How Many Run Un-Rebuilt Engines

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, I know a number of forum members have rebuilt engines, but I suspect many do not.

Mine is a used engine from a 1951 Canadian Dodge, supposedly low miles, will never know.

With you guiys driving with older higher mile, unrebuilt engines, how fast do you drive the cars, how much oil do you use, how much can an older flathead take.

I figure I go through about a quart every 700 miles or so the oil pressure is good, the compression last test was uniform at 100 to110.

I do take it easy on this engine drive at 50 to 55 mph most of the time, have a 3.73 diff, with a 3 spd standard trans. I do want to make this engine last a while, so want to baby her till then...........Fred

[Barabbas]

My 52 Cranbrook has only 59,000 miles and has never been rebuilt. I have the 4.1 rear end. She really wants to cruise at 50-55, so until my overdrive comes I keep her there. Use less than 1 qt of oil every 1000 miles. I haven't checked compression yet, but she runs smooth

[kevinanderson]

I've got 106k on my '48 Plymouth. Doubt it's been rebuilt. I'm the 3rd owner and 2nd owner didnt do anything to the block. 1st owner didnt use it much. Ther is some ring groove wear when I had the head off and milled. Uses less than a quart every 1000 miles or so. I drive it like it was meant to be. The new overdrive is alot easier on the revs. Starts really well, even with the 6volt system, even when it was pretty cold. Glad I never messed with an 8 volt set up. I burn(oops-use!) 30 Rotella.

[55 Fargo]

Good to hear there are some old survivor engiens like mine out there. I guess the majority of our forum members have rebuilt engines.

Kevin I also use Shell Rotella T 15 w40 oil, has a very high zinc content still, at least in Canada.....Fred

[Barabbas]

I haven't been too particular about oil I use Pennzoil 30wt in what passes for Summer in the PAC NW and 10W 30 in the "winter" (temps only get down to 20). Should I be more concerned? I thought today's oils would be a heck of a lot better than the original lubricants

Mike

[BloodyKnuckles]

I am just about ready to roll 100,000 miles and I believe the engine to be original and un rebuilt. I have had the head off and oil pan and the insides look great.

I have put 30,000 miles on this car since I have owned it. I can be abusive at times to the poor little engine but I do take care of it. I was very happy when I put the OD in. It keeps the rpms down and I feel it has probably saved the engine so far.

BTW...I run Lucas and 1 quart of 20w50.

BloodyKnuckles

[55 Fargo]

I am just about ready to roll 100,000 miles and I believe the engine to be original and un rebuilt. I have had the head off and oil pan and the insides look great.

I have put 30,000 miles on this car since I have owned it. I can be abusive at times to the poor little engine but I do take care of it. I was very happy when I put the OD in. It keeps the rpms down and I feel it has probably saved the engine so far.

BTW...I run Lucas and 1 quart of 20w50.

BloodyKnuckles

I run a little Lucas in mine too, plus the Rotella T oil. So how fast would you be drivin before the OD trans, and how fast after the OD trans, what size diff have you got.....Fred

[BloodyKnuckles]

I run a little Lucas in mine too, plus the Rotella T oil. So how fast would you be drivin before the OD trans, and how fast after the OD trans, what size diff have you got.....Fred

I have had a failure with my OD which is being taken care of as we speak. This has given me some insight on the straight 3-speed and the OD.

The regular 3-speed has the slow 2nd. Believe it or not I really like the slow 2nd. With the tired engine it pulls real nice in 2nd. The OD has the fast 2nd and it takes a long time to get into the power band. I like the fast 2nd but the slow 2nd is just as nice but in a different way.

With the regular 3-speed I run a steady 60-65. I don't feel I'm taxing the engine too much. With the OD I run a steady 80-85 and have done 115 a few different times.

I have driven the heck out of my OD, at least 28,000 and about 2000 without OD. It failed on me for some undetermined reason. It is at George Ashe's being rebuilt.

I have to admit, the OD is worth it's weight in gold. They are priceless if you really drive these cars.

BloodyKnuckles

[Barabbas]

George must be busy--He's rebuilding a '52 OD with a "fast" 2nd gear for me.

[BloodyKnuckles]

George must be busy--He's rebuilding a '52 OD with a "fast" 2nd gear for me.

You'll be very pleased.

BloodyKnuckles

[pflaming]

Since I have no idea how much I will use my truck I am doing minimum work on the engine that came with the truck which so far has included, valve reseating, different pistons and new rings, planed head, block cleaning, and the usual electrical: new plugs, wires, points, coil, wiring harmess, and a new fuel pump. New rings etc going in next week, they are on order. Goal is to have it running by end of the week. In retrospect I guess this is a 2/3rds rebuild.

[Young Ed]

That might just do ya. Of course all engines are different but we have one that is about like that. Second owners of a 54 4dr. Got it barely running with a hole in 1 piston. Put in a used piston out of a diff flathead new rings and bearings.

[55 Fargo]

I have had a failure with my OD which is being taken care of as we speak. This has given me some insight on the straight 3-speed and the OD.

The regular 3-speed has the slow 2nd. Believe it or not I really like the slow 2nd. With the tired engine it pulls real nice in 2nd. The OD has the fast 2nd and it takes a long time to get into the power band. I like the fast 2nd but the slow 2nd is just as nice but in a different way.

With the regular 3-speed I run a steady 60-65. I don't feel I'm taxing the engine too much. With the OD I run a steady 80-85 and have done 115 a few different times.

I have driven the heck out of my OD, at least 28,000 and about 2000 without OD. It failed on me for some undetermined reason. It is at George Ashe's being rebuilt.

I have to admit, the OD is worth it's weight in gold. They are priceless if you really drive these cars.

BloodyKnuckles

Bloody Knuckles, you sure ain't afraid to push this old girl to the outer limits.

Actually I wish I had as much guts as you, but like to keep my old girl at below 60 mph, and usually cruise at 50 to 55 mph.

What have you got for rear gear ratio. I am running 3.73s gears in my diff.

I suppose 100 mph with an OD trans would be like driving 75 mph without, getting close to 3500 rpms, now that's performance.

I know my car would be hard to handle if something went south at 70 mph and over, these old girls may be hard to handle at higher speeds.......Fred

[BloodyKnuckles]

Bloody Knuckles, you sure ain't afraid to push this old girl to the outer limits.

Actually I wish I had as much guts as you, but like to keep my old girl at below 60 mph, and usually cruise at 50 to 55 mph.

What have you got for rear gear ratio. I am running 3.73s gears in my diff.

I suppose 100 mph with an OD trans would be like driving 75 mph without, getting close to 3500 rpms, now that's performance.

I know my car would be hard to handle if something went south at 70 mph and over, these old girls may be hard to handle at higher speeds.......Fred

Fred, I do have a tendency to push the limits of everything that I operate.

As for the gear ratio, I believe it's a 3.9. With the OD it is very nice to cruise at 60-65. The engine is probably happiest there but I tend to chose to drive a bit faster.

As for these cars being hard to handle, I think you have to push the limits of the car to truely understand how it will react. I know that it's not a sports car but I don't race around curves either. The bias plies that I run limit me alot in the handling department. They track great and ride very nice but they like to squeal and slide if pushed too hard.

I have completely rebuilt my suspension when I got the car. I also lowered it by cutting 2 wraps from the front coils and 3" blocks and about 500 pounds of spare parts and tools in the trunk. I know the limits of my old car.

I truely enjoy driving my cars. I am self sufficient because I know the likelyhood of a breakdown is pretty good so I choose to come prepared. This is probably the reason I feel compelled to push the limits like I do.

BloodyKnuckles

[mrspeedyt]

my driver '41 de soto is showing 92000 now... my friend bought it with 72000 in 1975. it looks like it has never had the head off ... but i admit i haven't looked closely under the grime. i change the multigrade at about 700-800 miles. still has the 6v too... and 16" truck recaps that were put on in 1975.

[1955 plymouth]

I have the original engine in most of my old rides, the 50 Deluxe, "52 Pilothouse, both 55 Belvederes. the Chevelle has been rebuilt. its the newest classic.

Edited April 5, 2010 by 1955 plymouth

[Rodney Bullock]

WOW, it's hard to believe what I am reading. Bloodyknucles runs his car at 80 mph. I would be afraid to go anywhere near that with my coupe. I think most who are attaining speed like that have advanced speed equipment on their 6 right? I have a 3.9 gear in the rear of mine. When I got my car I was told that the motor was new(rebuilt) and the guy just could not start it(6volt) I have never had a problem with it other than being egnorant as to how to hook up the starter relay and wiring. Once I got it running it was a pleasure to drive. Thanks to the forum!

Since I have other antiques(chevy) I don't push the car. I know the limitations, I try to drive with other antiques when touring this keeps us safe and sound. The freeways around here almost require you to drive at 65 miles an hour to keep up. I have pushed it just a little. Who knows my speedo might not be regestering right and I could be going 70:)with the wind to my back.

I use Rotella-T like you fred and some ZDDP. I also put in some lucus to sweeten the mix. On the old cars I think thicker is better.

I try to be very careful with my old girl. I had it up to 60 going down hill and almost lost my mind:eek: All in all I have never stained it. What ever I do it always reacts well and I have been on very long road tours with it.

[Rodney Bullock]

Fred, I forgot to mention, the 1941 Studebaker champion that I have that motor has never been rebuilt. It was an estate car and had 27,000 miles on it when I got it. You can hear the rods in that thing when you first start it, When the temp gets up and the oil gets hot you don't hear anything. It's very strange the more you drive it the nicer the motor gets. I just replaced the water pump and carb, complete tune up. The started and ran. It is a great little motor. Oh the rear in that is a 4:11 no over OD with that car 65 is not unheard of because it is very light:)

[Plymouthy Adams]

I cannot say for certain as I do not have the actual history of the car..but if I were to gamble on a guess...I would say my 54 is still original...this is based on the records of oil service date/mileage on the door jambs...plus the original silver paint and its overall condition

[Vazlov1949]

96,000 miles and counting on my 49 1/2 ton

[RobertKB]

My '53 Plymouth engine is pretty original. Only internals that are not original are the rings and one valve that was burnt. Pistons and bottom end are original as I plasticgauged the shells and everything was good. That was 25,000 miles ago and probably 30 years so I would say my motor is basically unrebuilt. Presently has 97,000+ miles on it.

The engine in my coupe is from a three ton grain truck and had about 35,000 miles on it when I got it. Had a burnt exhaust valve in number six which I fixed and lapped the other valves. Interestingly, in this motor, the exhaust and intake valves are the same diameter. I have probably put another 20,000 miles on it since then. I always get the impression the engine thinks it has gone to engine heaven as pulling my coupe is a far easier job than a fully loaded 3 tonner. Got that engine for a block of cheese but that's another story.