what i have here is an flathead that was rebuilt in 1978 and run only 450 miles since then. the last 20 years it was in storage. now what shall i do? rebuilt it again but only the gaskets and seals? or run it like it is, i did not test it till now but it turns free. thanks to all ideas...
For me, if it isn't stuck, run it. I had one that was similar but not a fresh overhaul. I rerung it, ground valves and checked bearings. Works fine. I didn't see anything in there that changed any while being stored the past 30 years. Just my opinion so take it for what it is worth, which is not much. Neal
Rebuilt in 1974 and never fired. Got it running, does great, no leaks either. Only change was the carb.
Would be, should be, could be fine... If it were me, I'd spend the money on a gasket set and at least go through it to check it out. "Rebuilt" doesn't always mean "rebuilt" if you know what I mean. If it looks great, you're in good shape and you'll have peace of mind. If there's impending doom bottled up inside, you'll know before all hell breaks loose.
Risky? I would say about as risky as my daily 20 mile evening drive from Little Rock to home. If it was me, I would "take the chance" and fire it up. (this was my automatic response when I read your post). "Risk" needs to be put in perspective, not ***essed with a knee jerk reaction. The phrase "better safe than sorry" is way overused these days.
I would take the plugs out and put some MM oil down the cyls turn it over every day for a week change oil, then fire er up and see what happens, if oil press is good ....go
my 47 59a I bought 2009 thanksgiving was supposed to only need a brake job and could hit the road and I was all amped up about it.So I got the car and the guy who who I bought it from knew all about flatheads said she's a runner, sweet.So she's home and i lube the cylinders cause she's tight and go over her.And so I started her up runnin good right.Ive let her run off and on. Still tight then starts tickin and then tappin.so I shut it down.Its embaressing but I never hooked up the oil pressure gauge.She chewed up the rod bearings and spun the drive gear off the cam.I geuss what Im gettin at is if you really want to know whats going on in there tear it down.Goods news, got a fresh flatty that I know whats in it.And I know more about flatheads than the other guy
Perfect, real-life example. Spend the $150 on a gasket set and check it out first. If there is a problem that needs to be corrected, that gasket set might save you $1000's...
Comparing apples to oranges here but my 13:1 327 has been sitting up since 1989 with a suspected blown head gasket. pulled the plugs oiled the cylinders and fired it up. No headgasket leaks... still runs as hard as it did when it was put together in 1972.... and its running pretty decent on E**on Supreme... I say light it up and see what happens
It is yours to gamble with --- me, I'd invest in a set of gaskets, pull the heads, check the valves for rust, etc.. If the engine was stored in a damp climate (like an unheated garage), then valves can get rusted . . . or maybe a ******** mouse made a nest in the valley (seen that a couple times), etc.. I've heard the "ran when parked" -- "was rebuilt just before we stored it", etc.. In most cases, I've been underwhelmed when I've taken them apart as good running engines are seldom parked for 30 years! If you're the guy that built it - then different story. If I want to depend on an engine to take me places and not just screw around town, then I like to know what is in it. Also, you can save a ton of money if you find something cheap/easy to fix and do it now . . . versus after you've spun a bearing, etc.. Take it apart, measure everything, put some good ***embly lube in all the right places -- THEN fire it up. You'll be out $150 and a weekend of time . . . cheap investment in my book.
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