Does this look rebuildable?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
JEEZE! I guess anything is possible, but with the valves being broken off like that, did it slip time? That would explain why they took heads off. I think youd be better off finding another Flathead. Fairly common.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 129
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
Hey Colin, not knowing very much about flatties, which is just the way I like it, I have to ask why you needed to rebuild it? Are flat blocks getting hard to find, you could spend a ton of money just to find out that the block is scrap. I’m going to PM you a cdn website for rodders but there are some flat guys there. 
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 9
From: Rouleau, Saskatchewan
Yes that is the timing cover on top. As for the motor I was just wondering because I haven't found any cracks yet. The valves have been coming out pretty easy but the pistons take a bit to get out. I have been soaking them for a day and then tapping them out.
Havi, I still have to get you some pics of the 66 yet. I haven't forgatten.
Havi, I still have to get you some pics of the 66 yet. I haven't forgatten.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,298
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Being open is probably better than being sealed up with water inside. Any chance it froze? Take a look around the pan rail near the center main bearing web. What I see looks like it would clean up pretty easily, and unless it's already over Std., you can always bore it 60 thou -- not much won't clean up at that! But of course you'd want to check for cracks first.
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
Ditto on the checking for cracks first. Once it's completely torn down, run the block into a machine shop familiar with flatheads and their common cracks. Have them hot tank it and then MagnaFlux it to check for cracks. You won't know the story until then. In addition to the spots that Ross mentioned, another common place is between valve seats and the cylinder. Those are considered fatal. They can be repaired, but the cost exceeds that of a good replacement block. Another common crack is between the water ports in the deck and head bolt holes. It's usually the two locations on either deck where the port is only about 1/2" from the bolt hole. Those are no big deal. Have the head bolt hole heli-coiled and forget them.
On another note - it looks like the exhaust valve seat on #6 is trying to walk out of the block. Have the machine shop check all your seats over closely also. If it needs a bunch of seats cut out and replaced, the pricetag for machine work can creep up quickly. As was already mentioned, these blocks aren't hard to find. It's often less expensive to just find a better block if one needs a ton of work to get it square again.
On another note - it looks like the exhaust valve seat on #6 is trying to walk out of the block. Have the machine shop check all your seats over closely also. If it needs a bunch of seats cut out and replaced, the pricetag for machine work can creep up quickly. As was already mentioned, these blocks aren't hard to find. It's often less expensive to just find a better block if one needs a ton of work to get it square again.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 84
From: Utah
One other thing to consider is if there is any deep rust pits or pitting in the cylinder walls. (deep enough that it wouldn't clean up?)
I found a flathead block like that out in a farmers field sitting on a hay wagon (only one head had been removed and didn't look quite as rusty as yours)
I payed the farmer $25 for it and had fun tearing it apart over the next 2 weeks!
I wouldn't bother with soaking the pistons. Also chances are that none of the internals, Crank, rods etc will be any good with that much rust. just sawzall (about a 2.5" holesaw) the tops of the pistons out and sawzall the side of pistons, Very Careful not to cut into the cylinder walls and then use a chisel to break the pistons out.
most of all have fun and if it gets tough get a bigger hammer! You might need it.
Oh ya the one I took apart was a good rebuildable block and right now it's got a new life in someones project.
cheers
Josh
I found a flathead block like that out in a farmers field sitting on a hay wagon (only one head had been removed and didn't look quite as rusty as yours)
I payed the farmer $25 for it and had fun tearing it apart over the next 2 weeks!
I wouldn't bother with soaking the pistons. Also chances are that none of the internals, Crank, rods etc will be any good with that much rust. just sawzall (about a 2.5" holesaw) the tops of the pistons out and sawzall the side of pistons, Very Careful not to cut into the cylinder walls and then use a chisel to break the pistons out. most of all have fun and if it gets tough get a bigger hammer! You might need it.
Oh ya the one I took apart was a good rebuildable block and right now it's got a new life in someones project.
cheers
Josh
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1960rebuildablecars, block, cost, crack, edge, escape, explorer, flathead, ford, magnafluxing, pan, rail, rebuilable, rebuildable, rusted, small, trucks
