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Old 08-17-2013, 09:32 PM   #1
BetsyModelA
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Lightbulb Model A motor froze-up

Anyone know how to "move" a froze-up motor?
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Old 08-17-2013, 09:35 PM   #2
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

I have removed the spark plugs and sprayed the cylinders with Kroil, soak, and repeat until lose. Be sure to spray the valves. One can also place a wood dowell dow the spark plug holes and tap, tap, tap. Takes a bit of time and lots of soaking but has worked for me.
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Old 08-17-2013, 09:52 PM   #3
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

Thank you for your quick reply. I'll give it a try. Hope I can find the "Kroil."
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Old 08-17-2013, 11:19 PM   #4
Chris Haynes
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

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Originally Posted by BetsyModelA View Post
Thank you for your quick reply. I'll give it a try. Hope I can find the "Kroil."

Here is where you get it.
http://kanolabs.com/
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Old 08-17-2013, 09:48 PM   #5
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

Is the motor still in the car? Starter still installed. A wedged starter drive can make a motor seem froze. If it is really froze up as Donino said soak with good penatrting oil. Half automatic transmission fluid and acetone makes a good penatrting oil. Time and patience.
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Old 08-18-2013, 01:35 PM   #6
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

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Thank you for responding. The motor and starter are still in this 1929 Ford pickup. All the parts are there. It has stood stationary for several years (indoors).
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Old 08-18-2013, 01:47 PM   #7
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

I would remove the starter and try to pull it over by hand with a crank first. (that eliminates the jammed bendix possibility right away.)

THEN maybe go into lubricant/solvent mode for a while doing all the suggestions each time trying the hand crank to move it.

THEN maybe the dowel in the spark plug hole (careful - go easy - you don't want to punch a hole in the top of the piston.) Maybe alternate with compressed air on a cylinder which seems not leaky and the valves are closed (one of these is sure to be so.)

THEN maybe take a step back, get yer tools out and start by taking the head off. Rinse and repeat with the 2x4 like the dowel trick, but the larger impact area will allow you greater impact/force.

THEN MAYBE go forward with a more complete disassembly in place to determine the place where it is binding. You may find one piston hung up if you have/had a coolant leak unknown in the past.

About then I would pull the engine and tear it down formally after proper introductions. No more Mr/Ms nice person.

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Old 08-17-2013, 10:09 PM   #8
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

How did it freeze up? While running, been sitting for 10 years, or ????? It would depend on how it happened as to how to unfreeze.
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Old 08-17-2013, 10:35 PM   #9
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

Yes. Move it to a shop and disassemble it. Then you will find out why it froze up and what is needed to repair it.
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Old 08-17-2013, 10:45 PM   #10
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

Fifty-five years ago, had one engine sitting outside for 10 years that locked up.

1. Took it inside, removed head, removed oil pan, & removed crankshaft; "then" found (3) pistons could move & (1) could not.

2. Only concentrated on soaking & moving this (1) non-moving piston.

3. Back then, soaked with Liquid-Wrench for about a week & lightly tapped top of piston with a pine 2x4 every day after soaking for (2) days.

4. It finally broke loose, so I kept the same rings, same pistons, then honed cylinders slightly & re-assembled -- great engine.
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Old 08-23-2013, 06:54 PM   #11
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

I'm thinking I may have to go this route. The pouring Marvel's Miracle Oil and rocking isn't enough.
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Old 08-24-2013, 08:41 PM   #12
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

Happy for your success. Mine is yet to come.
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Old 08-17-2013, 11:32 PM   #13
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

WAIT WAIT WAIT

Before you follow the great advise given here, like Fred asked how did it freeze up?

Sitting many years long?
Drove it and it stopped while driving?
Worked fine the would not restart after stopping?

Each of these have a different starting point.
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Old 08-18-2013, 03:22 PM   #14
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

Back in the early sixties I bought a '29 Phaeton with a siezed motor and the head off. We Towed to the top of a steep hill and coasted down the hill with a friend lying on the front mudguard.
When I dropped the clutch it started turning over and the friend squirted oil down the bores,
We got many good miles out of the engine before it needed a rebuild.
I wouldn't recommend that procedure today!
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Old 08-19-2013, 10:10 AM   #15
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

North Dakota
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Old 08-19-2013, 10:26 AM   #16
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

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North Dakota
North Dakota is a BIG state!

Pluck
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Old 10-05-2013, 10:47 AM   #17
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

I have dealt with a few 'stuck' old engines and the only thing I would advise is drop the pan and loosen or remove the bearing caps. A couple of the engines would have been good engines if I hadn't just forced it to turn over=the bearings and crank had worked on each other to keep it from turning. If you open it up and the bearings and journals are OK you might have saved a good engine. Than you work on the pistons.
GOOD LUCK!
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Old 12-14-2013, 07:03 PM   #18
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

All this is good advice. But if you don't drop the pan and the bearing caps ,you could waste a good set of bearings and journals on the crank.
If you can get the pistons free and it does turn over , I'd still check the insides. If a piston /rings stuck the crank could have the same stuff going on. Good Luck Gary
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Old 12-14-2013, 08:19 PM   #19
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

PK, that is exactally what will happen. Since the eng is out of the frame it makes it more difficult. I have a gasket set, and will take it apart just to see what is going on.I think by this time next week it will be turning.
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Old 08-18-2013, 08:46 PM   #20
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Default Re: Model A motor froze-up

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Originally Posted by BetsyModelA View Post
Anyone know how to "move" a froze-up motor?
A 4 wheel moving cart works well.

I would remove the 4 spark plugs and squirt some diesel and ATF, or Kroil, or any good penetrating oil, let it set for a day or two, then put the car in high gear and try rocking it back and forth.

If that doesn't work the I made a tools from a bad starter end plate and pinion that works pretty well to unstick motors.
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