How to properly warm up a Flathead

[26 lakes]

I figured the title would get you to look. I am in the process of braking down some stubborn flathead blocks. These were locked up and frozen real good. I fill the cylinders with a little brake fluid and use used paint thinner. I take a plumbers torch and light it. Use some common sense when doing this. No wind or flammables close by. Keep a five gallon bucket of water nearby. I will do this for an eight to ten hour period. I let it cool down between refilling the cylinders. The corrosion on the cylinder walls flakes off. I will shoot it all real heavy with the acetone and transmission fluid solution and let it sit for a week. I squirt down the valve assemblies at any angle I can get to them. I will do the other four cylinders the same way. With the heat you get expansion and the oil goes down around the pistons and the rings. If the block is froze up you have nothing to lose. Try it on your next block. It beats a B_H.

[Bassman/NZ]

Brings new meaning to firing an engine up.....

[39portlander]

Feeling hot, hot, hot! You gave me an idea for a Flathead grill

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

The only thing missing are the hot dogs and machmillows. Walt

[19Fordy]

Very cool. Opps, I mean very hot. You got "Hot Heads" not flatheads.

[denverslim]

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I love it! Real flames...slim

[felix37]

I will have to try that technique some time.

[Mike51Merc]

I never saw four flatties on fire before. I do see how this could help get a lubricant to penetrate the tight spots, but it scares me at the same time.

Used paint thinner? I would think that used paint thinner would have diluted paint in it, no? I get it, you probably mean unused, leftover, and scrap paint thinner, but what kind?

A word to the wise: this can be VERY dangerous with the wrong chemical cocktail. There's lots of paint thinners out there--- everything from turpentine to laquer thinner to enamel reducer. Some of these chemicals are pretty explosive and a 5 gallon bucket of water will make matters worse with some, not to mention breathing the fumes and what that could do.

I don't mean to be a Killjoy. I've had my share of close calls and burned arm-hair in my past and learned some valuable lessons.

[TonyM]

Yep, 5 gal of water might not be the right choice. Always have a quality (multi use or specialized petroleum) fire extinguisher on hand.

[Ralph Moore]

I like it!, Of course I always like playing with things that burn, or blow up! I passed on a bunch of froze up flatheads, about 20, last summer. I just might have to go back and get some, or all of them now. My wife is going to love that!

[richard crow]

best way to heat a flathead is drive it on sunday on the lie in july

[outlaw256]

if it works great. but be very careful what you mix up and set on fire. or you may have to go a few blocks over to get your engine back.or pull it out of someones living room .lol

[26 lakes]

It is hard to ignite the paint thinner. That is why I use a plumbers torch. You have to hold it on there a couple of seconds to get it to burn. It is not like lighting gasoline. Paint thinner burns slow and produces low heat. I am a painter by trade. I have old paint thinner that I keep around. I recycle it this way. I am using PAINT THINNER or MINERAL SPIRITS. That is it.

[out plowing]

More like "How to roast a flathead" or "My wife burns candles for therapy, I burn Flatheads"

[Jason in TX]

Cool Dave!

[Fairlane500]

Did it work???

[26 lakes]

It works on every block I have done it to. I have done some really cruddy blocks.

[Liftedck]

I really like this idea. I have a couple blocks worth trying this on.....very neat

[Mart]

Goodness gracious, great bores of fire!

[Graeme / New Zealand]

"fire in the hole"!!

GB