Would you try to save this?

B

brayrod

Junior Member
This cylinder has a lot of pitting around the intake valve over to the cylinder. I can put a new seat in it and deck the block slightly but I am worried about this causing detonation or being a problem.
 

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If that is the worst of it why not use it?? I have removed lots of pistons like that and then had seats replaced.
 
I'd give it a try. I've saved some pretty bad blocks. Jave it back cleaned and pressure tested. Then bore it to see how bad the cyls are and install over size valves. Might make a real strong engine/ I've also put in oversize valves in stock engines just to save them
 
This is the worst cylinder. I don't have them all cleaned up but upon initial inspection the others look ok. Someone had left the sparkplugs out of this engine and it must have sit with water in the top end for a long time, everything in the bottom looks good. It is a 59 block but must be a replacment block as it's only a 3 1/16" bore (+0.040" now). There is a rebuilder tag on the bell housing, 0.010"/0.010"/0.040". It had "A" heads, crank mounted fan and 3 bolt distributor. Thanks for the advise.
 
I had the same problem on my 8BA, bored it at 3 5/16" and relieved the block around the valve to piston area. Made a mask and used my router with an end mill. Runs great. Also polished the ports. Zeke
 

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After you blast the rust off you may be pleasantly surprised. If not, it's a great candidate for relieving. I like Zeke's template.
 
Only as a last resort. There are others to be had.
I wouldn't throw it away, at least until a rainy day and had nothing else to do but play with it.
But I'm one of those guys that's been hoarding flatheads.
 
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Any of these old FH blocks are worth trying to save. If you don't care to spend the $$'s trying to save it, at least store it in case someone else is willing to spend the $$'s some time in the future.
 
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JM 35 Sedan said:
Any of these old FH blocks are worth trying to save. If you don't care to spend the $$'s trying to save it, at least store it in case someone else is willing to spend the $$'s some time in the future.
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I agree completely. I thing we are getting to point where it is going be necessary to start saving what would have been boat anchors a few years ago. I have one with a small pan rail Crack that I don't need now but I'm saving because I know down the road It will be worth fixing. I only have 4 flatheads right now but I will take anything I can grab now because it will only get harder to find one in the future.
 
Just following up on my initial post, didn't realize it had been almost 4 years since I tore this engine down! I did decide to save this block and just got it back from the machine shop today. I ended up putting 1.550" valves in it and relieving the block and it all cleaned up pretty good.


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I also had to tig weld with Ni rod some of the intake port so there would be enough material there to seal. Also relieved and drilled the lifter bores. This engine will be getting a 4.250" stroke SCAT crank and rods with 2.000" journals and Mahle forged 3 5/16" pistons. Also, a 3-71 blower on top with 2 Holley 94 carbs.

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