Flathead Friday. New project. Rusty Crusty Flatty. VIDEO.

Mart

Mart

Well-known member
I bought a flathead that is in rather poor condition. I thought it might make an interesting little project and would be a good subject for a series of videos. Will it run? No chance. It might one day, who knows?

As far as I can tell, it's a circa 1940 "Mercury" motor, probably the truck/military version. It has the bigger bore. I think it has the earlier valve angles I'm not sure yet. If anyone can share any info on the spec please chime in.

I'm trying a new video editing software. See what you think. The audio could be better, that will be addressed in any future episodes. You might need to adjust the volume.

Hopefully people will find it interesting to see what comes of it.

Anyway check the video.

https://youtu.be/p92W9svmBBY

Mart.
 
Since it now is std 239 and has a rebuild tag i suspect it started out as a 221.
Do a pencil test on it...
Thought the setting of the caliper was the reading...so it´s a 239...my mistake..
 
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Weh I get an engine like this, that looks pretty good, but won't turn over. Iplace one bank vertical and por in a 1/2 inch of 50/50 mix )Asid tone and ATF, and let it set for a week or two. The do the other side. It might come apart much easier. Yes the lifting device is an angle iron with a hook on it.Mine has an old connecting rod in it. Been using it for over 50 years and it was given to me by a very old flathead builder. Hope to pass it along.
 
Thanks guys. The lift bracket wasn't my idea, I saw it mentioned somewhere. (Probably here).

The motor does have the extra port, but I can't see any plugs in the passages.

Mart.
 
Mart said:
Thanks guys. The lift bracket wasn't my idea, I saw it mentioned somewhere. (Probably here).

The motor does have the extra port, but I can't see any plugs in the passages.

Mart.
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I would guess that it started life as a military block with the oil filter/coolers on them. If so it would not have a plug in the horizonal passage, oil flow was controlled by a fitting pressed into the vertical passage.
 

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It doesn't have the raised intake manifold surface . . . so now I need to think a bit. How about the pan rails - does it have the "bulges" in the cast iron? Just curious as to what this really is???
 
I have a 99a block that is relieved in the same way. It has been sitting under a tarp at my sisters place for 15 years. Before I left it there I filled the bores and around the valves with marine grease. When I retire in a couple of years I will recover it and tear it down fully.

GB
 
You have my block Mart! Per my avatar, looks like the same right down to the cast iron timing gear. 1939 Canadian military 239 c.i. Mercury. I've attached a pdf file of a spreadsheet I used to determine my blocks' provenance.It may help you confirm what you have. The coolant passage configuration denotes this as what was termed a "Keystone" block which, apparently, was prized by many hot rodders back in the day. Coincidentally, my engine is currently just days away from start-up after god knows how many years! Good luck with this one Mart!

Glen
 

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Thanks Glen. We should have pretended yours is the "after" shot. that's a pretty useful spreadsheet, having all the pertinent facts all in one place.

Mine does fit the same description of yours, so 39/40 "mercury" but truck spec (relieved) and probably some sort of military history.

I can't see a 99 stamp on mine. I'm thinking it is Canadian because of the hole in the front of the block. (As shown in the video)

Thanks again.

Mart.
 
Mart: I'm pretty sure you'll find the '99' cast into the block just forward of the deck to the right of #1 cylinder. See the attached pic, lower left. In fact, I believe I caught a glimpse of it in your video.

Glen
 

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Glen, you're absolutely right. i have just been working on it for the last couple of hours and even then I did not notice it. I had to go back outside and have another look. It's there, alright, a 99 cast right in in raised letters.

Thanks for pointing me straight to it.

These old motors are always a voyage of discovery.

Mart.
 
Mart, I'd say that rusty flathead has as good or better chance of getting unstuck than either of mine do. Its going on 4 years since I've been pouring various mxtures down the carb and spark plug holes of the 49 Mercury truck engine and there is still no sign of movement there. Coming up on two years that I've had the "headless" 53 Merc engine on the stand with acetone+atf in any holes that will hold it I think the only way these will move is by unbolting every fastener on them.
 
Probably also got 99 cast on each centre exhaust passage, visible through bottom centre hole each side....
 
macdonge said:
Mart: I'm pretty sure you'll find the '99' cast into the block just forward of the deck to the right of #1 cylinder. See the attached pic, lower left. In fact, I believe I caught a glimpse of it in your video.

Glen
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Glen yep same as my one still under the tarp. These Canadian blocks were often used in WWII bren gun carriers, they were supposedly good blocks because they had a high nickel content.

GB
 
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