The Ford Barn

Lawrie · 01-07-2025, 02:21 AM

Been doing some engine out work on the 33,( checking bearings)
Taking the bonnet (hood ) off was always a two man job,
but neighbours and mates were all away so took the easy no lifting way out.
Engine bearings were all good, mains all at .0015 to .002
Rod bearings (floaters) like I put them in yesterday, the engine has about 75-80K on it, nearly all towing the c/van.
I will be going a long way out in the sticks later in April,( Boulia, Dajarra and Normanton in the gulf) so thought i better be safe than sorry.
My stock ignition system must be good as after hosing the engine and radiator down ,in the process drowning the distributor, it fired up just like normal.
I must be loosing a few marbles, as priming the oil up, poured all the oil into the engine, took my oil filter off and plugs out, wound it over till oil came out the filter mount, filled the filter and did more winding, and some more, no oil pressure, then find I had left off the sender wire, after refiting it, oil press 30 psi on the starter.

Lawrie

mercman from oz · 01-07-2025, 04:30 AM

Tim Ayers · 01-07-2025, 07:40 AM

Wow, that's great. Sounds like a quality engine build from the start. Glad to hear it and safe travels.

KiWinUS · 01-07-2025, 07:47 AM

Great job mate. Keep having fun Lawrie.

RKS.PA · 01-07-2025, 07:57 AM

Lawrie, leaving the wire off the sender is right up my alley in the "losing my marbles" department!!! Sounds like another epic trip in store for you. As always your pictures and narrative are outstanding!! Safe travels, and your engine continues to be an amazing flathead!!!

GB SISSON · 01-08-2025, 12:29 AM

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That's some good clearances for an engine built with 90 yr old technology and all those towing miles. Very impressive! I like your hood lifting slings! Are they a couple of old inner tubes?

Lawrie · 01-08-2025, 05:08 PM

Thanks ,
Slings are sort of fabric type ones, they are used in industry here, my eldest boy got them for me.A bit of an overkill, they are rated at two tons each.
yes on the clearances, I was going to replace the shells, but left them. in as they looked like new.
went out for a test drive yesterday, groceries, coffee and catch up with an old mate who has just turned 90, engine is like normal, smooth as.
I had built up a spare engine for the 33, from a 99a block 4in crank, new French rods and was going to install that, but thought as the bearings were good in the old engine and it uses hardly any oil ,(like 1/2 litre in 4500 kms) ,I put the old engine back in and set spare on the shelf.you can see the shelf behind the 33, there is a nice rebuilt 35 eng as a spare for the 34 sitting on it.
Lawrie

sugarmaker · 01-09-2025, 09:57 PM

Lawrie,
Great picture as you gently lift the hood off! May your travels be safe!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

Lawson Cox · 01-10-2025, 03:16 AM

Neat adaptation. Whatever works. LOL

Talkwrench · 01-11-2025, 07:21 AM

Where there's a will there's a way hey Lawrie...

flatford8 · 01-11-2025, 07:47 AM

Good news on your bearings……I’m looking forward to your next trip. Safe travels……..Mark

01-07-2025, 04:30 AM	#2
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 12,568	Re: Two man job done with one

01-07-2025, 07:40 AM	#3
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,226	Re: Two man job done with one Wow, that's great. Sounds like a quality engine build from the start. Glad to hear it and safe travels.

01-07-2025, 07:47 AM	#4
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,415	Re: Two man job done with one Great job mate. Keep having fun Lawrie.

01-07-2025, 07:57 AM	#5
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oro Valley, AZ Posts: 1,250	Re: Two man job done with one Lawrie, leaving the wire off the sender is right up my alley in the "losing my marbles" department!!! Sounds like another epic trip in store for you. As always your pictures and narrative are outstanding!! Safe travels, and your engine continues to be an amazing flathead!!!

01-08-2025, 12:29 AM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 6,202	Re: Two man job done with one Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That's some good clearances for an engine built with 90 yr old technology and all those towing miles. Very impressive! I like your hood lifting slings! Are they a couple of old inner tubes? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

01-08-2025, 05:08 PM	#7
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,728	Re: Two man job done with one Thanks , Slings are sort of fabric type ones, they are used in industry here, my eldest boy got them for me.A bit of an overkill, they are rated at two tons each. yes on the clearances, I was going to replace the shells, but left them. in as they looked like new. went out for a test drive yesterday, groceries, coffee and catch up with an old mate who has just turned 90, engine is like normal, smooth as. I had built up a spare engine for the 33, from a 99a block 4in crank, new French rods and was going to install that, but thought as the bearings were good in the old engine and it uses hardly any oil ,(like 1/2 litre in 4500 kms) ,I put the old engine back in and set spare on the shelf.you can see the shelf behind the 33, there is a nice rebuilt 35 eng as a spare for the 34 sitting on it. Lawrie

01-09-2025, 09:57 PM	#8
sugarmaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Albion PA Posts: 1,861	Re: Two man job done with one Lawrie, Great picture as you gently lift the hood off! May your travels be safe! Regards, Chris and Cheryl __________________ 1932 AAB Truck 1953 Ford Jubilee 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente 1966 Ford F100 2015 Ford F250 SuperCrew Lots of Allis tractors Some Cub Cadets

01-10-2025, 03:16 AM	#9
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,119	Re: Two man job done with one Neat adaptation. Whatever works. LOL __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

01-11-2025, 07:21 AM	#10
Talkwrench Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 2,708	Re: Two man job done with one Where there's a will there's a way hey Lawrie... __________________ *"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"*

01-11-2025, 07:47 AM	#11
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 3,024	Re: Two man job done with one Good news on your bearings……I’m looking forward to your next trip. Safe travels……..Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver…RIP