J1808 8BA Project start

R

RobWi

Member
Have my '47 59A at the machine shop getting hot tanked and chemical bathed. Most likely that will become a long term DIY project because of the severity of the cracks in the cylinders.

So I am starting on the '50 8BA. spent the day dismantling the generator, fan assembly, carburetor, and scrapping... and I really mean scrapping as much crud off the engine as I could. Whatever this engine came from, it was not a very clean environment. The caked on stuff was almost an inch thick in places. Took hours. All the while I had taken the plugs out and filled the cylinders with ATF/Acetone as a precaution. Four hours latter, I decided to see if the engine was free. Surprisingly, I could spin the engine with one hand and a crowbar.

The question is, should I reinstall the carburetor, flywheel, and starter then try to see if it will fire? Or should I continue to tear it apart?
 

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  • 8BA Dissassembly fan and generator taken off 100826.jpg
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  • 8BA Start Dissassembly 100826_2.jpg
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RobWi said:
Have my '47 59A at the machine shop getting hot tanked and chemical bathed. Most likely that will become a long term DIY project because of the severity of the cracks in the cylinders.

So I am starting on the '50 8BA. spent the day dismantling the generator, fan assembly, carburetor, and scrapping... and I really mean scrapping as much crud off the engine as I could. Whatever this engine came from, it was not a very clean environment. The caked on stuff was almost an inch thick in places. Took hours. All the while I had taken the plugs out and filled the cylinders with ATF/Acetone as a precaution. Four hours latter, I decided to see if the engine was free. Surprisingly, I could spin the engine with one hand and a crowbar.

The question is, should I reinstall the carburetor, flywheel, and starter then try to see if it will fire? Or should I continue to tear it apart?
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cas3 said:
I always like to run em if I can. Its good entertainment.
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I'm with Cas on this. No doubt we both agree about his 'entertainment' remark, though he and I and uncounted others have 'started them in the field' and just run them as is. Good entertainment AND good transportation. Today's flatheader generally has more cash on hand and is likely to opt for a qualified machine shop along with boxes of brand new 'store bought' parts.
 
I'm with Skip and GB. The last two "relics" i did this with (a '51 Merc and a '56 Chrysler hemi) turned out to be excellent engines the way they were. And I'm with "cas3" about the "entertainment" factor. It's one of the biggest kicks there is for me. One thing, have a switch on the ignition so you can shut it down immediately in case of funny noises, excessive smoke, or FIRE.
 
kurt v said:
Who did you find to do the work ?
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Kirkpatrick Racing Engines out of Waukesha, WI.

Of course, he told me the engine is junk, but...hey, when there is a will there is a way. Will use it for a mock up and build a car around it, for now. Will also experiment with salvaging it over the winter. Grind out the rough parts of the cylinders, find the ends of the cracks and drill 1/8 hole at the terminus of them, tap and plug. Then go from there. As long as two cylinders are not next to each other with cracks across from each other, believe I can still sleeve it. Do not believe there is any machine shops within driving distance of me that would work with my experiment. H & H would try, but the shipping to and from is more than what I can buy a used Van Norman 777 and do it myself. So we will see.

On the subject of this thread, if this engine starts, that will be cool, just hope it does not damage it in anyway. Then I will dismantle it and go from there.
 
GB SISSON said:
I'm with Cas on this. No doubt we both agree about his 'entertainment' remark, though he and I and uncounted others have 'started them in the field' and just run them as is. Good entertainment AND good transportation. Today's flatheader generally has more cash on hand and is likely to opt for a qualified machine shop along with boxes of brand new 'store bought' parts.
Click to expand...

As you can tell from my cradles, I am more of DIY type and want my finger nails to get dirty.
 
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