Hi Everyone,

Been sometime since I last posted but visit often.

I am in need of some advise and guidance. Just recently my flathead 6 started smoking. Its never done this in the past. The smoke is white, smells like winter green and quickly evaporates. The motor was rebuilt about 1000 miles ago (1 year ago) and has ran very strong with no problems.

Now I am no mechanic but have an idea what possibly caused this problem. After picking up the motor the engine builder told me to torque the head after the first heat cycle and then after the first 300 miles.

Well I forgot all about it and did not torque it till after I saw trails of coolent from the back of the head. Not sure how long it had been leaking but I am thinking it must have been for at least 3 months (drive the truck only on the weekends). I noticed the trails one night while inspecting the motor at night with a flash light. I have torqued the head 2 times 60 and 65 pounds.

The leaks did seal and the truck did not smoke. I am assuming that some of the sticky stuff used on the copper head gasket must have washed away and the gasket has been compromised.

What gasket should I be using (Copper? Do they come in other materials?)

I think it will be a straight forward job (according to the manual) or should I be looking at farming it out? I do have tools and can probably break it down my self.

Should I have the head resurfaced or can I just replaced the gasket?

Thanks for your guys help!

 

Did you retorque it by the sequence suggested in the manual?

JB

 

Yes I followed the pattern in the manual.

 

I think you can just gasket it. No need to pay someone else. I prefer copper head gaskets and copper coat sealant. Torque the head in three stages following the torque pattern in the shop manual.

 

38 Coupe:

Thanks for the info!

Should I Torque the head to 60 pounds on the first go around?

After heating the motor and letting it cool should I torque to 60 again or 65?

What type of thread sealant do you guys recommend?

Thanks

 

I haven't used thread sealant. The copper coat seams to squish out enough when the head is torqued to seal the head bolts; I haven't had seeping head bolt issues on a Flathead Ford.

I should have been more clear, torque the head bolts in three stages like 25, 45, then 65 lbs. Follow the torque sequence each time; yes it gets tedious. When you re-torque do two stages, 45 then 65. I re-torque after each heat cycle until the readings stabilize, typically three or four times.

 

Fred, are there any concerns with the deck being able to take the 65 ft-lbs on the 6's? On the Barn, most of the "gurus" say to step back on the V8's, to 55 ft-lbs. I've gone to 65 with no issues, but on their advice I stick to 55 nowadays.

 

Great!

Sounds like a plan, thanks.

I am going to start on it tomorrow!

Keep you posted.

By the way, is their a tool that can help me determine if the head is no longer flat?

 

Any one have any experience they can share using a graphite gasket vs a copper one?

 

Vegas I used a copper gasket sprayed with copper coat and no leaks. I also used a non hardening thread sealant on the headbolts.

JB

 

Thank You 3twinridges!

I am getting started on the project today.

Will keep you posted on my progress.

THANK YOU

 

I used the one on the left for the head bolts, the one on the right for the copper gasket. I torqued down in three lifts and landed on the final number that Ross suggested, can't remember what that was. If you look back in my 226 build thread I think I posted that.

 

 

Well I was able to get the head off today. From what is very obvious coolent has been getting in all over the place. Looks like the seal was compromised for sometime.

 

I haven't done a head gasket on a flathead six in about twenty years (I was in high school). The two I did I just followed the shop manual, no problems. Today I would back down to 55 ft-lbs. With the large number of fasteners and lower compression of the vintage engine I don't see a need to go to the high side of the spec.