I have aquired a 47 Merc that's been in my family since new. Been sitting in a garage for 25 years and the engine is stuck. Plugs were not in so maybe some rust in the cylinders? Tried squirting some MMO in the spark plug holes but no luck. Anybody have some advice on how to proceed?
Snyder's Antique Auto in Springfield, they're model A stuff, but they should know some shop that can rebuild it. Victory Engines in Cleveland does a lot of older engines, 50 years in business, you know the deal , even if it breaks loose could be cracked block/ heads, not to mention rusted bores. Try breaker bar on crank, 1.125" socket, or push gently in gear. Try diesel in the bores also.
Where are you located? My guy Carl probably can but he's in the NE corner. Or maybe Seme and sons in Euclid John
Chances are there is rust in the cylinders and also the valves/seats that were open. It really should be taken apart and then determine where to go from there. The block may or may not be good - one can't know until it is cleaned and magged. There are not that many places around that know flatheads. For a stock type of build you might get in touch with Hart's Machine Service in Cecil Ohio.
A stuck engine on a vehicle that has been sitting for 25 years in Ohio can be just the tip of the iceberg … Does the vehicle have sentimental value ? Has it been modified or is is mostly stock ? What are your plans & your budget ? Do you plan to keep it or sell it ? Assuming everything else that is associated with the drivetrain and suspension and frame is in relatively good condition … Unless a numbers matching engine warrants it for sentimental or monetary value - buy another engine. I have learned with the passing of time - time itself is my most valuable resource. Jim
WOW...I didn't realize Metals was still in business! I used them for crank work back in the late 70's/ early 80's when I first started building my own engines. The only reason I changed is that I found a place that was closer & did the same quality work. Since the OP never said where in Ohio he is located, we can only guess. If you are in the Northern Ohio area west of Cleveland....P.C. Automotive in Oberlin has done all the machine work on dozens of engines I have built over the years with never an issue. God Bless Bill https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/
Thanks for posting that. I've been wracking my giant brain trying to remember the name of that shop. Years ago at least they were the go-to machine shop for a lot of dealerships, garages and racers in the area.
Many thanks to all who have replied. A little more info. I am near Wooster OH. My dad bought this car new in '47 and I inherited it in 2015. Been in his carport from '53-'60, then in his garage until I got it. Was a daily driver until the 70s then just occasionally until around 2000. It's in really good shape all around. It has a Sears rebuilt engine in it which I helped him drop in in 1965 (at age 13!). I have the original engine (numbers match) on a stand in my garage. It's stuck too but IIRC it has a 3/4 cam and 3/16 overbore. I suspect he replaced it due to too much blowby in '65. I've put MMO in couple times maybe 1.5 gal total. This is his wedding sendoff pic from 1948 (if it loads right).
So obviously the car does have sentimental value. My first choice would be to get it roadworthy with the engine that's in it. Because I want to drive it! If that just won't work and I have to do a rebuild I'd put that money into the original engine. What I'm hoping to accomplish is a reliable daily driver, not a show car. So my plan is to get it running, have an Amish guy near here do the upholstery, and put a new top on it. Back in 2007 I rebuilt the carb and replaced all the brake parts for my dad but never got any farther. I put new tires on and now plan to replace the gas tank and lines too. Onward!
I have a fresh rebuilt 59L short block. 3.313 X 4". 400 JR cam. $5.950.00. I have two 8BA short blocks ready to go $5,700.00. 20 miles NE of Charlotte , NC.
If that original engine has been out of circulation since the 60s and stored inside it may be a really good build candidate. It’s tough to find a flathead block that hasn’t been bored yet so if your Dad never had the bottom end done you could really have something good there. I’d break that engine down and have it hot tanked and checked for cracks
The Jalopy Journal
