After a great summer with our '46 Merc M100, she crapped her pants on the last ride of the season. Took it to the dump (good place to crap your pants!) and when we got there (10-15 minutes max) I noticed the heat and oil pressures where maxed. Shut it down and checked it out: Water was down and oil (more like cappucino!) was up. Obviously water getting into the block in a big way. But it never smoked - or more importantly, steamed - so not sure if it's a head gasket (?). We let it cool down and added some water, then she started (hard). Took off and after another 5 minutes she ratlled and shut down. Got the wife to come rescue us.

Although there is wayer in the crank, there was no oil in the rad.

So here are the tear-down pics. This engine has likely not been apart for MANY years. However, the heads where off a few years back for a head gasket change. My neighbour owned the truck and his freind did the work for him. I recall them complaining about broken studs and wrong gaskets, so although the work may be questionable, he did do the hard part of breaking and replacing studs for me!

If you have any advise or experience to lend, please do! This is my first Flathead tear-down and I have yet to pinpoint the actual issue (where the water was getting in from). Thanks!















Everything secure-wired, juts like the old days!.Check out that yummy cappucino.....

 

Would have liked to have seen a picture of you removing the engine from the truck, because I'm about to do the same thing. Great truck and keep the pic's coming.

 

The guy that wrote this puts thousands of miles each year on a hopped up 34 Ford Roadster - he also has been playing with these since the late 40's.

Flathead Introduction

 

What is that port just below the gennie in the intake manifold?

Your cylinders appear to have very little wear? At least not much of a ridge.

 

e-tek,i know the season is over for driving,but if your interested i have a 40 1 ton ford with a running flattie in it .i could be talked into selling it.shipping would not be a problem,my work has a branch in stoon,we get a semi every week.
let me know if your interested.

 

Here ya go! I always try and take the tranny and engine out as one - usually you can. I removed only the linkages, exhaust, drive shaft, rad shrouds and rad before taking out the 2 engime mount bolts and 2 tranny mount bolts.









Don't hesitate to ask if I can help at all!

 

That's where the oil filler tube goes. I removed it becuase it was in the way of the chain.

The cyclinder walls do look good. But there was a prety good ridge prior to using the ridge reamer. (You can see me doing that in the photo with the nitrile gloves on.)

 

I just PM'd you. Have you checked the classifieds here? http://classiccar.com/index.php?opti...ead.php&t=4802

 

If anyone has a source for a good MERCURY tailgate, I'd appreciate it! aLso, what about homemade tools for valve extraction?

Today I bought some more ACETONE to mix with ATF for my super "break-loose" formulation. I'll spray it on the valves and guides to hopefully loosen then up a bit before disasssembly this weekend.

 

SeaFoam works very well for varnish breakdown, squirt it on like Marvel Mystery Oil or penetrating oil.

For valve removal, I lucked out and everything came out pretty easy with long angled screwdrivers, tire irons, and pry bars. Once you understand how things are put together, it only takes a minute per valve.

 

DAMN!!!! The block, she's cracked at the main web.....

Is this the kind of thing "Lock and Stitch" welding fixes??

I have another engine sitting in the bush at the in-laws (in a wrecked 39 Ford). Guess I might have to pull it out and look at it now!

Anyone know other sources for FH blocks??

 

That's a totally fatal crack from freezing. Check the source I sent you, he can set you up. He's also selling a 300+ HP blown flatty.... Hmmmm....!!!

 

Update: I found a block from Jitney`s Ford Autoparts. Who knew this guy lived right here in Saskatoon and runs an internationally famous Flathead business!

He sources blocks from everywhere, tears them down completely and has them magnafluxed. Sells the good ones for $450. This way I know what I`m buying and can use most of my parts from the original engine. I should have it before Xmas!

 

Good deal! Take your time, read up on how to build a flattie, it's worth the effort.

 

Any suggestions on best sources of rebuild info? bough the book "How to Rebuild your Flathead V8", but it's not overly detailed and it's poorly illustrated.