Technical Nothing say's gut punch more than finding water in the oil in your Flathead * UPDATE *

sorry to hear.....we were just talking about local flattie builders today....

 

Ah, that ****s.

 

Terrible news. Did tearing it down verify the block is bad? How was this revelation found?

 

Damm and bug**ery. That could make less determined guys put the pickup in the "bad car" corner facing the corner till you get over the hurt. Spend good money in anticipation of it's first major run and then it's peeing into the sump.
You first start a new motor and you do your little dance around it checking for leaks etc and breathe a sigh of relief when all is good ,punch the air and you can sleep easy tonight . Then **** happens .
Please keep us updated on a happy outcome.

 

Sorry. I was hoping it was the head gasket. Harley

 

Ditto. You might be able to fix it.

 

please share results...sorry for your buddy...

 

This news ****s!

 

Damn! I was hoping it was a easy fix, hopefully the machine shop will make it right.

 

Man that sux. Where's the failure?

 

Updates as they are available Danny

 

That ****s. . I'd probably try the liquid gl*** 1st, just may get lucky. There are several threads around, if you search for them, here and on the Fordbarn of cracks that have been "s***ched". Hopefully that will work w/o having to start all over on another block. Is it a 59AB block or the later 8BA, maybe? Good Luck

 

Dave called last night and told me the guy he bought the engine from p***ed away 2 years ago,so there is no way to get any res***ution on that front.
igh school
If the crack/cracks were in the cylinder walls a slug would take care of the problem,

Dave says there are at least two cracks visible and is in the process of pulling the engine and will be looking for another block.

He just doesn't to throw good money after bad trying to repair the block,he is frustrated he isn't going to make his self imposed dead line. HRP

 

Dead lines ****. Especially self imposed.

Hoping he finds a good block soon.

Ben

 

Danny,,,,
If it's the same "Putt Smith" that i know as of a few months ago he and his son Jeff are still doing
business, They had shut down a year or so back to rearrange the shop when Jeff retired from delta airlines
and went to work with his dad.
Harold "putt" Smith
4313 Stonewall tell rd.
College Park, Ga. 30349
770-964-6219
If you call and get the message machine,just leave a message, they normally call back at lunch or at quiting
time.
Ive know Putt for many years and never know anyone that has had a problem with him backing up his
work.

 

@HOTRODPRIMER Any further update?

 

If he is looking for a flathead block with NO cracks, he will be looking for a VERY long time. I would really look very hard at trying to repair the cracks in his existing block, depending on where they are.

 

Thanks for the information Joe,Dave is out of town but I will give him the number when he returns. HRP

 

As revered as our flatheads are (I can say "our" now that I have one) it sure seems like a problem child or invincible and nothing between. I'm keeping notes on what to look for and check since mine's a fresh rebuild, never fired, no clue who did it. No, I'm not going to start over just because, gonna try a more pragmatic approach. However, I don't like hearing how cracked blocks are so common...

 

Generally speaking the cracks can be fixed. I add block seal pellets (just like the new cars) in my flaties even when I can't see / find a crack. Obviously Magna flux is good and pressure test is best but I think Henry shipped all flatties with cracks from the factory!

 

My empty 8BA came off of Tacoma Craigslist and it had no cracks just as advertised. They are out there. Now the first one I bought and tore down was a real piece of poo. Moral, keep looking and you'll find a good candidate.


Or you could buy a running hot rod with a hopped up flatty, remove said flatty, install the SBC that is hanging on your engine stand (everyone has one, admit it) and sell the car for a bit more than you paid for it and get the flatty for free.

 

Been a while, any update?