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Technical Help Flathead guys

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Vegas_Cleaver, Nov 22, 2015.

  1. Vegas_Cleaver
    Joined: Jan 21, 2007
    Posts: 213

    Vegas_Cleaver
    Member

    I just picked up this 8ba from a street rod guy when I got it home I pulled the heads and was presented with 2 cracks one going from the cylinder to the Intake valve. And another bigger one from the cylinder to the exhaust and it even cracked the valve seat. Are these fixable or did I purchase a new coffee table? Thanks and I know I should have pulled the heads before buying it.
     
  2. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    I think you need to decide where to put the new table. But I am not a flathead guru.
     
  3. metalman
    Joined: Dec 30, 2006
    Posts: 3,297

    metalman
    Member

    Sounds like the block is junk. Check the crank, if it's a Merc at least there is some value there.
     
  4. Mike51Merc
    Joined: Dec 5, 2008
    Posts: 3,856

    Mike51Merc
    Member

    Don't give up yet. Those aren't the "kiss of death" cracks like panrail or webbing cracks.
    Those cracks may very well be fixable, if the entire length of the crack can be reached for drilling and pinning. The valve seat crack can be fixed by counterboring for new oversize valve seats.
     

  5. Consider drilling and pinning, along with new valve seats and sleeves for the cylinders.
     
  6. pdq67
    Joined: Feb 12, 2007
    Posts: 787

    pdq67
    Member

    You mean ta say that a quart of "waterglass" won't take care of this??

    He, He!!

    Just trying to lighten his bad news..

    pdq67
     
  7. quickchangeV8
    Joined: Dec 7, 2010
    Posts: 533

    quickchangeV8
    Member

    There are just too many cracks in your 8BA block to make this block suitable for a rebuild. Sure the cracks can be pinned and sleeves used in the cylinders but at what cost? I think you would be much better off looking for another 8BA block rather than trying to fix a cracked block. Flatheads cost money to rebuild and I believe you should start your rebuild with the best block you can find.
     
  8. Jimmy2car
    Joined: Nov 26, 2003
    Posts: 1,707

    Jimmy2car
    Member
    from No. Cal

    Those cracks ARE the kiss of death. Don't ever even think about using it.
    Drilling and pinning NEVER lasts on anything beyond a stock engine.
    NEVER
     
    Travis T likes this.
  9. Vegas_Cleaver
    Joined: Jan 21, 2007
    Posts: 213

    Vegas_Cleaver
    Member

    Thanks for the input. Hard lesson learned on my part.
     
  10. 97
    Joined: May 18, 2005
    Posts: 1,982

    97
    Member

    It depends on your end goal! If it's for a drag car , just bore it to max, sleeve it , put new hard seats in and grout the block... and run it on alky . it can't leak if there is no water in it.
     
  11. Generally,cracks from the bore into the valve seat are considered junk.Having owned and sold probably 30 flatmotors,when I see one similar to what you are describing,I step away.However,I have heard and read of some people who try to save the blocks,but don't really know how successful they are.Personally,I would look for another block. image.jpg
     
  12. ROADSTER1927
    Joined: Feb 14, 2009
    Posts: 3,127

    ROADSTER1927
    Member

    I agree set the block aside. You may have a bunch of good parts for your next one. Gary
     
  13. Flathead Dave
    Joined: Mar 21, 2014
    Posts: 3,959

    Flathead Dave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from So. Cal.

    Get rid of the block. Now, I have the typical crack in between the water jacket hole and bolt hole. Although, all cracks are bad, my type of crack is not the kiss of death. Just some airplane goop on the bolt, torque it to get it close to what it is supposed to be and allow it to set up and no leaks. Does not affect the motor in anyway. No over heating, no spewing of coolant and no loss of compression.

    Good luck on finding a block that is usable. They are out there and be sure to pull both heads before purchasing an old used block.
     
    Travis T likes this.
  14. BLUDICE
    Joined: Jun 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,511

    BLUDICE
    Member

    Cracks in flathead Ford V8's are so common that Henry gave them part numbers! I'm getting ready to pull the heads on mine today - suspect bad head gaskets - losing coolant. I hope it's just the gaskets.
     
    Flathead Dave and LOU WELLS like this.
  15. Flathead Dave
    Joined: Mar 21, 2014
    Posts: 3,959

    Flathead Dave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from So. Cal.

    I forgot all about Henry Ford numbering the cracks. (JK)
     
  16. FlatheadDave,what is this airplane "goop" you apply to the block(for cracks I presume) and how well does it work? I have a very obvious and visible crack thar runs in the water jackets only about six inches long and runs vertically only in the center of the block. I definitely thought about welding,but was wondering about the airplane "goop"?
     
  17. I have just picked up my Flattie from the engine reconditioners. Sent away a crack free block and got it back with 2 cracks. Wonderful what a bath and a dip will find :(. My builder has left the cracks as they are, simply boring out the head stud holes and fitting helicoils, problem fixed. the cracks in mine are between the water passage holes and the head stud hole in each case.
     

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