I know there is a flathead forum but this gets quite a bit more traffic so I am posting this here.

I am disassembling the two cracked ones I have. I have removed the heads, intake, valves, crank and pistons. Question:

1) How do you remove the camshaft? I managed to break the flange that the camshaft gear bolts to so I gues this one is toast. Still, I would like to get it out. Does it just pull out. The manual seems to suggest this but something has to be holding it in.

2) How do I remove the oil pump. I removed the pick-up and I ahve removed the bolt that holds the oil pump to the block. I ahve not removed anyting that is acessible from the backside of the block yet. Do I need to in order to remove the oil pump? how does it come off. The manula seems to suggest that the only thing holding it in is the one retaining bolt that I ahve removed. Also, I busted the pump body where it mates to the block. This happend when I attempted to chisel it off. I figured it was probably just stuck tot he block and needed a bit of help. Oooops. Are these pump bodies available and is a new oil pump expensive?

3) Do the lifters come out pretty easily once the camshaft has been removed?

As I side note, I am attempting to save these blocks although they are cracked.

Thanks,

Carl G. - Pearland, TX

 

The cam gear is probably binding with the oil pump gear. It does just pull out, but you've got some work before you can do that. Remove the rear cover and you'll see where they mesh. From there you may be able to push or drive the oil pump shaft down - you'll need to get it out of the way.

The oil pump body does just pull down and out. They can be a bear. Soak, tap, soak, tap, etc. Since the cast iron housing is gone, you can grab the shaft with a pair of vice grips to pull on.

In addition, you need to remove the lifters (tappets) before you can get the cam out. If they won't just fall out you might be able to get a thin punch past the cam lobes and drive them up into the valve chest. After these are removed the cam should just slide out.

Oil pumps are available. Not too expensive. Cracked blocks are good ones to learn on Have fun!

 

Tim,

Appreciate the reply. I will remove the cover plate in the back of the einge and see what I can do. Also I will attempt to remove the lifters (tappets). Any tips on how to grip the camshaft to pull it or will I be abelt o pop on it from the backside when I pull the cover?

BTW - One of these engines only has one crack and the other has two. I'm thinking of having the cracks pinned and the offended cylinders resleeved as I cannot locate a good block down here or close enough to make it worth my while to go get or ship.

I am amazed at how simplistic these engines are.

 

Before you proceeed on sleeving, I'd advise checking the flathead sites for info; sleeving a flatty is not the same as sleeving an OHV, and there are some important pointers over there. Choosing a machine shop with flatty experience is very important!

If your lifters are sticky in their bores, turn the cam til they are up, the lifters will be clear enough of their bores to grab them with soft-jaw pliers to pull them out.

 

Thanks fior the tips. I will try them this evening and see if I have any sucess. I suspoect my lifters will be sticky in the bores.

I did find a shop on the complete opposite side of Houston with some Flathead experience. Shop was referred to me by another flattie owner who has had good luck with them. I visited about a month ago and I am pretty comfortable with them.