The Ford Barn

52 Ford · 05-26-2020, 02:32 PM

Can anyone give me a name and contact information for someone that can rebuild a Flathead V8 in or around the Pittsburgh area?

Phil Gillespie · 05-27-2020, 12:26 PM

I'm from down under so as others will suggest.
Try to make contact with Early Ford V/8 Club in your area. Someone on here will surely help. They will be able to hopefully put you in touch with a good tried and proven engine builder on your area with good experience with these Fllathead Engines.
The wrong choice can be costly and filled with many pitfalls as documented also on this site.
All the best,
Phil NZ

Ol' Ron · 05-27-2020, 01:00 PM

I discovered that most machineshops don't like the flatheads, because it takes so long to rebuild them and this brings the cost up. However, they do clean them (I like bake cleaning) then will deck. bore fit pistona and do a valve job at a reasonable price. The send it home to you. Thiscan save you a ton of money. Pock up a motors manual from the late 50's, and you'have all the information you need. Something to consider.

leon bee · 05-27-2020, 03:55 PM

What Ron suggests is what I do, over and over again for years. So much nicer than golf or fishing. Still gotta buy a lot of parts, but machine shop bill is easy to pay.

ford38v8 · 05-27-2020, 04:24 PM

Ol' Ron, and/or other engine rebuild experts: Flathead engine internals is one area that I am not familiar with. I have heard, though, that torquing the heads will make the cylinders egg shape. My question is: Is a proper cylinder bore job done with a plate torqued to the block or is that not a common way to do it?

Thanks, inquiring minds want to know!

Hoop · 05-27-2020, 04:44 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

"Old Redneck" is active on the Barn, knowledgable, and lives down in Waynesburg. "Jim B" also a barner lives in Wellsburg, WV. Send a private message here on the board to them. They should know someone.

What is your hometown? Very few folks live IN Pittsburgh ... but rather in the many surrounding towns.

KiWinUS · 05-27-2020, 04:54 PM

I use a "Torque plate" & recommend. As times moves on we find better processes for all engines , or many things in life.
Old Redneck for sure would be a great person in the area to advise , Gary GOSFAST & Ronnie Roadster may also only be a few hours from you & both know their stuff.
Cheers
Tony

52 Ford · 05-28-2020, 10:10 AM

Thank you for the input.

05-26-2020, 02:32 PM	#1
52 Ford Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 38	52 Flathead rebuild Can anyone give me a name and contact information for someone that can rebuild a Flathead V8 in or around the Pittsburgh area?

05-27-2020, 12:26 PM	#2
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,610	Re: 52 Flathead rebuild I'm from down under so as others will suggest. Try to make contact with Early Ford V/8 Club in your area. Someone on here will surely help. They will be able to hopefully put you in touch with a good tried and proven engine builder on your area with good experience with these Fllathead Engines. The wrong choice can be costly and filled with many pitfalls as documented also on this site. All the best, Phil NZ

05-27-2020, 01:00 PM	#3
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,857	Re: 52 Flathead rebuild I discovered that most machineshops don't like the flatheads, because it takes so long to rebuild them and this brings the cost up. However, they do clean them (I like bake cleaning) then will deck. bore fit pistona and do a valve job at a reasonable price. The send it home to you. Thiscan save you a ton of money. Pock up a motors manual from the late 50's, and you'have all the information you need. Something to consider.

05-27-2020, 03:55 PM	#4
leon bee Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Arkansas Posts: 611	Re: 52 Flathead rebuild What Ron suggests is what I do, over and over again for years. So much nicer than golf or fishing. Still gotta buy a lot of parts, but machine shop bill is easy to pay.

05-27-2020, 04:24 PM	#5
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,635	Re: 52 Flathead rebuild Ol' Ron, and/or other engine rebuild experts: Flathead engine internals is one area that I am not familiar with. I have heard, though, that torquing the heads will make the cylinders egg shape. My question is: Is a proper cylinder bore job done with a plate torqued to the block or is that not a common way to do it? Thanks, inquiring minds want to know! __________________ Alan

05-27-2020, 04:44 PM	#6
Hoop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 1,137	Re: 52 Flathead rebuild Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) "Old Redneck" is active on the Barn, knowledgable, and lives down in Waynesburg. "Jim B" also a barner lives in Wellsburg, WV. Send a private message here on the board to them. They should know someone. What is your hometown? Very few folks live IN Pittsburgh ... but rather in the many surrounding towns. __________________ "Remember that when it comes to intelligence, half of all of us are below average."

05-27-2020, 04:54 PM	#7
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,954	Re: 52 Flathead rebuild I use a "Torque plate" & recommend. As times moves on we find better processes for all engines , or many things in life. Old Redneck for sure would be a great person in the area to advise , Gary GOSFAST & Ronnie Roadster may also only be a few hours from you & both know their stuff. Cheers Tony

05-28-2020, 10:10 AM	#8
52 Ford Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 38	Re: 52 Flathead rebuild Thank you for the input.