1946 ford

[46fordnut]

i have a stock 1946 ford flat 8 . i don't drive it very much. it tends to sit for at least one or two months maybe longer . how much and for how long should i let it just run for? thinking of like one every 2 or 3 weeks till the engine gets to operating temp. i just don't have the time to drive her right now. hope i can soon.

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by 46fordnut

i have a stock 1946 ford flat 8 . i don't drive it very much. it tends to sit for at least one or two months maybe longer . how much and for how long should i let it just run for? thinking of like one every 2 or 3 weeks till the engine gets to operating temp. i just don't have the time to drive her right now. hope i can soon.

I would just make sure the battery is disconnected and kept in a good state of charge, and not start the engine until you actually intend to drive it. More harm can result from frequent start ups that don't remove all the moisture from inside the engine.

[George49Ford]

Not sure how low your temp gets in Indiana, but I let my '49 (stock) sit through a whole winter here in Northern Nevada. I think the cold got to the valve stem seals because when spring came she would smoke pretty bad till she got warmed up. I ran some SeaFoam through the crankcase and she seems to ok now. Cranking once or twice a month should do you.

[flatjack9]

I agree with V-8 Bob. And by the way, flatheads do not have valve stem seals.

[deucemac]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

I agree with V-8 Bob. And by the way, flatheads do not have valve stem seals.

"49-'52 intakes do!

[jimTN]

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Brakes are another thing that suffer when the car sets for prolonged times, wheel cyl will stick and so on. Guess if you have the faux brake fluid they might just leak instead of sticking.

[George49Ford]

Flatjack9 - I've never worked on innards of a flathead so I can't argue that point with you. But when I was researching my smoking problem I thought I remember reading that the intake valves had a seal of some kind. Anyway, after a can of SeaFoam and a couple of weeks of gentle driving the smoking (until warmed up) went away - at least for now. I just make sure it gets started 2 or 3 times a month during the winter (no garage). Tnx, George M

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by George49Ford

Not sure how low your temp gets in Indiana, but I let my '49 (stock) sit through a whole winter here in Northern Nevada. I think the cold got to the valve stem seals because when spring came she would smoke pretty bad till she got warmed up. I ran some SeaFoam through the crankcase and she seems to ok now. Cranking once or twice a month should do you.

Our winters can be very cold, and this last one set below freezing/below 0 records. Several cars, including my fairly stock '51, stay in the unheated portion of my pole barn for months during winters without being started and with no problems.

Originally Posted by deucemac

"49-'52 intakes do!

The intake guides have a seal, not the valves.

[19Fordy]

Buy a battery tender and start your car at least once a week and let it warm up to operating temperature.