1950 flathead - what to do while out of truck?
 

Hey all,

Have a 1950 flathead that I plan to drop in my 53 f100. I have no experience working on engines, but am trying to figure out what maintenance I should do while it is out of the truck.

Here is what I know:

• engine is from a family friend, and was taken out not long after being rebuilt (truck it came from was junked). IIRC, it was rebuilt in the early 80s.
• sat covered in a barn since
• turns over
• cylinder walls look good
• a couple valves are sticking (have been spraying with penetrating oil and light weight oil)

I was thinking I'd take the oil pan off to clean out any sludge and just do a quick visual inspection.


What else should I do while it is out? I don't have the money to pay for a rebuild so want to know what I should do myself while it is out of the truck.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, I would pull the pan and clean up the lower end. Look carefully for bearing debris. Hope you don't find any. Be careful working inside the pan. Most of those engines used leaded gasoline and the lead would settle in the bottom of the pan. Wear nitrile gloves and minimize your exposure.
Replace the pan using new gaskets and rope seals.
Next I would remove the heads and look closely for cracks around the valve seats. Wire brush around the valves and elsewhere in the combustion chamber to expose any cracks. If you can afford it take it to an engine shop that has experience with flatheads and have them inspect for cracks.
If it passes inspection look at the cylinder bores and pistons for excessive wear or scoring. Check for proper valve action too. Unstick any stuck valves too.