NormC
Member
Here is my story with my 36 Pickup. This is my entry into the Early Ford hobby. Happy, Happy, Happy!!! I purchased this truck 2 years ago with the intentions of it being a driving “mild” restoration. Restore while enjoying it. I'm not looking for a show car, but a driver.
It did not take long before I realized that this will be more than a mild restoration. The engine began to spit anti-freeze out the tail pipe. After much reading and research, I performed the usual recommended tasks of checking the head bolt torque, gaskets, etc. with no results. So I decided to take a look inside the cylinders with a boroscope and found a cracked cylinder wall. Well, the teardown started. I disassembled the engine down to piece parts to start inspecting all the removed parts. I felt that this should have been a fairly straight forward engine overhaul because my pistons where stamped STD. This is going to be quick fix, one sleeve and press on! WRONG! Now remember, I’m new to the Early Fords. I was taking measurements of the pistons and cylinder bores and the numbers seemed odd. I have a 36LB engine, but my bore is 3-3/16. Went back to the research mode to cleared my suspicion, and, this is NOT a standard bore engine. Well, what to do? So I took the block down to the machine shop for a magnaflux inspection. The answer was given, time for a different engine. The number 2 main bearing boss was cracked all the way through the gusset up to the cam.
I’m back to the research mode to decide which direction to go concerning the engine. I opted for a 59A and found one from a fellow Barner in St. Louis. The replacement engine “Slid” right in. Smooth running!
Now that engine is good, I will take a closer look to the remaining mechanicals. I’ve been driving and enjoying the truck, learning the noises and squeaks. On one of the drives, someone pulls right out in front of me! They couldn’t see me, really, 1936 Ford, how can you miss it? Next on the list, BRAKES!
It did not take long before I realized that this will be more than a mild restoration. The engine began to spit anti-freeze out the tail pipe. After much reading and research, I performed the usual recommended tasks of checking the head bolt torque, gaskets, etc. with no results. So I decided to take a look inside the cylinders with a boroscope and found a cracked cylinder wall. Well, the teardown started. I disassembled the engine down to piece parts to start inspecting all the removed parts. I felt that this should have been a fairly straight forward engine overhaul because my pistons where stamped STD. This is going to be quick fix, one sleeve and press on! WRONG! Now remember, I’m new to the Early Fords. I was taking measurements of the pistons and cylinder bores and the numbers seemed odd. I have a 36LB engine, but my bore is 3-3/16. Went back to the research mode to cleared my suspicion, and, this is NOT a standard bore engine. Well, what to do? So I took the block down to the machine shop for a magnaflux inspection. The answer was given, time for a different engine. The number 2 main bearing boss was cracked all the way through the gusset up to the cam.
I’m back to the research mode to decide which direction to go concerning the engine. I opted for a 59A and found one from a fellow Barner in St. Louis. The replacement engine “Slid” right in. Smooth running!
Now that engine is good, I will take a closer look to the remaining mechanicals. I’ve been driving and enjoying the truck, learning the noises and squeaks. On one of the drives, someone pulls right out in front of me! They couldn’t see me, really, 1936 Ford, how can you miss it? Next on the list, BRAKES!
