Under compression it could not push oil/fuel into the water jacket? Thats what it looked like happened, there was a black trail on the block from number 7 to that upper keystone right were the dark mark on the gasket was. It was running a bit warm, not overheating but was foaming from the cap. Look at the photo of the drivers side head surface...it's hard to see but you can see the dark spot. I'm not an expert by any means, were else can oil leak into the cooling system but not coolant into the oil??
OK, on to other things, heres a sneak peek. I went to my Dads tonight as he is helping me get this thing together. My Dad has built hundreds (if not thousands) of flatheads over the years. He is a true master! He machined it a while back, and we cleaned it up, got the lifter valley and timing srea coated and the cam bearings in. That was all I had time for tonight, hope to get back on it later this week.
I agree with the diagnosis, the gasket seal was bad, you can see in the gasket pictures and the piston tops on the passenger side are partialy washed clean it doesn't take much oil/gas to make rusty coolant look like that if it was a crack or some other failure I would expect to see water in the oil as well the new block looks beautiful, so, is that a Mercury then? can you tell us what your plans are?
The plan- I'm going to yank the 221 out and I think my Brother may buy it for his A roadster he bought from me. I was going to use this engine in it originally, so all the mounts and such are set up for it. I love the way this thing runs. It sounds EXTREMELY cammy. It has a Windfield SU-1A in it but I think the small cubic inch makes it sound mean. But it is still a small lil engine and I am yearing to go faster. So...I have a 59AB in the works with a 4" Merc crank, Another Winfield cam, adjustable lifters, Sharp heads, and the same Thickston intake that is on the truck with a couple 97's. I was building this engine for my A roadster, but when I bought that 41 convertible the A roadster came up for sale and my Brother stepped up after selling his A roadster/pickup. So I have this lil gem 59AB just begging to go into something, and I figured the pickup be best suited. For all the cars I have owned and all the engines my Dad has helped me build, I have never owned a V8 with high compression heads let alone a 4" crank, so it should be a nice wake up!
Are you feeling ok? You're slow for life.....well not as slow as me since I have nothing driving but slow none the less Chris!! I'm liking the direction your heading. That plan sounds like a warm little motor that'll yank the Ol' Lucifer back in her seat or bed depending where she's sitting. Go man go, that's going to be so rad!!! I think the engine needs to be painted that same dark maroon that your wheels are painted...just sayin.
That's bad Chris but for real carnage.... Go to http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=615424....
Things happen for a reason. I think you really wanted a fresh flatty. Now your enjoyment will hit a new level. You're going to love the fresh bullet.
Got my heads back today, machine shop said they were both a little wavy so glad I had em done. Got one head on and torqued. Went to the second one. Got about 18 bolts torqued and one stud broke! AWESOME! Put down the tools, time for bed
Chris>>Got about 18 bolts torqued and one stud broke!>>> Wire-brush & Never-Seez threads till you can run nuts down their full length by hand. Torque only to 45-50 ft lbs. Re-torque often. Jack E/NJ
Alright guys, she's back on the road! My ol man came over and gave me a (steady) hand drilling that stud. He has done this A LOT...and although I don't mind trying it myself, beings it is a stud in the head of a running engine I took his offer! He drilled it dead nuts center, little by little going bigger and bigger until it was the right size for an easy-out. The out she came! Put in a new stud, buttoned it up and off she goes! Runs cooler, does not miss and I think problem solved
i think its time for a good reliable small block chevy, i hear they put the valves in the heads on those motors.
Damn that little tool that he took the stud out looks like a life saver? What is it? It's like tapered square shaft.
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