Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-14-2020, 11:41 AM   #1
vernlee
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Southern Michigan
Posts: 77
Default 1952 stuck flathead

I bought a 52 F100 flathead complete engine but froze up , I pulled the heads cylinders and pistons look very good , very clean no carbon , I fought the valve removal for two weeks , finally got them out today what a JOB , put a socket on the crankshaft pulley and pop it freed up turns smooth and easy , I kinda assumed it was the valve train that was hanging everything up , now my question , should I go ahead a pull the oil pan and check everything , or just work on the top end with new valves , seats , springs ect .and go for it ? , motor still had clean oil in the original air cleaner and oil filter , crankcase oil looked good also , no signs of moister or anything , motor had been setting for 25 years , what do you think ?

Vern
vernlee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 11:51 AM   #2
GOSFAST
Senior Member
 
GOSFAST's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,052
Default Re: 1952 stuck flathead

Quote:
Originally Posted by vernlee View Post
I bought a 52 F100 flathead complete engine but froze up , I pulled the heads cylinders and pistons look very good , very clean no carbon , I fought the valve removal for two weeks , finally got them out today what a JOB , put a socket on the crankshaft pulley and pop it freed up turns smooth and easy , I kinda assumed it was the valve train that was hanging everything up , now my question , should I go ahead a pull the oil pan and check everything , or just work on the top end with new valves , seats , springs ect .and go for it ? , motor still had clean oil in the original air cleaner and oil filter , crankcase oil looked good also , no signs of moister or anything , motor had been setting for 25 years , what do you think ?

Vern
Hi Vern, now's the time to put all new parts in there? Not really all that expensive considering.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. I would also put in some bronze-lined guides, they'll last forever and eliminate any chance of "hanging" a valve over time, been there, done it!
GOSFAST is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-14-2020, 12:44 PM   #3
rockfla
Senior Member
 
rockfla's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,926
Default Re: 1952 stuck flathead

Some plastic gauge, rotate the motor and about 2 hours of your time is "Cheap" insurance both in not only the piece of mind of "knowing" BUT also making "SURE" everything is jam up and jelly tight!!!!
rockfla is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 02:41 PM   #4
alanwoodieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,962
Default Re: 1952 stuck flathead

It has been my experience that the valve train is most likely the problem with a stuck flathead, cast iron valve guides and steel valves. oil drains out of the valve guides and rust sticks the valves to the guides. I would at the least pull the pan and check the connecting rods for wear with plastigauge . clean the oil pan/screen if they check ok and go for it!
alanwoodieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 02:42 PM   #5
cas3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: sw minnesota
Posts: 4,541
Default Re: 1952 stuck flathead

the clean looking oil is an illusion. after a long time the dirt settles to the bottom of the pan, and the oil looks new again
cas3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 06:07 PM   #6
Ggmac
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Lake worth Florida
Posts: 1,073
Default Re: 1952 stuck flathead

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Id hook up a battery and mechanical oil pressure gauge , change oil and check oil pressure while cranking . If good and you cant move the pistons down while each has just gone past TDC , id say , run it . Check after running for leaks = cracked block . Unless of course you have good supply of money for a rebuild.
Ggmac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 06:44 PM   #7
vernlee
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Southern Michigan
Posts: 77
Default Re: 1952 stuck flathead

Sounds like good advise from all , think at the very least I'll pull the pan and check the oil pickup screen and just have a look .
vernlee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2020, 10:12 PM   #8
GB SISSON
Senior Member
 
GB SISSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Orcas Island Washington
Posts: 4,843
Default Re: 1952 stuck flathead

Plastigauge is a great invention. Rods and mains for sure. For the most part the engines I have checked were in excellent shape. It's a great feeling seeing that wide stripe when you remove the cap!
__________________
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, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)
GB SISSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:41 AM.