The timing on this is spooky. This past Tuesday I took the day off and took a run up to near New York to look at a Flathead motor that was for sale. There hasn't been any worth a crap around my way to come up for sale in two + years. I am really feeling up to the challenge , so I been looking to to pick up one that I could learn to build . The PO's description of this motor sounded good and it looked better when I got to see it live so.. I grabbed it! I think I made out like a bandit.
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I was able to pick this up for $50 with the tranny and he gave me the radiator and set of horns for another $20.
On Thursday,(2 days later ) the 8BA Flathead in my truck took a crap. I was on a 150 mile cruise, doing 55mph and I started to smell what seemed like burning paint. I had good oil and temp so I back down to 45mph to be safe. I drove for 15 miles , stopped to pay a toll before crossing a big bridge and decided to pull over and check around before I got to the top of the bridge and conked out. GOOD THING. It started making some real bad sounding, loose internal metal random scraping bumping type noise all rolled into one,......NO OIL PRESSURE so I shut her down. Got it towed home.
I was hoping my oil pump screen was caked over due to all the crap that got knocked loose from all the road shoulder rumble strips I ran over. ( I had to pee a lot on this run ).
I drained the oil, dropped the plate, which had a fair amount of stuff on it but the screen looked OK. I spent the next 2 hours scooping crap off the oil pan bottom with what I could get with a bent cloths hanger and a clean rag. I got a lot of junk doing this. Filled her up with oil, started it, and NO GOOD. It sounds bad.
Looks like I will be learning how to build a Flathead sooner than later.
What can I say. Ever day above ground is a good day. Things could be worse for sure.

 

It's all the cost of education - I'm sure you'll graduate with honors!

 

I just sold my rebuilt flathead v8 & 3 speed trans for$400

 

"stuff" happens... You were smart to stop before it actually threw a rod or something. You may just need a new oil pump and some bearings, who knows? And you'll have confidence in it.

 

John Smith Jr - Carburetor Rebuilder Extraordinaire! is soon to become John Smith Jr - Flathead Motor Rebuilder Extraordinaire!

 

Well.. Look at the brightside! The weather is still going to be decent for awhile....
What better time to remove the eng/trans whlie theres not 6' of snow on the ground.
Deep snow curbs my enthusiasm levels...


John, was that you looking into a cab cart awhile back?? Still need one??

 

As long as the pistons didn't swap holes or the rods airiate the block it'll just need freshened up.

 

RODS????? LOL - not in a flat V8....... ohv guys, gotta love 'em anyway!

 

The little piece that connects the crank to the pistons? supposed to move in a syncroed motion

 

May it rest in piece(s)...

 

Oh those!! Guess they do have con rods. I was only thinking of push rods between the lifter and the rocker arm.............

Ok, I'll just go hide now...

 

Thanks for all the encouragement folks. I got the replacement Flatty tore down to the point of being able to mount it on an engine stand. Soon I am going to need some ideas on wether I will need to get a bunch of specific Flattie tools like the pickle fork for valve removal or one of these ....
1932-45-53 FORD~CHEVY~DODGE LISLE FLATHEAD VALVE TOOL: eBay Motors (item 330477722382 end time Oct-03-10 18:41:21 PDT).
Then there are tools I see in the shop manual pg 65-FIG.21 a valve assembly tool,... and pg 68-FIG 35 a gear installation tool and finially pg 71 FIG 40 a ridge removal tool for cylindes. What are you guys and gals using.
Should I start a Flatty tool thread???
Thanks

 

You need the ridge reamer. I have had poor luck with that style compressor; a pickle fork or big screwdriver is all you need to get the guide locks out, then you slide the whole assembly out. Unless the guides are stuck. Once the assembly is out, you don't need any tools. Unless the guides are stuck.

 

I use a cotterpin puller to pull the keepers out - If the guides are stuck they can be driven back into the valve chest and removed - I use a long inpact socket