Picked up a running 59A out of a big truck this weekend for $50. It had not been run in 10 years but turned free. It had good compression, however it smoked quite a bit when it came to life. Of course all I did was hook up a 12V battery (low spark w/ a 6V battery), run a gas line from a portable tank & let her rip. She coughed & stumbled a little at first then settled into a nice smooth idle.......man these old girls are tough! All my neighbors that gathered around my crusty find could not believe that this old mung coated rusty lump of steel would run. Before I started her I changed the oil & when I pulled the 2" drain plug and found a thick layer of goo on the bottom of the oil pan (she was full w/ only 3- 1/2 qts of oil). It is pretty cool that this is the exact same model motor that I have in my '35 pickup & should be a fun & very messy winter project. All I need now is another project car to drop it in.
I swapped the good working starter to a fellow HAMBer for a case of beer, Mich Ultra. As a big full figured male, I was really thirsty after pulling this bad boy out that big ass truck when it was 95 outside!
Nice score Iceberg! Hope you find the engine bay of your choice to place it in and give your pickup a stablemate! Regards, Dave.
I'm not sure on the cars, however this is my second truck motor that had one. I needed to run a generator mounted fan on my '35 pickup (space issues), so I have an extra one if you need it.
you will almost definately find that when you pull that pan, it will be full of molasses in there. Also, While you got it on that stand, you might as well pull the heads and blow all the sand out of the water jackets. Definately will help with cooling. I'm sure you know all this already though
ALSO- don't have the flatty on that engine stand for too long. As I remember, there have been cases and I have seen 'em, where the flathead bellhousings can crack at the rear when supported like that. Best case scenario is supporting the flatty from the sides. Anyone else ever hear this? Spook
You can buy adapters for flathead V8's that hold the engine from the side (thru the exhaust manifold bolt holes). This was the Ford way of holding them. I made mine out of heavy steel plates and welded it up. Drilled various bolt holes to match up to the engine stand's mounting plate. Works for me. You just need to get the angle about right (for the angled side of the engine) so everything sits level.
I've had mine on a stand like that for two years and never.......hold on, I hear a noise in the garage!!.....oh crap.....er...I'll be back CT.
Is that six-blade fan a factory item? Ive pulled several 8BA truck motors with 5 and 6 blade fans; listed in the 48-56 Ford Truck Parts Catalog also. Dont know if it was an option on the earlier style.
[ QUOTE ] Is that six-blade fan a factory item? [/ QUOTE ] The 1948 to 1951 E Series, 152 HP engines used a SIX blade fan. They were used in trucks.
This is my second 1946 59A big truck motor that I have pulled and they both had six bladed fans on them.
[ QUOTE ] You can buy adapters for flathead V8's that hold the engine from the side (thru the exhaust manifold bolt holes). This was the Ford way of holding them. I made mine out of heavy steel plates and welded it up. Drilled various bolt holes to match up to the engine stand's mounting plate. Works for me. You just need to get the angle about right (for the angled side of the engine) so everything sits level. [/ QUOTE ] The angle is 45 deg. If you have an old exhaust manifold, it can be used for a drilling pattern. Make sure the joint between the plate (bolts to the block) and the post (goes through the top of the engine stand) IS DONE WELL! The load on that joint is BIG!
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