Got a great deal on a couple Flatheads. 59A and AB motors.Took head and intake off A motor and here's what I saw. Just at a quick glance whats your thoughts. I'm going to try and remove the valve free up piston to see if will rotate. AB motor turn free and appears in good condition. Heavy sludge in AB top end but cylinder walls and valves look great.
There has been volumes written on this subject. Instead of going through it again please do a search on flathead cracks and condition. Don't forget to check the oil pan rail. Then if you have a specific question, post it here. Generally 70-80 percent of flathead blocks have cracks that either make them junk or in need of repair.
Hey Petejoe Thanks for the info. Been reading on the subject for sure. Just thru the question out there looking for thoughts as valve head gone and I didn't see any major damage to piston. Thanks again
Hard to tell at this time. Strip it down and clean it up first for a better look and evaluation. Couldn't tell from the picture but one of the lifters looked like it might be the adjustable type.
where, oh where, did my valve head go........... Clean the piston top first before saying there is no damage. Looks better than a lot of flatheads that were first torn down......
With the raised intake area that block is a bit more rare so worth saving for sure. Dis***emble clean up and pressure test it.
I'm going to clean up the areas and checks for any cracks or damage. I also have a couple Flathead rebuild books for reference from speedway as well to rebuild my 85 hp in my 39 pick up. Thanks to all for the great info.
You are not going to know until you start taking it apart. Those valve guides are going to be brutal to remove. I am sure you are going to end up cutting the heads off a bunch of them and driving them out the bottom. I would try to get it all cleaned up and do a visible check first. You really need to inspect the valve seats and cylinders for cracks. A lot of those early 24 stud motors had factory sleeves in them from the factory in the cylinders. Regardless if you have to sleeve a few cylinders it can be done.
Regardless on how you feel on tv programs, watch these videos. I found them good to watch, and it shows you what you can do, regardless of if it is worth it or price... http://www.powernationtv.com/episod...-flatty-part-1-how-to-hot-rod-a-ford-flathead http://powernationtv.com/episode/EP2014-14/old-skool-flatty-3-deuce-v8
My initial thought was Oh Ick, but so what. Looks like most every tired old Flathead when first opened up. Ya, a little water got in there, so what. Your going to bore it anyway and maybe a sleve, so what. Hope you have a True machinest you can trust. The Wizzard
Boy howdy I love it when a guys uses a high resolution photo that you can save and expand to see what's going on. I'd say the next step is figure out how to get it down to the bare block without tearing anything up that can't easily be replaced and get it cleaned up and see what you actually have.
hey guys thanks for all the great info. i've stopped by gonzales engines on van born rd in my area in the late summer to talk about my 85 hp rebuild. He told me they've worked on many flatheads thru the years. dad has owned the shop for a while,retired and now son is running but dad stops in daily. i'm a flathead virgin now but hope to be a flathead ***** by the time i'm done. thanks again for any and all flathead info.
Those look like the flatheads that Mark had for sale. I p***ed on them at the last minute, I wanted something that ran. Like others have said those valves and guides are going to be a pain in the ****. Any pics of the 59ab with the heads off?
Yes thats correct olskool34. i can take some pics of the ab and upload in a bit. i did clean up the head surface on no major cracks that i can see. YET! looking at the lower most outer bolts may have small crack. do you know of any rebuilders in the area.
Where you cleaned up the deck you can see the thin (tin) sleeves in every cylinder except for number 8. Somebody installed a thicker sleeve in that hole at some time.
Those look like factory cylinder sleeves in this engine. 39 to 41 engine. Those can be replaced. I would start tearing it down so you can get it magnafluxed. Turn it upside down and take the pan off and check the pan rails for cracks.
thanks guys for the info. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO VIEW MY BLOG. I KNOW THIS INFO HAS BEEN COVERED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT I STILL WELCOME ANY INFO. i'm learning everyday and all info on flatheads are welcomed. i also noticed the thicker sleeve and i also read all exh valves will have ford stamping unless replaced. i noticed a few valves without ford stamping so i'm thinking the A motor maY have already been rebuilt. full tear down next.
SRL I would recommend you do more dis***embly on the AB engine. If it will p*** Mag & Pressure test, that's the one I'd use Jim
Well after a little persuasion I removed the broken valve. I nicked the center tube with my cut off wheel. Does that look like a problem?
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