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Old 03-28-2026, 12:40 PM   #1
gwistrup
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Default Flathead rebuild manual

I have removed the engine from my 1940 Ford Tudor Sedan to give it a mild re-freshening. The engine ran well when I removed it but it leaked a lot of oil. I noticed some fresh anti-freeze stains at the rear of the cylinder heads that finally convinced me to go through the engine. Who makes a good repair manual that gives specifications and rebuild instructions? Where would you recommend I get the parts to rebuild the engine? I am concerned about the low quality parts out there. Thank you, Gil
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Old 03-30-2026, 08:25 AM   #2
corvette8n
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Default Re: Flathead rebuild manual

Get yourself an old Motors repair manual(flea market,eBay,reprints) this will help with the procedure. You don’t say what part of the country you’re from but you will need a machine shop to bore the block. Depending upon the wear of the cylinders you need to bore to the next available size. We have a couple of vendors on the barn who could help with parts.
Third Gen auto and VanPelts are some that come to mind.
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Old 03-30-2026, 11:48 AM   #3
Flathead Fever
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Default Re: Flathead rebuild manual

I also agree on the Motors Repair Manual. I have a 1948 one that is pretty good. It would have been about all that was available back then. It's big thick hardbound repair manual with sections on each engine. Ford also made some small books, one for engines, trans... Those are also really good. The 1948 Motors Repair Manual belonged to my grandfather. between what he, my dad and I have assembled takes up an entire room of Ford info. I have most of the newer flathead books people have written over the years that deal with the speed equipment. I think I have just about every magazine from 1932 on up that has flathead stories. I also collect speed equipment catalogs.
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Old 03-30-2026, 11:53 AM   #4
rotorwrench
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Default Re: Flathead rebuild manual

I use the Ford of Canada shop manual. It's lot more information in it than any of the other ones by Ford Dearborn. Some have a little different green cover with the V8 bones but they're the same manual.
https://www.themotorbookstore.com/19...yABEgLUj_D_BwE
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Old 03-30-2026, 12:30 PM   #5
Newc
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Default Re: Flathead rebuild manual

a PVC system will create a negative internal pressure and eleminate oil leaks.. Newc
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Old 03-30-2026, 02:55 PM   #6
tubman
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Default Re: Flathead rebuild manual

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Old "Motor" manuals pop up on eBay quite frequently. Over the last couple of years, I have purchased two, one from '53 to cover the flatheads, and one from '60 for the old SBC's, Hemi's, and Rockets I have accumulated. They are quite complete and have individual sections covering things like tune-up, power brakes, automatic transmissions, etc.

I just looked and there is a 1950 edition (which would cover both the early and late flatheads) listed for $12.50 that looks to be in nice shape.
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Old 03-30-2026, 05:09 PM   #7
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Default Re: Flathead rebuild manual

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
Old "Motor" manuals pop up on eBay quite frequently. Over the last couple of years, I have purchased two, one from '53 to cover the flatheads, and one from '60 for the old SBC's, Hemi's, and Rockets I have accumulated. They are quite complete and have individual sections covering things like tune-up, power brakes, automatic transmissions, etc.

I just looked and there is a 1950 edition (which would cover both the early and late flatheads) listed for $12.50 that looks to be in nice shape.
The earlier 11th edition (1947) of MoToRs contains 100% of the info back to 1935. The !2th edition begins to edit the earlier info to keep the book a manageable size. Also, if you want later model info, get a manual published the following year, not the same year.
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Old 04-05-2026, 11:19 AM   #8
gwistrup
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Default Re: Flathead rebuild manual

Thank you for your help gentlemen. I will investigate a Motor manual.
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