Technical Flathead engine resistance

Here’s a question I can’t find in a book or online. What is the normal or acceptable turning resistance on a newly built, never ran 1953 flathead Ford motor on the bench with plugs removed? I realize valve springs and piston ring friction are the major contributors also lubricants. My cylinders are fairly dry, it takes about 500in/lbs to get her turning and 400in/lbs to keep her rotating , turning by hand with my torque wrench on the crankshaft center bolt. What is normal?

 

Seems about right for an SBC. I’d think a FH would be about the same.

 

Resistance is futile. Flatheads forever!

 

Seems about right. I just tried my C59A. Plugs and heads installed, but head bolts just hand tightened. I can hear the compressed air escaping on the compression strokes. Took about 40 ft-lbs.

 

I think 40 ft lbs would 480 inch lbs ..... very close to the 500/400 the OP posted....is it not?

Ray

 

Yes sir.

 

400/12. Roughly 33 ft/lbs. seems about right to me

 

Those rope seals make resistance.

 

Pull plugs spin till oil pressure show on gauge—-replace plugs fire engine run till 180-190s fast idle 2000 rpm—-cool down —-cool down till not hot to touch —retorque heads——repeat procedure—-it gets easier every new cycle. May use an extra external fan in addition to stock fan on engine for additional cooling When breaking in a new engine.Flatheads Forever!!!

 

40 lbs ft would be multiplied by 12 for inch pounds, not divided. 40 x 12 = 480

Ray

 

He said inch pounds. If it were 12 in/lb it would be 1 ft/lb, right? So 400 inch/lb / 12 would be ft/lbs, or 33.33 ft/lbs.


Edit: I see what you’re getting at.

 

My response was in reference to @Ziggster , converting his ft lb measure to in lb , to confirm it’s equivalency to the OP’s numbers.

Ray

 

Thanks for checking your motor, seems the consensus is, I'm in ok range.

 

Fresh engines, no matter what make, are always going to be a bit on the tight side. Remember, everything is new. if the starter can turn it over, you'll be fine.

 

In my entire work career I can say I have never checked one. If it turned with my flywheel tool smoothly it was just fine. Final test was building oil pressure with the starter and plugs out. Never had and issue.