The Ford Barn

Mart · 12-24-2021, 08:50 AM

Hello! Welcome to Mart's Garage. This week I show the progress on the French Flatty 59A clone build. I also road test the truck and make a decision on that motor. A discovery makes me question that decision and wonder which path I should take, though.
Watch along and enjoy the journey with me.
Thanks for watching and may you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Mart.
https://youtu.be/5sHPo6mBkq0

sidevalve8ba · 12-24-2021, 12:33 PM

I've been enjoying your videos Mart. If it were me I'd take a chance on the French flattie. The extra torque of the 4" stroke is nice. I've used the tin foil balls on top of the piston trick in the past to check piston to head clearance and it worked for me. Happy holidays!

Ted

38 coupe · 12-24-2021, 02:13 PM

I second the idea of tin foil balls. I use a dot of grease on the piston to hold the tin foil balls in place. I like to check about three places per piston, the top of the piston, whichever edge looks like it will be tightest in the head, and the second tightest appearing for good measure. I have a friend who had to cut the heads on his motor down like yours to get them to clean up, then he massaged the domes with a grinder and flap disk to get clearance.

I would also look at the piston, wrist pin, and rod bearing for #4 to make sure the piston to head contact didn't damage anything.

mfirth · 12-24-2021, 02:16 PM

Mart, just for fun, check the French piston top to deck differences ?? Maybe this condition isn't that uncommon. And what about the crank in the 41 motor. INTERESTING stuff thanks 4 sharing. Merry Christmas & be safe !
mike

done4 · 12-24-2021, 03:19 PM

Thanks Mart, really enjoy the time spent with you. I’ll be interested in your decision on which engine you decide to go with. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

sugarmaker · 12-24-2021, 06:31 PM

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Mart,
Enjoyed the ride along in your truck! I think we might get along very well. Lot of similar ideas!
I think the cup of tea or two will set you on the right course.
If you have the skills to relieve the head to miss the piston, it seems that might be the lowest risk and might resolve the noisy engine issue too. If that doesn't work you always have the French engine to go in, on another day.
Love the truck!
Regards,
Chris

deuce5wndw · 12-25-2021, 09:21 AM

Merry Christmas Mart, sure enjoyed the video as usual. Why not put the french flathead in to test it and fix the 59 while driving?
Regards, Dale.

Mart · 12-26-2021, 05:05 AM

Thanks for all the feedback Fellas. Fear not, this saga will continue.

FWIW I did foil ball the pistons, but NOT ALL of them. Lesson learnt there. I don't want to give too much away as I want to let the videos tell the story. Sorry for clamming up on the details.

So thanks for watching, look out for the next chapter next Friday.
Mart.

12-24-2021, 08:50 AM	#1
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,749	French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! Hello! Welcome to Mart's Garage. This week I show the progress on the French Flatty 59A clone build. I also road test the truck and make a decision on that motor. A discovery makes me question that decision and wonder which path I should take, though. Watch along and enjoy the journey with me. Thanks for watching and may you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. Mart. https://youtu.be/5sHPo6mBkq0

12-24-2021, 12:33 PM	#2
sidevalve8ba Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 842	Re: French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! I've been enjoying your videos Mart. If it were me I'd take a chance on the French flattie. The extra torque of the 4" stroke is nice. I've used the tin foil balls on top of the piston trick in the past to check piston to head clearance and it worked for me. Happy holidays! Ted Last edited by sidevalve8ba; 12-25-2021 at 09:31 AM.

12-24-2021, 02:13 PM	#3
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! I second the idea of tin foil balls. I use a dot of grease on the piston to hold the tin foil balls in place. I like to check about three places per piston, the top of the piston, whichever edge looks like it will be tightest in the head, and the second tightest appearing for good measure. I have a friend who had to cut the heads on his motor down like yours to get them to clean up, then he massaged the domes with a grinder and flap disk to get clearance. I would also look at the piston, wrist pin, and rod bearing for #4 to make sure the piston to head contact didn't damage anything.

12-24-2021, 03:19 PM	#5
done4 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Union Pier MI Posts: 392	Re: French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! Thanks Mart, really enjoy the time spent with you. I’ll be interested in your decision on which engine you decide to go with. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. __________________ Still smokin tires and cigars

12-24-2021, 06:31 PM	#6
sugarmaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Albion PA Posts: 1,677	Re: French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mart, Enjoyed the ride along in your truck! I think we might get along very well. Lot of similar ideas! I think the cup of tea or two will set you on the right course. If you have the skills to relieve the head to miss the piston, it seems that might be the lowest risk and might resolve the noisy engine issue too. If that doesn't work you always have the French engine to go in, on another day. Love the truck! Regards, Chris __________________ 1932 AAB Truck 1953 Ford Jubilee 2015 Ford F250 SuperCrew Lots of Allis tractors Some Cub Cadets

12-24-2021, 02:16 PM	#4
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! Mart, just for fun, check the French piston top to deck differences ?? Maybe this condition isn't that uncommon. And what about the crank in the 41 motor. INTERESTING stuff thanks 4 sharing. Merry Christmas & be safe ! mike

12-25-2021, 09:21 AM	#7
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 900	Re: French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! Merry Christmas Mart, sure enjoyed the video as usual. Why not put the french flathead in to test it and fix the 59 while driving? Regards, Dale.

12-26-2021, 05:05 AM	#8
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,749	Re: French Flatty 59A clone Pt 3. Build continues. Plus Truck Motor Conundrum! Thanks for all the feedback Fellas. Fear not, this saga will continue. FWIW I did foil ball the pistons, but NOT ALL of them. Lesson learnt there. I don't want to give too much away as I want to let the videos tell the story. Sorry for clamming up on the details. So thanks for watching, look out for the next chapter next Friday. Mart.