I've tried not to bore everybody. So the 4th block we tore down seemed salvagable to the builder. He swore he was never going to stitch another flathead crack, but i guess i bugged him enough to try. he used a number of plugs on the number 7 intake valve and bore. The crack didn't extend below the deck. pressure test showed bubbles on the no 7 exhaust. he pulled the seat he installed and found a small crack. stitched that up. bored everything then honed. danged if a bb sized hole above where the top ring will land didn't appear. He speculates it was some sand or flaw from the original casting process.He will plug that today or tomorrow and hopefully the bloody thing (Dave used a rather more colorful expression) will hold water. hopefully we won't need a sleeve. this old gal has more plugs in her than a county fair horse race. hopefully the assembly process will go more smoothly.
Ive got an intake built here on the bench. navarro regular dual with stromberg 97s. I intend to break her in gently with the stock 94 and crap-o-matic dist. Then swap in a bubba dist with my rebuilt intake.
I'd like to make the new mexico tour this autumn that i read about in the v8 times, so wish me luck. we used the h&h balanced 276 kit, which being balanced and all, for what we got was reasonable compared to alternatives.

I enjoy reading all you all's posts. wish I knew more and could contribute more.

bill

 

Good luck with it and hope you make the tour. What you are going through is why I decided to use a more modern OHV engine, trans, and suspension. But if you get the flathead fixed and running good it will be really cool (as long as you get a really good water pump ).
So, where does the New Mexico tour go? Rt 66 or up into the mountains? Sounds like it would be fun to do.

 

day one Santa Fe to Chama, day two train ride then Chama to Taos, day three back to Santa Fe along the Rio Grande, then day 4, atomic museum and bandolier Natl. monument. oct 15th thru 18th

 

I have done the Chama train - spectacular and beautiful scenery on a steam engine train with open window cars. Sounds like a great tour and October is a good month to do it when it is not too hot.

 

Thats really cool, thank you.

 

I think it's great that there are still some folks around able to perform that work. This may be the last generation to be that lucky. I hope the rest of the work go's smoothly and your able to make the trip, it sounds awesome.