Been a while since I have started a large project so this fall I decided to rebuild an 8ba v8. Ross hooked me up with a great core and I have been spending last 2 months cleaning everything and procuring parts.

Took the block to the machine shop today where it will be bored, new hardened seats, rod refurb, valve grind, crank restore, heads milled, flywheel resurfaced, and rotating assembly balanced.

Tommy didn't like the wear on the 1CM cam I planned on using so I have a new one on the way. He also was a little hesitant on my used Johnson hollow tappets so we will see what he finds on inspection.

Plan is smallest bore needed to clean it up, Merc 4" crank, Merc 1CM cam, all NOS valve train, and Holley 94. Basically a 51 Mercury flathead with 8BA heads on it.

Rebuilt the fan assembly, generator, and starter over Christmas. Lots of vinegar baths, citrus degreaser, bead blasting, and painting.

 

Wow, that looks nice. I'm looking forward to the pictures of the assembled engine too.

 

Picking up a few original tools along the way on this build: idler gear puller, valve assembly press, and keeper pliers. Looking for a guide bar! Last pick is the original tools to install and remove the guides for the 226.

JB

 

I'll be watching this thread. I need to rebuild my engine before the EPA comes after me. You're way ahead of the game with all the work you got done so far.

Are you going to do a full flow oil filter setup or a PCV?

Where are you finding the 1CM cams? I gave up and found a couple EAB cams and heads. I'd LOVE to find a 4" crank.

I see a lot of the old tools that were once made in Buffalo, NY. where I grew up. Sad to see all that industry gone.

 

Scotty, thought I found a 1CM at DC but they called this morning to tell me they couldn't find it. I found an EAB cam and pulled the trigger. Do you know if the EAB cam would have valve clearance issues with 8BA heads?

no pcv, road draft tube

stock filter setup

JB

 

The differences between 8BA, EAB, and 1CM cams in terms of lift is small compared to aftermarket cams. No issues with any stock cam with any stock heads, as long as the heads haven't been excessively milled. I clay'd my setup (EAB cam and heads) and found 0.155" - 0.205 over the valves. My heads do not appear to have ever been milled.

 

I am running an EAB cam and milled EAB heads. Clearance over valves was around .125 if I recall. Heads were milled years ago but in nice shape so I just slapped them on. Runs great!

 

JB, I have not YET built a Flathead. Looks like you got your answer though.

I look at a lot of the Ford Barn threads and read a few of the Flathead books. Looks like milling the heads to get .045-.050 clearance over the piston is what many do. Once you get into milling it I have read "some" people have issues with the edges of the piston hitting the head even though they have the .050 in other spots. So they end up grinding some clearance in the heads.
A standard check is to make sure valves don't hit the head as well. Sounds like the stock cams aren't an issue but, I'll probably be extra cautious whenever I build mine.

 

Said what the heck and bought a pair of EAB heads this am!

JB

 

They are supposed to be the best stock heads. Where did you find them?

 

Reds in CA. He mags and checks them for cracks.

​​​​​​​JB

 

Stopped in today to drop off pistons and cam bearings at the machinist. The block looks awesome. Decked, new hardened seats, cracks in the deck corrected with inserts, etc......

The Merc crank checked out fine, they were inserting the threaded plugs when I left, ended up grinding the mains 10 under and rods 20 under.

Should be done next week to begin building it up.

JB

 

I'm excited to see this build so I know YOU must be. I want to do the same build. Not sure where to find a good 4 inch crank though.

I'm not going to go the big buck stroker route. I'll keep the stock crank if I don't find a 4 inch Merc.

Good luck with your build.

 

Scotty, the 4" was a tough find, one of the hardest parts so far. It's big and heavy plus you need to find a seller you trust, since most are not marked. I posted a wanted ad on the ford barn and got lucky with the one I pulled the trigger on. I had another lead on one in Jacksonville if you want me to pm you his info. The one I bought had not been turned, still std. Man it looked good at the shop today freshly turned and cleaned, looked like it was just made.

I I went with egge 4 ring merc pistons from van pelt and Hastings rings. Going to use nos federal mogul bearings from Mr Selzam.

 

Scotty, the 4" was a tough find, one of the hardest parts so far. It's big and heavy plus you need to find a seller you trust, since most are not marked. I posted a wanted ad on the ford barn and got lucky with the one I pulled the trigger on. I had another lead on one in Jacksonville if you want me to pm you his info. The one I bought had not been turned, still std. Man it looked good at the shop today freshly turned and cleaned, looked like it was just made.

I went with egge 4 ring merc pistons from van pelt and Hastings rings. Going to use nos federal mogul bearings from Mr Selzam.

I had decided on using a nos eab cam, but then I stumbled on a 1cm still in cosmoline.

I stood around with the machinist today trying to decide if the 8ba heads he milled were better than the eab heads I picked up. The 8ba heads cc's are mint, and with the decking and head surfacing, we felt like going lower was a costly gamble. The eab's had a fair amount of cc pitting also, so that weighed on the decision.

Got my eye on a nice 51 with no engine to put this beast in, getting excited about assembly and pending truck #2 purchase. Couple of bolt kits from Roy, plug wires, and a fuel pump and I have all the parts for some late nights!