Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

flattie rebuild?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 9, 2008 | 10:47 AM
  #1  
newblder's Avatar
newblder
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
flattie rebuild?

I got my hands on a 239 flathead this weekend and I'm not sure if I should have the block machined or not. The guy I bought it from tore the top half (heads, intake, ect.) apart and everything looks okay minus some snapped off bolts in the block. Is there any reason to get the block bored out? It has some corrosion in the water passages but other than that there's nothing visibly wrong with it. Should a rebuild do okay? This isn't going to be a hot rod. I just want a stock build on it.
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2008 | 11:10 AM
  #2  
51ford fan's Avatar
51ford fan
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 2
From: Seattle WA.
Take the bare block to a qualified shop that does Flathead work. Have them check the block to see what needs to be done. Or you can purchase a Bore Gauge, a pair of Calipers, and check it yourself. The bores can have a certain amount of taper before they have to be bored. Or in my case I have water damage in one cylinder that will cause my Merc block to be Bored.
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2008 | 11:21 AM
  #3  
newblder's Avatar
newblder
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
What's the allowable amount of taper? I have access to the measuring equipment (micrometers, hole gauges).
 
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2008 | 11:48 PM
  #4  
51ford fan's Avatar
51ford fan
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 2
From: Seattle WA.
According to my book 0.002 is the bore limit.
Check out these sites;

Techno Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford
Ford Flathead Specifications
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2008 | 09:43 AM
  #5  
newblder's Avatar
newblder
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Thanks for the help. I'm going to try to tear the engine apart in the next couple of weeks and get it hot tanked. The block is in good shape. There is some corrosion in the water jackets but its not too bad. I have some broke bolts to get out of it. I've been hitting with some PB blaster for the past few days, several times a day. The po tried to drill out one of the bolts and messed it up a bit. I'll need to put some kind of insert in it. This is my first full engine build so I'm pretty stoked!
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE