The Ford Barn

excalibur · 08-06-2021, 07:53 AM

I know this has been discussed earlier BUT, I have a 1937 flathead v8 in a 1941 pickup. The cylinder compression is 60 to 65 psi, dry in all of the cylinders. the oil pressure drops from 20 to 25 psi cold to 5 or less after it warms up. I need to rebuild it. Looking for a place that rebuilds flatheads in the Detroit area. Motor City flatheads does not exist to the best of my knowledge. Any info would be appreciated.
It might take me a while to get back to this site to check for replies so thank you all for your help in advance.

Jack E/NJ · 08-06-2021, 07:57 AM

How's it run?

excalibur · 08-06-2021, 02:01 PM

It runs ok but smokes a bit.

CaliforniaBorn36 · 08-06-2021, 02:22 PM

How much are you driving it? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It could run for years as is. Once you open it up you don't know what you will find.

Jack E/NJ · 08-06-2021, 04:21 PM

>>>The cylinder compression is 60 to 65 psi, dry in all of the cylinders.>>>

How about giving one of them a few oil squirts to see what happens?

Veeder · 08-07-2021, 05:25 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you only drive it very rarely and it does not eliminate mosquitoes I vote drive it

excalibur · 08-07-2021, 06:30 AM

The oil pressure is what scares me the most. I have valvoline VR1 20W50 oil in it now.

Jack E/NJ · 08-07-2021, 07:35 AM

>>>the oil pressure drops from 20 to 25 psi cold to 5 or less after it warms up.>>>20W50>>>

Still not too bad even if using a mechanical guage.

Kurt in NJ · 08-07-2021, 07:45 AM

In the service bulletins it lists "normal' oil pressure as 30 lbs at 2600 rpm

08-06-2021, 07:53 AM	#1
excalibur Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 17	1937 Flathead I know this has been discussed earlier BUT, I have a 1937 flathead v8 in a 1941 pickup. The cylinder compression is 60 to 65 psi, dry in all of the cylinders. the oil pressure drops from 20 to 25 psi cold to 5 or less after it warms up. I need to rebuild it. Looking for a place that rebuilds flatheads in the Detroit area. Motor City flatheads does not exist to the best of my knowledge. Any info would be appreciated. It might take me a while to get back to this site to check for replies so thank you all for your help in advance.

08-06-2021, 07:57 AM	#2
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: 1937 Flathead How's it run?

08-06-2021, 02:01 PM	#3
excalibur Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 17	Re: 1937 Flathead It runs ok but smokes a bit.

08-06-2021, 02:22 PM	#4
CaliforniaBorn36 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 427	Re: 1937 Flathead How much are you driving it? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It could run for years as is. Once you open it up you don't know what you will find.

08-06-2021, 04:21 PM	#5
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: 1937 Flathead >>>The cylinder compression is 60 to 65 psi, dry in all of the cylinders.>>> How about giving one of them a few oil squirts to see what happens?

08-07-2021, 05:25 AM	#6
Veeder Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CT Posts: 394	Re: 1937 Flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you only drive it very rarely and it does not eliminate mosquitoes I vote drive it

08-07-2021, 06:30 AM	#7
excalibur Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 17	Re: 1937 Flathead The oil pressure is what scares me the most. I have valvoline VR1 20W50 oil in it now.

08-07-2021, 07:35 AM	#8
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: 1937 Flathead >>>the oil pressure drops from 20 to 25 psi cold to 5 or less after it warms up.>>>20W50>>> Still not too bad even if using a mechanical guage.

08-07-2021, 07:45 AM	#9
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: 1937 Flathead In the service bulletins it lists "normal' oil pressure as 30 lbs at 2600 rpm