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Old 03-26-2019, 10:34 PM   #21
Ol' Ron
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Default Re: First Flathead Build

Be carfull about removing stuck pistons, you can crack the cylinder walls. How do I know that /??????
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Old 03-27-2019, 06:35 AM   #22
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Ron, you crack me up...LOL...pun intended. Read all of your posts. mike
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Old 03-27-2019, 07:02 AM   #23
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Default Re: First Flathead Build

I was gonna say something similar to big job yesterday but then I assumed you'd done this before.

Keep everything in order and organized, oriented the way it came out of the engine, for balance sake.

If you have enough room in your garage/shop put down a piece of cardboard on a bench and label everything. You can even punch screws/bolts through so they don't move if it gets bumped.



Label your crank caps.
Label/number your pistons and keep their caps attached with the same bolts. Put an arrow on top of them to know which way the front of the engine is.
Baggie and sharpie label everything else.

Last edited by Terranova; 03-27-2019 at 07:14 AM.
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Old 03-27-2019, 08:16 AM   #24
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Default Re: First Flathead Build

Do not dip your block in a solution that
will dissolve the front and rear main seal retainers.
I think they are made of zinc alloy,not steel. Also, be sure to number all your main bearing caps BEFORE you remove them. Same with rod caps.
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Old 03-28-2019, 05:17 PM   #25
Tim Ayers
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
Do not dip your block in a solution that
will dissolve the front and rear main seal retainers.
I think they are made of zinc alloy,not steel. Also, be sure to number all your main bearing caps BEFORE you remove them. Same with rod caps.
Retainers should be removed before cleaning, no?
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Old 03-28-2019, 08:50 PM   #26
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Take lots of pics. For us and for you!
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Old 03-29-2019, 08:52 AM   #27
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Take lots of pics. For us and for you!
Will do!

Here are a few of unloading and getting bolted to the stand. It's still on the ground but I'm planning for liftoff today!
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File Type: jpg Unloading.jpg (84.6 KB, 120 views)
File Type: jpg Bolting Up.jpg (73.4 KB, 115 views)
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Old 04-01-2019, 11:58 AM   #28
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Default Re: First Flathead Build

Finally got it up on the stand and opened up. The heads and intake were only held on by a few finger tight bolts.

Yup, looks like a project!
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File Type: jpg Opened Up.jpg (82.1 KB, 140 views)
File Type: jpg Port Side.jpg (31.7 KB, 155 views)
File Type: jpg Gubbins.jpg (53.4 KB, 158 views)
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Old 04-01-2019, 11:59 AM   #29
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And a shot of the shop for good measure
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Old 04-01-2019, 12:15 PM   #30
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Default Re: First Flathead Build

I'm sure you noticed it has adjustable lifters. It may also have an aftermarket cam.It looks pretty clean, so maybe they can be reused. Looks like a good score to me. Just try to keep the lifters with their original lobes until you're sure what you have.
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Old 04-01-2019, 12:19 PM   #31
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You get one of those valve gear bars yet? Looks like there wasn't anybody living in the valley there.
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Old 04-05-2019, 04:54 PM   #32
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You get one of those valve gear bars yet? Looks like there wasn't anybody living in the valley there.


Not yet. After those pics were taken I’ve been spent all my time offshore in Mexico. I travel a lot so it won’t be a fast project.

I did see the adjustable lifters. Will make sure everything is kept in order when tearing ‘er down


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Old 04-16-2019, 06:09 PM   #33
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A little progress.

First, I had to reorganize my wrenches so they weren’t all tucked in a dusty old toolbox!


Then today I pulled the pan.






The sludge is nice and thick! Rods look straight though.



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Old 04-16-2019, 07:30 PM   #34
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I'm going to be doing something similar. One bank had water enter from a leaky roof via heads without spark plugs. I've been soaking in ATF and acetone. So far no movement. I thought I might flip it over, remove the pan, oil pump, and then the crank. I should be able to tap on the con rods to get some movement. Yes? Don't want to hijack but thought it might pertinent.
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Old 04-16-2019, 08:46 PM   #35
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That shop is waay too neat, you’ll have to get that disheveled look or people won’t believe your working on a flathead!
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Old 04-17-2019, 06:39 AM   #36
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That shop is waay too neat, you’ll have to get that disheveled look or people won’t believe your working on a flathead!


My wife parks there when I’m out of town working. The cleaner I keep it the less I have to hear about it!


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Old 04-17-2019, 06:42 AM   #37
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I'm going to be doing something similar. One bank had water enter from a leaky roof via heads without spark plugs. I've been soaking in ATF and acetone. So far no movement. I thought I might flip it over, remove the pan, oil pump, and then the crank. I should be able to tap on the con rods to get some movement. Yes? Don't want to hijack but thought it might pertinent.


This is what the book I’m working from offers:


I’m definitely not reusing the pistons but will reuse the rods if I can. I may soak it first then try to punch them out.


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Old 04-17-2019, 09:09 AM   #38
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Default Re: First Flathead Build

It will be a big clean up chore after you disassemble that thing but it is nice to start a day working in a clean environment. It's definitely easier to find the tools anyway.

I can clean the shop one day and a customer comes in on the next with his helicopter and blows all the crap from the outside into the shop. Its a never ending battle.
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Old 04-17-2019, 07:07 PM   #39
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Does the book have a title or did I miss that?
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Old 04-17-2019, 09:53 PM   #40
Tim Ayers
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Let me put it this way, get them out by any means necessary. You can get brand new 8BA rods from Tardel and SF Flatheads for $225. You'd be hard pressed to get current rods reconditioned for that price.

Don't waste your efforts if they are giving you are hard time. Use the red wrench and cut them out. Same with valves. Believe me, I try to save what ever I can, but then it comes down to time and effort.

I've found a baseball bat blank (can be found online for under $30) is the perfect sized dowel for knocking pistons out of the bore.

In the past six months I've torn down five motors. One came apart like it was made yesterday. One had to have everything torched out. No rhyme or reason for it. I have all the proper tools to boot.

Get them out and move on.
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