As you know my theme is a barn find condition we're possible. That includes the engine. While my block is being machined I have been working on the 3x2 setup and trying to not make it look brand new. I posted pictures of the carb assemblies so I turned my attention to the offy intake. I glass beaded it to an almost white finish for a uniform base and used a very mild form of acid cut with 50% water. I did a test sample underneath to see how quick it would react. Pretty quick so I don't leave it on too long before a hot water rinse.
Here is the finished product. It was just the look I was looking for......used. The #65 power valves came today to finish the rebuild so I made up a tool to not damage the small plunger out of a junk screwdriver. I think you can see in the foreground just how white the intake was before aging.
Here is the final assembly of the 3x2 setup. Stromberg 97's all rebuilt. I was missing choke springs to install. They never had any. Maybe a trip to the hardware store will solve that problem. I also plumbed a hard line from a vacuum port on the rear carb to the fuel pump stand. It will serve as a makeshift pcv. I figure it's better than nothing. I can always plug it if it causes some problems.
I just scored some Offy risers! I read they help a little on the low end torque but I think they look cool. Besides they are originals with the Offy name. It doesn't get any better than that.
I am still waiting for my flathead to be machined. I am getting a little anxious to get working on it. I am told a few more weeks. So I start thinking too much looking for something to do. That's when trouble starts. I modified the Offy risers I just bought to fit better on the carb bases by adding the radius to the corners instead of the square corners. Not sure why they were made that way. Didn't stop there and aged them to match the intake. The muratic acid sure does the trick. They look like the were never cleaned for 50 years. I will get them bolted on tomorrow. Like I said I have too much time on my hands..........
There is a slight angle to the intake pad. I guess the risers made it more pronounced. Hmmmmm. For some reason the photo looks worse than it does in real life.
Also the engine sits at a sight angle (front high) when in the chassis would explain the carb bases at a sight angle. I think.
A little bit of updated on the Flathead. The machining of the engine is going too slow. We are in March already and it is still not finished. The machine shop is experiencing a labor shortage here in WI. Most of the machines are sitting idle. Mean while, Rich Bickel and I have been trying to find things to prepare for the build. Things like a breather and oil fill tube, spark plug wires etc. Rich seems to like the draft tube addition. I am on the fence about that one. I posted a picture of his shop with what he is using for a mock-up until we have the block and heads back from the machine shop. It made an interesting back drop like it was taken years ago. Of course his shop hasn't changed much since the early 60's I am told. I am honored he is willing to share his wisdom of building a flathead with me but also 80+ years of life. Priceless indeed.
As far as getting the car prepared for the engine, the driveline was finished in my earlier posts except the gear box. It's not the perferred 39 like most of hambers use here. It's a 36. Not sure if it's an early of later one but it looks and feels in very good condition. I just rinsed out the old gear oil and will put in a new front seal and gasket set. It still had some green paint under a thick coat of grease which I thought was pretty cool. I plan on leaving as is.
nice... hey that distributor cover is a '49 only, i think the later dists will work in it, but it has that dimple on the lower end of the shaft... it was for a pilot on the shaft end, i think that is a better set up.... my $0.02.
You mean like this. The distributor is a modified sbc mallory. I made sure the shaft was modified to use that support after the cam gear.
Speaking of info. For you guys running an early trans (pre 37) you will find what you thought was a replacement front bearing retainer seal that will not fit. The early trans either has no seal at all or in my case a smaller OD cork seal. You will have to buy a later bearing retainer or perhaps modify yours if you want the later lip seal. I guess that is why my trans has so much oil buildup in the clutch area! The seal was crumbling cork.
Well it has been a long time coming. 9 weeks to be exact when I took my flathead in to the machine shop. I got the call yesterday to pick up the block. The crank and rods are not finished but Rich Bickle and I can at least get started. 1. Get the block on to the stand. 2. Tape all surfaces with tape and plug each valve port. Just trying to keep the valve seat grinding dust out of everything. 3. Rich is grinding in with a flat stone first. A 45deg second and a third angle to bring in the seat width. The pilot fits tightly into the valve guild bore. Notice the sign on the door.....he is the real deal.
No work on the Flathead today. My electrical is the only thing left to do. But do we ever have nothing to do when it come to our hobby? H4 headlight conversion. I already had the stock reflectors with the old bulb sockets. Tear them off with vice grip. With the halogen conversation it comes with a H4 socket that with a little trimming fits. Then fold the tangs down tight. Install the bulb and provided 3 prong plug and that's it. Simple.
Here is a little trivia. I mentioned I am working on the Flathead with Rich Bickle Sr. Father to the more famous Rich Bickel Jr. From the NASCAR truck series . Sr. Was also a stockcar driver in ASA with Mark Martin and Dick Trickle. That would be about 1979-80. Here is a picture of his car. #15
I worked on my idea of turn signals using some Guide 4" 5/8 fog lights mounted low flush with the fenders. I used the same principle as the headlights but used a 1157 bonnet socket with yellow/orange LED. They fit perfectly .
Roadster is looking awesome buddy and thanks for sharing the journey of a Great build. Mr Bickel is the man for flatheads and have a few other buddies running his motors and they are wicked fast.
Rich and I will break it in on the test stand with a single carb first and then switch to the 3x2 for tuning. Looking forward to hearing the Lopy cam and lake pipes!
The Jalopy Journal
