The Ford Barn

Wareagle · 10-08-2015, 06:46 PM

Fired the old girl up today and noticed some seepage around the head. This could explain the water in the oil that I noticed on the last oil change. Compression readings today were all around 53 to 58. Think I should do the high compression head also. What is the best head to go with? I've read a lot here but can't decide on the correct head. Any input is greatly appreciated.

TinCup · 10-08-2015, 06:51 PM

I have rarely seen an A head that didn't seep. Re-Tourque and see how that goes.

1930artdeco · 10-08-2015, 07:27 PM

That is nothing. Agree with Tincup retorque. How many miles on it?

Mike

Wareagle · 10-08-2015, 07:32 PM

Don't no mileage. Car set for 15 yrs. after restoration was started. Runs good but I get some moisture in the oil.

Nabco · 10-08-2015, 07:34 PM

Where abouts are you in Central Ohio Wareagle

Wareagle · 10-08-2015, 07:46 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Zanesville. Got several A's over here. Our local club is headed to Dublin next week.

Tom Wesenberg · 10-09-2015, 01:40 AM

Short engine runs will leave moisture in the oil.

If you go for a high compression head, my choice would be the Snyder's 5.5 with a copper gasket and Copper Coat sprayed on both sides.

Mitch//pa · 10-09-2015, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Short engine runs will leave moisture in the oil.

If you go for a high compression head, my choice would be the Snyder's 5.5 with a copper gasket and Copper Coat sprayed on both sides.

What Tom said on all accounts...
Make sure you get the new head surfaced as there are reports that they come through twisted.

Wareagle · 10-09-2015, 08:05 AM

Thanks guys. Think I'll call Snyder's today and order one. Can any machine shop check it for flatness?

J Franklin · 10-09-2015, 12:38 PM

If any machine shop can't, RUN!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-09-2015, 01:04 PM

For a car that has been stored a long time, I first Torque the head & add a jar of the plain old original BARS-LEAKS.
Bill W.

Mitch//pa · 10-09-2015, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

For a car that has been stored a long time, I first Torque the head & add a jar of the plain old original BARS-LEAKS.
Bill W.

i am going to develop a new technician in a can and promote you to my head salesman

SA sooonout

burner31 · 10-09-2015, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wareagle

Fired the old girl up today and noticed some seepage around the head. This could explain the water in the oil that I noticed on the last oil change. Compression readings today were all around 53 to 58. Think I should do the high compression head also. What is the best head to go with? I've read a lot here but can't decide on the correct head. Any input is greatly appreciated.

My engine has the same leakage as yours, but my car sat for 56 years, afraid to re-torque right now out of fear of breaking a bolt, it runs good so I decided to keep going until I take it off the road for the winter in a month or so, depending on weather.
Put about 350 miles on it since I got her running in Febuary, no water in the oil, which I have changed three times since, over kill? maybe, but after 56 years I run it for a 100 change, repeat. Next season will be a different story, but for now thats my method for a clean engine.

J Franklin · 10-09-2015, 02:11 PM

At 55 ft lbs you will not break a bolt. Back off and re-torque 1 at a time.

Wareagle · 10-09-2015, 03:47 PM

Thanks guys. I ordered the new head from Snyder's. I have tried to re-torque the head before when I drained the oil and found water. I thought if I had to replace the head gasket, I might as well replace the head at the same time. I will take it to a guy here that does race engines and have him check flatness.

TinCup · 10-09-2015, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burner31

My engine has the same leakage as yours, but my car sat for 56 years, afraid to re-torque right now out of fear of breaking a bolt, it runs good so I decided to keep going until I take it off the road for the winter in a month or so, depending on weather.
Put about 350 miles on it since I got her running in Febuary, no water in the oil, which I have changed three times since, over kill? maybe, but after 56 years I run it for a 100 change, repeat. Next season will be a different story, but for now thats my method for a clean engine.

Working on a club members car he managed to snap 3 head bolts. Toughest I have ever encountered. Normally we would use the washer trick but because he snapped the two back bolts we pulled the motor and took it to Pat's Machine shop in OKC. They did a great job of drilling out the broken studs and removing the remaining studs. They even managed to snap 2 of the remaining studs. We will be putting it back in next week. They can be removed if broken.

TinCup · 10-09-2015, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wareagle

Thanks guys. I ordered the new head from Snyder's. I have tried to re-torque the head before when I drained the oil and found water. I thought if I had to replace the head gasket, I might as well replace the head at the same time. I will take it to a guy here that does race engines and have him check flatness.

I know it's colder in Ohio than here in OKC so just be aware that in cold temps if the motor temp doesn't get up to temp you will pull your oil cap and it will look like chocolate milk. On a cold 30 degree day my car just would not get hot enough. You can block the radiator with cardboard to help the motor run hotter in cold temps or use a thermostat. I chose the in hose tstat and keeps the motor a constant 160-180.

You will certainly like the added performance with the Snyder head I love mine.

Y-Blockhead · 10-09-2015, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wareagle

I will take it to a guy here that does race engines and have him check flatness.

Let us know about the flatness. Curious to see how much it is "twisted"??

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-09-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Let us know about the flatness. Curious to see how much it is "twisted"??

"TWISTED HEAD"???--Is someone spreading RUMORS about me AGAIN??
Paranoid Bill W.

Mitch//pa · 10-09-2015, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Let us know about the flatness. Curious to see how much it is "twisted"??

i would like to know also

10-08-2015, 06:51 PM	#2
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. I have rarely seen an A head that didn't seep. Re-Tourque and see how that goes. __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group.

10-08-2015, 07:27 PM	#3
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,551	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. That is nothing. Agree with Tincup retorque. How many miles on it? Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

10-08-2015, 07:32 PM	#4
Wareagle Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 63	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. Don't no mileage. Car set for 15 yrs. after restoration was started. Runs good but I get some moisture in the oil. __________________ Jim P. central Ohio 1930 Tudor Sedan 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and loving it!!

10-08-2015, 07:34 PM	#5
Nabco Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Dublin, OH & Clyde, NC Posts: 494	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. Where abouts are you in Central Ohio Wareagle __________________ 1930 Deluxe Coupe "Sister"

10-08-2015, 07:46 PM	#6
Wareagle Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 63	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Zanesville. Got several A's over here. Our local club is headed to Dublin next week. __________________ Jim P. central Ohio 1930 Tudor Sedan 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and loving it!!

10-09-2015, 01:40 AM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. Short engine runs will leave moisture in the oil. If you go for a high compression head, my choice would be the Snyder's 5.5 with a copper gasket and Copper Coat sprayed on both sides.

10-09-2015, 08:05 AM	#9
Wareagle Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 63	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. Thanks guys. Think I'll call Snyder's today and order one. Can any machine shop check it for flatness? __________________ Jim P. central Ohio 1930 Tudor Sedan 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and loving it!!

10-09-2015, 12:38 PM	#10
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,962	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. If any machine shop can't, RUN!

10-09-2015, 01:04 PM	#11
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. For a car that has been stored a long time, I first Torque the head & add a jar of the plain old original BARS-LEAKS. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

10-09-2015, 02:11 PM	#14
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,962	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. At 55 ft lbs you will not break a bolt. Back off and re-torque 1 at a time.

10-09-2015, 03:47 PM	#15
Wareagle Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 63	Re: I'm thinking it's time for a new head gasket.. Thanks guys. I ordered the new head from Snyder's. I have tried to re-torque the head before when I drained the oil and found water. I thought if I had to replace the head gasket, I might as well replace the head at the same time. I will take it to a guy here that does race engines and have him check flatness. __________________ Jim P. central Ohio 1930 Tudor Sedan 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and loving it!!