1952 flathead help?

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Aug 21, 2023 | 05:08 PM

#16

1952henry

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,191

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From: Mandan, ND

Wipe area down with cleaner of sorts and hit it with clean stiff wire brush.

Aug 21, 2023 | 05:18 PM

#17

Outdoorboy26

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Aug 2023

Posts: 84

Likes: 46

On closer inspection, to my novice eyes, I'm not so sure this flywheel looks healthy. Thoughts? ***Edit*** The part on the back of the flywheel that looks like it's chipping off near the edge is actually just grime.

Aug 21, 2023 | 05:28 PM

#18

1952henry

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,191

Likes: 349

From: Mandan, ND

Being out in the open it will combine potential leakage from rear main and road grime to make an undesirable coating.

Aug 21, 2023 | 05:33 PM

#19

bmoran4

Parts Nerd Extraordinaire

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 4,327

Likes: 1,759

From: Western NY

I agree that the latest picture seems to be caked grime. Like others have suggested, a good cleaning would be revealing.

Aug 21, 2023 | 05:58 PM

#20

Outdoorboy26

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Cross-Country

Joined: Aug 2023

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bmoran4

I agree that the latest picture seems to be caked grime. Like others have suggested, a good cleaning would be revealing.

A wee drop of Dawn, , some brushing, and grime cleaned up a little. Enough to tell it's not cracks.

Aug 21, 2023 | 09:23 PM

#21

52 Merc

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 16,135

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From: Burbank, WA

Be careful cleaning. If you take off too much grime from one spot it could cause an imbalance. lol

Aug 21, 2023 | 10:12 PM

#22

Outdoorboy26

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Aug 2023

Posts: 84

Likes: 46

Quote:

Originally Posted by 52 Merc

Be careful cleaning. If you take off too much grime from one spot it could cause an imbalance. lol

The grime may be what's holding the whole thing together! Lol

Aug 22, 2023 | 02:14 PM

#23

DieselDog409

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2022

Posts: 955

Likes: 199

From: Pratt Ks

clean it then rub chalk on it then wipe it off with your finger, if a line is left behind it is a crack if not then it should be ok. done this to an engine block before on my minibike chopper.

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Sep 1, 2023 | 07:41 PM

#24

bmoran4

Parts Nerd Extraordinaire

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 4,327

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From: Western NY

I dug out my Mercury and Ford Car documentation and if you have a 51/53 Mercury or 52/53 Ford 239 from a passenger application, the cover part is 1CM-6409 and is mounted with 9 bolts measuring 5/16-18x1/2 with split ring lock washers. Unfortunately, these are more often missing than available.