Ring size availability

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Hey guys,

I scored a semi fresh 59L flathead recently, it has a Weber F4 cam, adjustables, 4" crank and as BIG 3 7/16" bore. Everything looks good and I was wanting to give it a fresh hone and fresh rings.

Anyone know where I can get a set of these from ie Brand and supplier ? The pistons appear to be cast and have 3 7/16" stamped on their crowns.

Any suggestions ?

Thanks

BFD

[flatheadmurre]

Just call one of the major suppliers..
Give them boresize, ring width and inner diam of the piston ring groove.
They should be able to help you out.

[Bored&Stroked]

I'd sure have the bores checked and pressure check the block before putting any money into it. Also, you may want to sonic check it - so you know what cylinder wall thickness is left (heck, I'd love to know). I'm not a big fan of cast pistons, but if you got em - might as well run them and see how it goes. Me - if the block was good and I had good cylinder walls, would think about putting a bigger stroke crank in it, new forged pistons and making it some BIG cubes! But you know me - I can't help myself! Also, it is easy to spend YOUR money pondering these things. LOL

[rotorwrench]

Big bores make more power but if it's worn too loose then it's about as far as most would ever try to go without sleeves. 3 3/8" bore size is getting pretty big and anything past that is getting pretty thin on the cylinder walls.

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Yes guys I know its on the thin side, thats how it was when I picked it up.

But the engine is super clean in the valley, I will be removing the pan in the next day or so for a look see and take some measurements. I wish I has some dial calipers that I could aqueeze in between the bores and water jackets to mic er up; but from what I can see the bores don't look or feel super thin . Guess we'll find out soon enough

Dale if the bearings/clearances check out and it all looks good I'm gonna clean it thoroughly, hone the bores, clean again, add fresh rings, lap the valves, re assemble and so how we go. There wont be much money in it at all for the time being...everything looks pretty good so far. It will be interesting to see what happens

I am just wondering if anyone stocks this ring for a FH or is it a custom deal?

BFD

[rotorwrench]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

All it would take is a pin hole through a bore on one cylinder to ruin your plan. Check your piston clearance and pressure test it anyway. There may be a reason that thing has been setting around so long.

[Flathead]

Try Grant, they used to have them.

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Will email Grant thanks guys.

Interestingly, both Hastings and Grant both have 3 7/16" rings listed for 42-54 Mopar flathead 6 cyl engines, 3/32", 3/32" 5/32" but would need to see if the rings thickness and width are the same as what I have.

So upon opening her up, here is what I found :

super clean inside
has Elgin slugs, they look cast alum
really nice 91 A rods
1963 Weber Tool Co flywheel (WoW)
Weber F4 cam
hollow adjustables
balanced 4" Merc crank,
main bearings look new, will check rod bearings when it comes apart

Based on what I'm seeing its looks like its barely been run if st all. The exhaust ports have no carbon residue. The rings look great, will I be able to give the bores a quick ball hone and run them or should I replace?

I think I'm going to give it a ball hone, super clean up, fresh assembly lube, possible new rings, fresh gaskets etc and take a shot lol.

See pics

[GOSFAST]

One item to look into is the space between the piston pin bosses and the rod pin ends, hard to tell from your "photos" but it does appear a bit "tight" in there!

This issue we find on many of the Pontiacs we build using the stock (OEM) connecting rods and most aftermarket pistons!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. On the Flathead platform we like to see about .060" per side, that would be equal to 1/8" overall. Any lesser amount (per side) and I would recommend "narrowing" the rod eyes some as needed. Correcting this (if necessary) will have NO effect on the overall state of the balance!

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Originally Posted by GOSFAST

One item to look into is the space between the piston pin bosses and the rod pin ends, hard to tell from your "photos" but it does appear a bit "tight" in there!

This issue we find on many of the Pontiacs we build using the stock (OEM) connecting rods and most aftermarket pistons!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. On the Flathead platform we like to see about .060" per side, that would be equal to 1/8" overall. Any lesser amount (per side) and I would recommend "narrowing" the rod eyes some as needed. Correcting this (if necessary) will have NO effect on the overall state of the balance!

Hey Gary thanks for the input, the clearance is about .060" per side, the pic is deceiving

[KiWinUS]

Google Hastingpistonrings.com/ring-finder
They should have what you need

[Ronnie]

Just phone Hastings for tech info.
They will require the finished bore size and the combination you require that will be 2 compression rings @ 3/32 one flex vent oil ring @ 5/32" for a v8 I already checked and they make the rings mentioned and can put a set together no problem.


https://www.hastingspistonrings.com/ring-finder. Use the tab diametrical for 3 7/16"
Not very difficult at all.


R

[deuce5wndw]

91A rods? stroked 1/8??

[flatjack9]

Good catch, Deuce.

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Maybe Im wrong Deuce....is this a 91A rod ?

[flatjack9]

I would certainly say so. These are used when the crank is offset ground for a 1/4" stroke increase. They would generally be stamped 3/16 LC (low crown).

[deuce5wndw]

That is what I read. Should be floating bearings not insert bearings.

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Yep they are floating bearings and the slugs are stamped 3/16 LC. So I have a Merc crank - are we saying its been offset ground 1/8" ie: from a 4" stroke to a 4 1/8" stroke ?

The bottom of the piston skirt is pretty close to the crank counterweight/s and the sides of some of the rod nuts have been "relieved" a tad for pan rail clearance in the 59 series block.

Hmmm....

[flatjack9]

That's what you have.

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Dang - never even realised it was offset ground - that's 306ci . Potvin Eliminator time haha

[JWL]

Be sure to correct the orientation of the pin retainer clips. One I see pictured is wrong.

[KiWinUS]

Originally Posted by JWL

Be sure to correct the orientation of the pin retainer clips. One I see pictured is wrong.

Does not appear to be seated in groove all way either.
Have fun with it!
Cheers
Tony

[1931flathead]

Now I see what you guys are talking about

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Originally Posted by JWL

Be sure to correct the orientation of the pin retainer clips. One I see pictured is wrong.

The retainer clips are in their grooves, I'll be checking everything before it goes back together anyway

JWL how do you orient the clips?

[Ol' Ron]

I've built several engines with 3 7/16 bore one for the track and ine for the street. The street engine was built over 30 years ago and is still running. I used 21Z rods on the stroked crank.

[48-710]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

JWL want's you to put the clip ends at either 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock. This is a must esp with reving engines.
Gary

[48-710]

JWL wants you to put the circlip gaps at either 12 or 6 o'clock. A must with high revving engines

[Mart]

^^ that's a new one for me, I didn't know that. I learnt something today.

Good luck with the new motor. It's a biggie.

Mart.

[flatjack9]

With the gaps the way they are now, it is possible for them to compress and possible come loose.

[Blownflatheaddeuce]

Thanks for the info....Im used to using Spirolox, good stuff guys. Ron, can you remember how you cammed the street engine?

This will be going into my cut down Deuce roadster eventually.

BFD

[deuce5wndw]

Cool roadster!!!!

[Ol' Ron]

I know one had an Isky 1015 in it the other probably a 400jr for the track. But that was along time ago.

[Ronnieroadster]

So far I have had two complete 3 7/16 bore by 4 inch stroke Flatheads never tried to run one. I still have one complete engine available everything is in a 59A block anyone interested send me a PM.
Ronnieroadster