rebuilt 59ab flathead

Bought a complete "totally rebuilt" 59ab a few years ago. While completing work on the frame I decided to pull the pan and check it out. THERE WAS NO CENTER MAIN BEARING OR CAP!

R_

Hi,I just recently purchased a 59ab flathead,was told it was rebuilted years

ago but was never ran.Seller said it had

strong compression.My starter would not turn it over very fast unless I took the plugs

out.I had to push it to get it started.After

I ran it for a good while it finally would

start with the starter.What's bugging me is

that it is putting out light smoke.Is this

normal for a rebuilt flathead,maybe rings are

not seated yet?Thanks,Rod

I bought a "rebuilt " 59ab to put in my 34 in 96. After running it for 4 yrs i decided to give it a ring job. That when i found out that the clys. where out of round and the crank was flat spotted. Rod were over torqued and out of shape. I replace the rods, put in new rod bearings, and put in new rings and ran it another 5 yrs. till i got my 8ba rebuilt. I know it is a hassle to pull the pan on the ab but you might want to do it and check the rod bearing to see how good of shape they are in. Bill

What color is the smoke? Blue tinge? White? Black? Rings could be the problem, but also valve guides. I'd wonder what it looks like inside. The problems mentioned by Bill are possibilities. Engines that have been sitting, are 'suspect' in my book. So many things could have happened. Like a little rusting in the cylinders, which if severe enough may prevent the rings from seating for a long time. Is it possible that new rings, in new pistons, could have become stuck from sitting. I doubt it, but if so, running it awhile should free it up. Also, rings made years ago are suspect, at least in my mind. It's my belief that current rings are far surperior to ones I bought in the 50's. I suppose if it were mine, I'd already spent the bucks, and I was committed to it, I'd try running it for quite awhile, and see if it improves. If no improvement after a few K miles, I'd want to open it & look-see.

Thanks for your response.The smoke looks a

gray color,not light blue or black.I'll just

run it like you said and see what happens.

Thanks for your advise.Rodney

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Don't idle the engine much, keep it under load.

I was letting it run in the garage,guess I

better put it on the road.Thanks,Rod

Some guys idea of rebuilt is differant than others. Walt

I don't think I've ever taken a "rebuilt" engine apart that I would want to have said I rebuilt it.

I tore down a 50 motor and had the machine shop go through it.

30 over on the bore, 10-10 on the crank, new guides, spring, lifters keepers, pistons, rings, camshaft, timming gears.



I put it together myself, with a little help from my brother to start the pistons in while i guided the rod on the crank,



My first complete rebuild of a flathead.

drove it to the street rod nats. last yr. and had a lifter break and had to repair it at the fair grounds. Took most of sat. to do it but we got it back together and it is still running.



I plan on putting another 3 to 4 k , miles on it this summer. Goodguys in Des Moines, Back to the fifties in St. Paul Mn.

and a tripe to Spencer Ia. for their Flag day show. Love them Flatheads.



Bill

hard to imagine someone goofing up that bad.

Don't know who to trust much these days.

Rod