Flathead Machine Shop
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 319
Likes: 18
Flathead Machine Shop
Anyone out there know of any machine shops in the Myrtle Beach, SC area that domachine work on Flatheads ? I live like 4 blocks away from Jordan Performance in Conway SC, they have done machine work for me before, but they said their machine can't do valve seats on a Flathead ????? so I have to find another shop. Any help appreciated.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Huh? What kind of whizz-bang machine is that? Don't they use different cut stones on a mandrel anymore?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
Likes: 1,050
From: NM
Larry, it's a good idea to contact the local Early Ford V8 Club to see what their experiences are.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 44
Shop can't do seats ? Flatheads are different than overheads? So I need to know what
I'm missing here. What you do need for all Ford V8's is the mandrel. My mind says 'if
they are a machine shop, they either should have machined one or buy one on ebay
for 10 bucks or so. sam
I'm missing here. What you do need for all Ford V8's is the mandrel. My mind says 'if
they are a machine shop, they either should have machined one or buy one on ebay
for 10 bucks or so. sam
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 76
From: Utah
Grinding seats or cutting for hard seats? My friend has been building flatheads for along time and has a machine setup just for cutting the seat pockets for hard seats. Its much much quicker that cutting each seat manually by hand.
in Utah though so not very close to you. Although he does ship.
in Utah though so not very close to you. Although he does ship.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 319
Likes: 18
Shop can't do seats ? Flatheads are different than overheads? So I need to know what
I'm missing here. What you do need for all Ford V8's is the mandrel. My mind says 'if
they are a machine shop, they either should have machined one or buy one on ebay
for 10 bucks or so. sam
I'm missing here. What you do need for all Ford V8's is the mandrel. My mind says 'if
they are a machine shop, they either should have machined one or buy one on ebay
for 10 bucks or so. sam
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 76
From: Utah
Does your block have hard seats already? Or need them cut? If your just replacing a seat you can buy slightly oversized seats and install without cutting i believe.
Or buy a cutter and a guide and do them yourself.
not sure how economical that would be though?
Or buy a cutter and a guide and do them yourself.
not sure how economical that would be though?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 319
Likes: 18
Flathead Build
I want to install new valve seats with bigger valves. Need old seats removed and block cut for bigger seats, seats are original and pitted.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Very different from an OHV setup most shops have. See here: https://youtu.be/QDEJ3coQa14
Forgive me, I'm old and crotchety.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 76
From: Utah
Id bet most shops that have been around at least 20 25 years have the tools to do it. They likely just dont want to. Its probably running the hand drill manually for 16 cuts. Alot of time involved. When they could just build sbc engines cheaper and quicker. Grinding the seats is one thing. But cutting them is another.
Ive seen that happen here locally.
Ive seen that happen here locally.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 44
be; a milling machine and a boring head. Last one I did was a 1923 Model T which do
not have seats - bored the block put seats in the freezer over night and tapped them in.
Not a hard job at all.. Old saying "a machinist is a problem solver"
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 319
Likes: 18
Flathead Build
Yes, I will be doing a mild port job myself in the valve pocket area. I know it's thin in that area, but the valves I'm using are only .010" larger than stock, that's minimal. I' m not putting 2 .02s in her ! Very cool cutaway picture !! Still don't understad WHY my local machine shop said they can't do it !?!?! Still looking. Thank you.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 126
From: Houston
I helped a friend rebuild an 8BA for his F-2 in another friend's shop. The block had two bad seats from corrosion. My friends \wWelded thick washers to the bad seats, taking care not to weld to the cast iron block material. A slide hammer was screwed into the washers after the weld cooled. The old seats popped out, new seats pressed in, and were ground. No special equipment needed. I agree with Ross, larger vales are probably not worth the effort for anything but a very built flathead.
Recommend covering the deck and cylinders to protect from weld splatter, or removing the valve seats prior to any other machine work.
Recommend covering the deck and cylinders to protect from weld splatter, or removing the valve seats prior to any other machine work.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 319
Likes: 18
Flathead Build
It's not that different at all. The only difference I see is is the valve guide pilot, and a company that doesn't want to invest in one. I was expecting to see something that Obi-Wan Kenobi built. That looks like the venerable Sioux machine that I have used countless times on FH's and OHV's.
Forgive me, I'm old and crotchety.
Forgive me, I'm old and crotchety.