. This would be an ideal time to have the block decked and bored, valve job. Then all you have to do is put it together, keeping your wife very happy.A happy wife is almost as important as a well running Flathead.
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Ain’t that the truth!

Question about pressure testing; my book shows a kit from speedway to do the test. Is that something you guys have, and normally run the test yourself?

I don’t mind buying it as I’m enjoying myself and think I’ll build another after this, but don’t want to waste the coin if this can also be done at the shop


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Tim Ayers said:
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.
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Great tip, thanks. I was looking for a brass drift but will check out the bat blanks.

This is my first ever engine build so I’m taking my time to really get to know the internals. But if they refuse to come out I won’t hesitate to chop em up!


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"Question about pressure testing; my book shows a kit from speedway to do the test. Is that something you guys have, and normally run the test yourself?"

I have the Speedway kit. In my case I felt it took some modification to work the way I wanted. A shop that is familiar with and works on flatheads should have the proper equipment. Check with them.
 
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Another quick question; what should I be using to clean the oil like this in my washing bin? A degreaser? Varsol?


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They are all like that. As I understand it, they were cast in groups of four and then broken apart.
 
tubman said:
They are all like that. As I understand it, they were cast in groups of four and then broken apart.
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Great, thanks! I had the fellas over last night and they were sure it was shot, but I didn’t think so.


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Last night turned into a neighbors over, bottle of tequila, engine working kind of night.
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Hammered out 4 of the pistons and have the rest soaking.
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And I managed to take in a car show as well! Pretty good day. This car is along the lines of what I’d like to build. I guess it’s an A roadster on a 32 style frame?
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Great progress! And great choice of motor for your future project. Everyone loves a flathead powered Hot Rod!
 
Looks like you’re having fun. Floor is getting dirty and oily. And you offer tequila? Keep on havin fun. Good progress. Mike
 
Man! What's all the crud in the exhaust ports? One looks like leaves and the other is oddly uniform all the way around the port. ???
 
Terranova said:
Man! What's all the crud in the exhaust ports? One looks like leaves and the other is oddly uniform all the way around the port. ???
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The ones on the end are carbon. The one in the middle is rust that came off the manifold.


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So far, so good. All Flathead cranks have a chunk out of them. Except some 53 cranks that used a different method. Why the rod in the trash??
 
Ol' Ron said:
So far, so good. All Flathead cranks have a chunk out of them. Except some 53 cranks that used a different method. Why the rod in the trash??
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That’s just where it fell into the oil pan, along with a shower of rusty debris!


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