old or new motor

[demingboy]

Hi there. So I have a 1951 8BA in my 41 ford. Does not have good compression , about 65 lbs. Pretty even on all 8 and vacumn stays pretty steady when it runs. Put a pcv conversion on it that really helps the smoking. Also have it to where it no longer overheats.
So what I am wondering is how do you know if block is re- buildable? By that I mean if it had the cracks we read so much about wouldn,t they show up in oil or water?
Or is only way to tell by pulling motor and take apart?
Reason I ask is I want to fix mine but there is a deal to be had on one that I could in and out it.

[KiWinUS]

Dismantle. Shake n bake clean. Crack test. Pressure test. Are all the steps to answer your question.

[tubman]

If it has been running like this for a while (months, years with no water in the oil or coolant loss), I'd bet that the block is good. That being said, it will have to be torn down and checked, but your odds a a lot better than someone who has purchased a random block.

[slowforty]

I ran the same condition engine in my 40 for 20 years. just made sure it was tuned up and the oil level was good. used about a quart of oil every hundred or so miles. probably drove it 600 or 700 miles a season.

[alanwoodieman]

just took a 59ab that had been sitting for years, pulled the heads, check bores, no wear at all, pulled pan and checked bearings, as it was going to be used very limited-we ball honed the cylinders, replaced the rings and rod bearings and put it back to running, runs well does not smoke has very good compression so the owner lucked out

[demingboy]

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It does sound encouraging just to roll with it. Since purchasing it I have changed gas tank, added electric fuel pump. New radiator, new petronix points,coil and wires. Added a pcv valve and drilled small holes in the thermostats. Previous owner did quite a bit to it also.
Best thing I did was borrow an old alignment set and get it from 3/8 toe out to about 1/16th toe in.
So yeah I am just gonna drive it to heck with it. Actually kind of a good riding car . I like it .

[Jack E/NJ]

>>>just to roll with it.>>> just gonna drive it >>>


If it was mine, that's what I'd do.

[Desoto291Hemi]

If it is currently running with no issues,,,,I would not suspect any kind of a block issue .
It probably needs a rebuild with those compression numbers,,,,,,but that can always be done in the future .
If it’s running and you are happy with it,,,,run it and enjoy .
These old Flathead engines can run like that for years .
No overheat issues,,,,,not too excessive on oil,,,,,you’ll be fine .

Tommy

[AnthonyG]

[QUOTE=I ask is I want to fix mine but there is a deal to be had on one that I could in and out it.[/QUOTE]

Beware of “deals to be had”! You need to really be sure of who & how it was refreshed or if it’s used & supposed to be in good condition hope you really know the person giving the deal.

I agree X2 with Tommy, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Add some STP it might bump the compression up a bit. Use the time it has & enjoy, which may be a lot longer than you think! Use the time to find a good engine or block doing the required research & checks. You will find one & if you never use it w the proof / paperwork it’s been checked you’ll have no trouble selling. If when your engine is no longer running as well as now you can tear it down & do the same checks & maybe rebuild yours or go with the one you find, use which ever is best! JMO

[5851a]

You could keep driving and look for another engine to rebuild in the mean time. Better to just have a spare engine in machine shop jail than an entire car out of commission. Enjoy the ride.

[Step-down]

Figure your budget first so your not surprised $$$.