The Ford Barn

Ron Pilger · 11-25-2021, 11:20 AM

In a moment of boredom or ambition, not sure which, I pulled the heads and intake off of a '37 221 flathead which had been dead weight for at least 25 years. It looked surprisingly clean and maintained. 'Cleaned up the top end as best we could, found some better used gaskets, a rebuilt 97, a good starter and a temporary fuel supply line. Be darned if the old girl didn't fire right up. Couldn't, of course, run it for long without water but did run it for 30 seconds, several times, over a two-day period. No shakes or rattles, obvious. I'm thinking it might be time to change the oil, again, and plant this flathead in an unrestored, but drivable, 1934 Ford couple that I own. I wonder about a rear seal that has sat for that many moons? There would be an obvious advantage to pulling the pan off and cleaning it before the potential transplant. Remind me: can the rear seal be replaced easily or does the crank have to be removed for this procedure? 'Rookie question to many, I'm sure. Thanks for your expertise.

38bill · 11-25-2021, 11:54 AM

I believe the '37 221 has a rear slinger not a seal.

cadillac512 · 11-25-2021, 02:50 PM

Shouldn't have a seal, as 38bill advised. Don't overfill the oil and it should do ok. However, pulling the pan and cleaning out any sludge is always a good plan. You may have a nice runner there!

Jack E/NJ · 11-25-2021, 04:23 PM

>>>Don't overfill the oil and it should do ok.>>>

Absolutely. Full is when my dip stick reads a half to a full quart down even in my new stuff.

Ron Pilger · 11-25-2021, 05:08 PM

Thanks, gents. I should have remembered the rope to slinger switchover. Too used to 34 model year technology! Ron

richard crow · 11-26-2021, 09:05 AM

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the 37 ford eng is the best flathead ford ever bilt

Anteek29 · 11-26-2021, 12:28 PM

What year did the switch from slinger to rope occur?

Jack E/NJ · 11-26-2021, 02:13 PM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64508

Zeke3 · 11-26-2021, 03:40 PM

If you take the oil pan off, I would recommend that you change the expansion plugs on the oil pan gasket surface. There are four of them and they rot from the inside out.

38bill · 11-26-2021, 04:14 PM

Never say never. My 59ab came with a slinger in it. Found out as soon as I tilted the motor while pulling it. Oil everywhere.

11-25-2021, 11:20 AM	#1
Ron Pilger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camrose, Alberta Posts: 396	rear rope seal In a moment of boredom or ambition, not sure which, I pulled the heads and intake off of a '37 221 flathead which had been dead weight for at least 25 years. It looked surprisingly clean and maintained. 'Cleaned up the top end as best we could, found some better used gaskets, a rebuilt 97, a good starter and a temporary fuel supply line. Be darned if the old girl didn't fire right up. Couldn't, of course, run it for long without water but did run it for 30 seconds, several times, over a two-day period. No shakes or rattles, obvious. I'm thinking it might be time to change the oil, again, and plant this flathead in an unrestored, but drivable, 1934 Ford couple that I own. I wonder about a rear seal that has sat for that many moons? There would be an obvious advantage to pulling the pan off and cleaning it before the potential transplant. Remind me: can the rear seal be replaced easily or does the crank have to be removed for this procedure? 'Rookie question to many, I'm sure. Thanks for your expertise.

11-25-2021, 11:54 AM	#2
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,165	Re: rear rope seal I believe the '37 221 has a rear slinger not a seal.

11-25-2021, 02:50 PM	#3
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 921	Re: rear rope seal Shouldn't have a seal, as 38bill advised. Don't overfill the oil and it should do ok. However, pulling the pan and cleaning out any sludge is always a good plan. You may have a nice runner there! __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

11-25-2021, 04:23 PM	#4
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: rear rope seal >>>Don't overfill the oil and it should do ok.>>> Absolutely. Full is when my dip stick reads a half to a full quart down even in my new stuff.

11-25-2021, 05:08 PM	#5
Ron Pilger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camrose, Alberta Posts: 396	Re: rear rope seal Thanks, gents. I should have remembered the rope to slinger switchover. Too used to 34 model year technology! Ron

11-26-2021, 09:05 AM	#6
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,769	Re: rear rope seal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) the 37 ford eng is the best flathead ford ever bilt

11-26-2021, 12:28 PM	#7
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: rear rope seal What year did the switch from slinger to rope occur? __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-26-2021, 02:13 PM	#8
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: rear rope seal https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64508

11-26-2021, 03:40 PM	#9
Zeke3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 1,406	Re: rear rope seal If you take the oil pan off, I would recommend that you change the expansion plugs on the oil pan gasket surface. There are four of them and they rot from the inside out.

11-26-2021, 04:14 PM	#10
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,165	Re: rear rope seal Never say never. My 59ab came with a slinger in it. Found out as soon as I tilted the motor while pulling it. Oil everywhere.