I started putting this beast together finally over the last couple of weeks when my silly schedule allows (for a dude that's out of work, you'd think I'd have more free time). I personally am taken by the beauty of motor parts in their cleaned/machined state. I think that old motors are that much more beautifull and when I got my parts back from the machinist, I just held them in my hands and stared at them for a while... I found that as they went together, they got prettier rather than more muddled which is what I expected, so I started taking some pictures... I have no patience for learning decent camera skills and wanted to concentrate on what I was doing so some of the shots might not be that clear. But I have to share them somewhere... I also realize that I'm not doing anything earth-shattering here and I know that there are lots of places where you can get info on how to put a motor together. I also know there are lots of books created to tell you the right way to build a flathead. I used most of them to get me this far... Furthermore I know there are probably lots of ways of doing what I'm doing RIGHT. So I'm not going to give detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to build this motor. Hell, you can find most of that info right here on the HAMB if you look hard enough... This post is about the BEAUTY of an antique motor going together with some sane modifications and lots of love and respect. So look at the shots and see if you get some of what I'm trying to convey in my lame-assed way. If you have any questions about what I did or am doing, I'll be happy to answer them. First, the exhaust valve assembly going together...
Slapping that big CRANK (ironically, that's what they used to call METH when I was in high-school... From one MOTIVATOR to another) in that motherfucker... Pretty rods... And pretty rods after they get big, hypo, plungers on them.
Good to see you are putting this together. I am building mine too and am using the steelies you sold me on my '30coupe.
Don't ya just love the smell of the old oil when you pull the main bolts out? It lingers in the garage for weeks.... Flatman
Garage?!! Shit... My fingers still smell like sludge. And for those that don't know... Sludge=Lead... More proof that old Ford will make you stupid.
Thanks for posting, I am trying to reassemble my flatty at the moment so this is useful to me. One question: How do you pull or push the guide down far enough to get the horeshoe clip in? I know an easy way for the inlets, but not sure how to do the exhausts. I do not have the ford factory valve tool, is that the only/best way? Thanks Mart.
the flathead ford has got to be the most aesthetically pleasing motor ever produced. It's like a functional work of art, and the sound...jesus
you really need the tool Mart, I know its a pain, but if your playing with these things you will need one of these, especially if your planning on playing with them for years, which I reckon you will be
You're right a thing of beauty. Reminds me of when I put mine together. There's nothing like a good running and mean sounding flathead. Enjoy. Dan
I know that view very well having just recently assembled the whole valve train in my fresh flatty........it's a thing of beauty......flatheads have soul! Brucie
Phil....It looks real good...It's fun to see it in the step by step,brings back memories.Whatcha ya puttin' it in? J.D.
Hey Mart! Flatoz is right on this one... I can't thing of any way to pull the guide down without the tool... And buy a GOOD one. Mine's crap from speedway and it doesn't really engage properly. But from what I've seen of your handy-work, if anybody could dome up with a way to get the guid down without the tool, you'd be the bloke I'd have my Euros on... It does take quite a bit of force though...
Thanks Derek, The frame is all solid but not finished... I have a few more things to figure out and then I'll weld it up. How's the Olds?
Thanks JD... It's going in a 31 Roadster I've been building for like forever... Here's a pic of it's future home...
Thanks for the vote of confidence! Well I have done it, but had to improvise a few things. I might write it up as a backyard tech piece. It may be useful for someone trying to pull a motor apart before they decide to rebuild / invest money in tools. That A on 32 rails looks great, sort of reminds me of old rusty. One more question: I just spent an afternoon lapping my valves in. Did you do that? I was wondering if with new valves and recut seats this job could be omitted? I'm sure brand new engines are just assembled. I never thought of it until I read this post and was lapping my valves shortly after. Mart.
I didn't lap the valves... My thoughts were that for a street motor that is going to be thuroughly broken in, it isn't that crucial. If I was building a race motor that needed top torque within a few hours of being slapped together, I'd lap the valves. I guess you can just call me "Cap'n Blowby!"
Here's a couple more pix with the slugs where they belong... I can't believe this motor is finally going together... There were lots of times I thought it was all a pipe-dream...
The Jalopy Journal
