Pulled a 1951 Ford F1 out of the field. Has the original Flathead in it. We get cold up here....very cold. -40C cold and then hot in the summer again 40C hot. The hood was left on the truck but the intake has been removed from the engine. What do you think the odds are of 30+ years of being parked outside that the block is cracked. My fear is that water entered the block in the summer and then froze in the winter cracking the block. I am going to have it megnafluxed but I am starting to wonder if it is even worth it. I know the hood was closed which I am hoping protected the block from having water enter it but who knows if it was closed for all 30+ years. Who also knows why it was parked in the field.

Thank you in advance.

 

Were the lower radiator hoses still on it? If not, it could be OK... but freeze cracks aren't the only problem there. Any water in the valve chest and it will be a nightmare getting the lifters unstuck.

 

I hope your luck is better than mine. I picked up my effie and the original transmission and motor were sitting under an old barn shed (had a 302 in it). Owner assured me it ran when pulled. Got it home started stripping it, and the valve on one cylinder was stuck open and it had water in it. Froze and busted the cylinder wall, I still don't know how it managed to get enough water in it to freeze and bust under that roof, unless it was a lot of condensation over the years. Also had a petrified mouse all oiled up in the pan LOL.

Hope yours is better than mine. Good Luck!

 

I'd say someplace between nill and would be a miracle... just sayin.

 

Why was the truck parked in the field originally? Probably cuz the block had cracked, a common malady that affects all automakers flathead engines.

 

Took these pics an hour ago when I pulled a head. The other one is being stubborn. Truck sat number of years with no hood. Oil bath air cleaner is dished inward on top and acts like a funnel to direct water into the intake. There is a cummins 6at taking up space in my shop. Tempting....... I'm gonna give you 25% odds because it had a hood.

 

Ran when parked, eh, GB?!

 

Whoa! none and buckleys! But wish you good luck either way

 

I'm thinking it ran til some idiot took the hood off and left it off. It came with the truck, but was unbolted from the hinges. It showed signs of having been recently run. Stuff like a new clear plastic fuel filter and some new ignition wiring and hoses......

 

GB, sound like someone tried to get it to run then found it had bigger fatal issues and gave up, figured it wasn't worth the effort to bolt the hood back on.