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My next flathead build? 7 Attachment(s)
Acquired this 59A? industrial engine yesterday. Posted a few pics in this thread.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338208 It was used locally as a ski lift on some private property probably 70 yrs ago or more according to the seller (son of the original owner/operator). He says it ran when “parked”, which I’m guessing was close to 70 years ago. He says though it was always covered, and there was a large steel cover that seemed to fit the engine stand, but they were keeping it. He felt positive that it wasn’t seized, but we’ll see. I will start digging into it over the next few weeks as time permits. |
Re: My next flathead build? 7 Attachment(s)
Some more pics. Has some sort of belt-driven “governor” (last pic) that is connected to the throttle. If anyone knows what it is, or how it works. Please chime in. I’m hoping the aluminum heads are salvageable. If they are, I might swap them into my other flathead. This just might be another gem in the rough. Weird how I ended up with two flatheads used as industrial engines.
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Re: My next flathead build? Thats a complete and interesting set up . Good luck and I’ll be following.
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Re: My next flathead build? Best of luck with it . . . looks like some fun! That is one big ole' industrial generator - have never seen one like it. Hopefully you can get the heads off of it without too many swear-words . . . that will probably be a bit of "fun" to say the least! I'll be watching and working with you vicariously! LOL
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Re: My next flathead build? That governor is similar to others added to automotive engines used to power farm equipment or other steady rpm applications. Inside the gov unit are weights attached to a shaft,balanced by a spring, and when the weights spin they pull against the spring which in turn opens or closes the throttle to maintain preset rpm. That way varying load doesn't change engine speed or require an operator to control the throttle.
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Re: My next flathead build? Ok. Thanks. That makes sense based on its’ use.
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Re: My next flathead build? 3 Attachment(s)
There seems to be a thermostat(s) under all that rust. Nuts came off the head studs easily on the PS along with some studs. Qty 10 studs came out with the nuts. All the threads on the studs are in great shape so far. Next are the plugs.
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Re: My next flathead build? Quote:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1714939096 https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1714939096 |
Re: My next flathead build? I had an industrial flathead on a trailer mounted welder in the early 90s. It was always overheating. During one of those times when "I'm gonna get out of this flathead thing" occured, I gave the engine to a local guy for his '40 ford. Turned out to be crack free and had that beautufully executed factory relief. I'm hoping your's has it too. I may still have some of the 'industrial' parts for it in my attic.
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Re: My next flathead build? 2 Attachment(s)
The PS head started coming off easily towards the front of the block, but of course there had to be one stud with crud/corrosion around it. I slowly worked my way towards the rear of the head, prying on it while driving in some slim carpenters tool (not sure what they’re called). I could see the stud was moving with the head, while all other studs remained still. Placed the nut back on the problematic stud and began tapping it with a small hammer. That loosened up some crud, and now I could see a gap around the stud and the hole in the head. However, prying on the head still causes the stud to move with it. Not liking what I’m seeing, I decided to call it quits for the day. Thinking I might just weld the nut to the stud and hope it comes out easily like some of the others.
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Re: My next flathead build? 3 Attachment(s)
Some pics of the plugs. All look good except second last one from rear of block.
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Re: My next flathead build? You're gonna leave us dangling til tomorrow to see what's under there? I probably know what most of those carpenter tools are, but I use a series of hardwood wedges. Just be mindful that there will be some open valves you can hit with a tool or a wedge.
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Re: My next flathead build? Quote:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1714948473 |
Re: My next flathead build? When you get a chance can you post a couple pictures of the big generator and matching regulator? I have a small collection of big generators for the 8BA era stuff, but nothing from the 41-48 era.
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Re: My next flathead build? Quote:
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Re: My next flathead build? 5 Attachment(s)
Got a bit further, but still haven’t tried to get the head off. Surprised at how easily all of the bolts/nuts are coming off even though some look really corroded. Thought the intake you just pop off, but it’s stuck on the two locating dowels/pins. Being really stubborn. Going to leave it for a bit.
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Re: My next flathead build? 3 Attachment(s)
Just about have the DS head off, but she’s stuck on one stud. Always one problem child…
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Re: My next flathead build? Haha! I only have two (girls), but they’re good for the most part (now that they are out of the house). Well, technically, youngest just finished first year of engineering, and is back for the summer.
Good news! Got the DS head with a piece of wood used as a lever. What do you folks think? Of course, being the idiot I am, I left one bolt on the intake manifold, once removed, it popped off. Yep, I even said to myself beforehand to make sure I got them all. |
Re: My next flathead build? 7 Attachment(s)
Damn! What happened to the pics? Too many attachment windows open.
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Re: My next flathead build? The sludge is super thick in the valley. I can scoop it out with my fingers. Noticed the block isn’t relieved like my C59A block. Interesting also is the intake is different with the filler neck, and mine also had the crab style distributor. Not sure what you call this style distributor. Can’t see any cracks, and cylinder walls look good.
Next is to weld on a nut or two on the PS studs to see if that makes a difference in getting the studs out and the head off. |
Re: My next flathead build? That looks crusty and gunky, but so far nothing looks catastrophic. I would check the oil pan rail for freeze cracks before getting too excited, but I'm cautiously optimistic for you.
The head looks surprisingly good, can you tell if the internal water passages look solid? |
Re: My next flathead build? Will get back at it later this morning. Need to get the PS head off next. Then get the trans pulled, and then get it on an engine stand, but I need to get at least one of the exh manifolds off to mount it to the stand.
Honestly, it doesn’t look too bad. A bit of water came out from the block heater coolant hoses, but that is my fear - cracked block along the pan rails. |
Re: My next flathead build? 4 Attachment(s)
Finally got the engine free from the stand and in my garage. Pulled the starter and PS exh manifold shine it was still on the stand in my trailer. Got one stubborn bolt left on the DS exh manifold (front bottom).
Welded a nut to the stubborn head stud and no luck. Tried two more times, and nut/weld just breaks off, and now threads are getting beat up. The crud between the head and the stud is disappearing a bit I guess burning off from the heat developed during welding which is good, but not sure how to proceed. It feels like the stud is really stuck in the block as it not even budging. Going to remove the trans next and see if I can get it in my engine stand. Noticed it has the same rare truck oval clean out as my other flathead which is a nice bonus. Hers is all the dirt that came with the stand. Lol! Oh yeah, the oil actually looks clean on the dipstick! |
Re: My next flathead build? If you don't need the head, then you might use a hole-saw and just saw down around the stud. It is a brutal way, but sometimes yah gots to do what yah gots to do! ;)
BTW, I've seen oil like that . . . thinking how nice and clean it was. Then I found out that the ole' non-detergent oil had separated in the pan and there was a nice thick layer of sludge to greet me on the bottom! My bet, that is what you'll find . . . |
Re: My next flathead build? I want to keep the head as if it is like the other, will be in excellent condition. I agree, there will be lots of sludge in the pan just like the valley, but it was nice to “clean” oil on the dipstick. It seems to be shaping up that this engine is actually in very good shape. Fingers crossed.
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Re: My next flathead build? I would heat stud red hot let cool pb blaster, next day same thing after couple days block of wood and heavy hammer , wack the head front to back and up and down, not to kill it just shock it. It will come lose just takes time.
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Re: My next flathead build? my next Flathead build (already started) will consist of a small displacement built will all flathead parts except the carb distributor ar generator. The engine will have adaquit power Long longevity and low Cost under 3K$ if you have a good block. any block from late 38 thru 53 will do. Stay tuned/
Gramps |
Re: My next flathead build? 6 Attachment(s)
Will do. Thanks.
Got it on my engine stand and of course made a royal mess when I pulled the pan. I removed the large plug first, but nothing came out, so figured there wasn’t much in there. Lol! Snapped a bolt that was in the inlet of the PS water pump, but was using the impact. Other one came out easily by hand. Not sure why I decided to use the impact. Impeller on DS was disintegrated! Looks like some kind of white metal. Never seen that before. Impeller on PS pump was intact but with some holes from corrosion. Good news is there are no cracks along the pan rails! I think this block is good, but only a thorough cleaning and pressure test will confirm that. I want to get the crank, rods, and pistons out, and that will be it for a while. All three main caps are wired together. Interesting. |
Re: My next flathead build? I have a question about the blocks used in the above post. I am fimilar with the 37 blocks and the 39 blocks but not sure about the 38 blocks at onepoin they had the small main 2.398?? then switched the the standard 2.498 crank Mamery is alittle vague!!
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Re: My next flathead build? 1 Attachment(s)
I think it’s a 59A block Ron. Pic of the casting number.
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Re: My next flathead build? 4 Attachment(s)
Forgot to post pics of the water pump impeller(s).
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Re: My next flathead build? I Waz just thinking of the 38 block??
G |
Re: My next flathead build? 1 Attachment(s)
From VanPelt. Says, from 32-26, crank journals were 1.999”, and in 37 they increased to 2.399”. Their site doesn’t mention crank size journals for anything post 37 that I can find.
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Re: My next flathead build? 2 Attachment(s)
Noticed this hose and “cup” assy on the trans. What’s this for? I think my other flathead had the same same trans, but not this setup IIRC. Will need to check though.
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Re: My next flathead build? 4 Attachment(s)
Also, looking at the pistons, and the carbon ring at the top of the bore, they appear to much lower below the deck at full compression than my other flathead. My other flathead was bored 0.060” (bored 0.040” previously at some point), and I just got Egge 0.060” pistons, but they come up much higher in the bore. Curious to know if these new Egge pistons have dramatically increased the CR over stk in my other engine?
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Re: My next flathead build? That is a interesting combination of parts. In the USA the core plugs in the oil pan rail were phased out in late 1940 with the switch to the "raised deck" blocks for 41 model year. The combination of round center water hole with upside down keystone bottom center water hole indicates a factory 239 pre-war or war time engine. Does the block pass the "pencil test"?
I would love to find an complete oil pan like that, they don't seem to have wandered south to Texas much at all. |
Re: My next flathead build? Quote:
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Re: My next flathead build? 4 Attachment(s)
Almost there. She’s stuck on another stud. Patience is the key I guess…
Does this mean it passes the pencil test? Lol! My other C59A block is the same. |
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