I just brought my truck home and have drained the gas tank and drained the oil. Here is where I need some advice. This truck has the flathead and has not been driven in 4 years...prior to that...I was told the truck ran great. I have not yet tried to start it. When I removed the oil drain plug, bright green antifreeze came out (probably 8-12 oz) and then the old oil came out. It was also kind of sludgy. I took the radiator cap off and did not see any fluid in there. Why would there be antifreeze in the oil?

Also, here are the pics of the truck. It looks to be in pretty good shape.

 

You must have an internal leak......hopefully just a head gasket, but could also be a crack from cyl wall to valve seat.
A crack that will leak coolant into the oil is pretty serious. You will have to pull the heads and see whats going on in there. It shouldn't be a crack from freezing since it had antifreeze, but anything is possible...

 

The bad news is, Tinman52 is right. It's either a head gasket, or more likely a crack in the block. Don't panic yet, it could be something that can be repaired. You won't know until you get it torn down.

The good news is, you are right, the rest of the truck looks to be in great shape. And it's a deluxe cab to boot.

 

Can someone tell me how to check for either a head gasket or a crack somewhere? Is this as simple as pulling the heads and seeing the gasket is brittle? I would be surprised to see if it is a crack in the block...the antifreeze was very bright green. I wouldn't think it could have froze but I have no idea...ugh.

 

great truck bones there. you have a lot to work with.
I can't comment on the block, just wish you well.

 

It could also be a cracked head. Whatever you do, don't crank it over until you find out if any cylinders are full of water.

 

Yes, you will have to remove the heads.

Flatheads are prone to cracking from excessive heat.....the hot exhaust gasses have to travel through the block to exit.

That is really a sweet old truck you have there....

 

I wish you the best with the motor but will say that once you knock the dust off it will be one clean looking truck. You did very well picking up that truck even if it has motor issues. Welcome aboard.

 

Nice truck! Unfortunately there are probably more cracked flatty blocks out there than uncracked. With that amount of leakage there is a fair chance you'll get lucky and just have a bad head gasket. You need to pull the heads either way.

 

great looking truck, well worth getting the nec engine work done. many of us faced engine work and $$$ of patch panels, etc. to get done. yours looks to be in great shape.

 

I believe we all can agree that the heads must come off to ascertain what the problem is. Flat heads are easy to pull. Examine the gasket surfaces closely for leakage when you pull the heads, before you start the clean up. These engines are known for cracks around the valve seats and into the water jackets if they've overheated. A very close examination is sometimes required to see the crack. Sometimes the crack is not visible to the naked eye. Keep us abreast of your find.

That looks to be one very nice truck.

 

When the heads are off rotate the engine by hand and examine all the cylinder walls adjacent to the valve pockets, use a good light and the cracks should be fairly easy to see if they are there.

 

Nice truck. Good luck and please keep us updated.

 

That sounds like a bad issue; I'll come on by and take that problem off of your hands.

Wow, that is one solid looking truck. I wish mine was half as good.

 

Yes a real nice solid looking truck for sure. I would really like to hear "The Rest Of The Story" as Paul used to say. Like where ya found it? How much bondo. Wash it so we can see it better. It's been repainted. Right?

Where are ya at jhaas63? It's been like a whole day. Have ya pulled the heads?
Hey there is another flat 8 on this forum that the gal is trying to sell. Sounds like a heck of a good engine if it's close to you. Ya just can't have to many Flat 8"s and Y-Blocks for spares.

I am beginning to wonder what's going on. Only one post on this thread so far by the OP. If ya didn't have 31 posts I would think ya was funnin with us. Are Ya?

Ahh!! Okay there ya are. Just came online. Update please.