JBNeal Posted January 20, 2020 Report Share Posted January 20, 2020 That timing chain appears worn...I could not find a specification for allowable chain deflection, but the FSM has one picture that shows a timing chain installed and it appears to have less than 1/2 the height of a link. The slack in that chain translates to the earliest form of variable valve timing, resulting in uneven idle, uneven performance, backfiring, etc. If you deflect one side of the chain outwards so that the other side is straight, that outward deflection will give you an idea about how close the chain is to hitting the cover. I have diagnosed many modern cars with worn timing belts as they would be slapping against the cover, so the inside cover of your flathead might tell ya if this chain may have been getting a little too friendly... additional information - Timing Chain Details additional information - Timing Chain Removal additional information - Timing Chain Installation 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 20, 2020 Report Share Posted January 20, 2020 For better or worse I was always taught to replace timing chains and gears as a general precaution. The way it was put to me was "There are some things that you just don't scrimp on" I'm pretty sure I've followed that advice on every engine I've rebuilt. Brad 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2020 (edited) Alright, today went sideways........ Water valve to the sink leaking in the master bathroom. Replaced the leaking cold and hot water valves, that project got done. With a little daylight left I pulled out the head assembly for some cleaning with the wire brush on the grinder. Thanks to conversations with bkahler, I may start a trend for the C series with putting in a brake booster set up for my MC, when the time comes. I didn't get measurement needed today, cuz my step son showed up out of the blue. Here are pics of some progress on the head assembly........ The surface rust is from running the hose through coolant ports on the head to flush it out and letting it sit on a towel for 2 weeks. Haven't got all the paint or carbon out yet, but was a good start...... Edited January 21, 2020 by CO54 Typo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 21, 2020 Report Share Posted January 21, 2020 Looks like a 1953 dated head. Are you planning on having the head and block boiled out by the machine shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2020 The block and head will go to the machine shop, after I run them through the large parts washer at the Auto Craft Shop, it's 5 bucks per use. Wanna give it to em as clean as possible. From the engine serial number it's an early '54 so I suspect that some items carried over from '53. The VIN is also very low on the reference list from the CA plant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 21, 2020 Report Share Posted January 21, 2020 1 hour ago, CO54 said: The block and head will go to the machine shop, after I run them through the large parts washer at the Auto Craft Shop, it's 5 bucks per use. Wanna give it to em as clean as possible. From the engine serial number it's an early '54 so I suspect that some items carried over from '53. The VIN is also very low on the reference list from the CA plant. Makes perfect sense. I find it interesting that you have a place you can take the block and head to have it washed. Wish I had something like that close to me. Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2020 8 minutes ago, bkahler said: Makes perfect sense. I find it interesting that you have a place you can take the block and head to have it washed. Wish I had something like that close to me. Brad A perk of my work location. There are various facilities that I have access too. The Auto Craft Shop required a safety test to get a card to use it, they have 25-30 bays, most with lifts, various large tools that can be used or rented, 2 paint booths, tire machines, alignment machine etc. You just pay for hourly bay rental, and certain additional services/tools. I'll be doing the block washing my self by loading into washer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 21, 2020 Report Share Posted January 21, 2020 25 minutes ago, CO54 said: A perk of my work location. There are various facilities that I have access too. The Auto Craft Shop required a safety test to get a card to use it, they have 25-30 bays, most with lifts, various large tools that can be used or rented, 2 paint booths, tire machines, alignment machine etc. You just pay for hourly bay rental, and certain additional services/tools. I'll be doing the block washing my self by loading into washer. Nice! What happens if you have to leave a vehicle on the lift for a day or two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2020 1 hour ago, bkahler said: Nice! What happens if you have to leave a vehicle on the lift for a day or two? Overnight charge, then hourly rates start when they open at noon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 22, 2020 Report Share Posted January 22, 2020 6 hours ago, CO54 said: Overnight charge, then hourly rates start when they open at noon. Not to bad then. What are the hourly rates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2020 $6 for non-lift bay, $8 for lift bay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 22, 2020 Report Share Posted January 22, 2020 1 hour ago, CO54 said: $6 for non-lift bay, $8 for lift bay Not bad at all considering a lift can be really handy for some tasks. I have a 4-post lift and love the capabilities that it provides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2020 I would kill for a 4-post lift, but I'll get one after getting kids through school and onto life. The next house will have the separate shop from the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 Another decent day of weather in CO, while it's January.......Tore down the block as far as possible with the tools on hand, then proceeded to clean the outside of the block up after flushing the cooling system for an hour plus. Total of 7 freeze plugs on my block, had the 5 on the side pulled cuz I forgot about the rear before mounting on the the engine stand. Found another plug on the front, under a felt gasket between the block and mounting plate. Date stamp on the block is 1/53, and the head is 8/53. Happy with the progress. Parts got pulled, labeled, and bagged. Yes, I took pics for future reference of certain parts. The pistons have a good amount of carbon build up, all the rings on each piston move freely. I'm curious about something to soak the pistons in to get the carbon to break up and possibly degrease at the same time?????? Thanks! Today was a good follow up for the Birthday weekend too. Quote 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ194950 Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 Are you going to rebuild it- rebore? If will be bored again do not waste any time on cleaning of the pistons and rings, will not be reused. If not sure yet wait until you know. Plenty to do until then. ? DJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 How do the cylinder walls look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 Cylinder walls look great! When ready for the machine shop, and get the results, I'm hoping for a honing and new rings/bearings on the original pistons. Wifey n I both agree to salvage as much original as possible. Even with the whole 98 hp it's rated at. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 98 HP.......doesn't seem much by today's standards but its good enough. Ever hear what the torque rating is/was? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted January 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2020 No idea on the torque rating..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 27, 2020 Report Share Posted January 27, 2020 1 hour ago, CO54 said: No idea on the torque rating..... Dang, now I'm really curious! I keep forgetting I have the salesman's book, maybe it references torque. I'll try and remember to look this evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted January 30, 2020 Report Share Posted January 30, 2020 Torque..... Here's the ratings for 1951 trucks: 1/2 ton - 175 ft/lbs @ 1600 3/4 ton - 175 ft/lbs @ 1600 1 ton - 190 ft/lbs @ 1200 1-1/2 ton - 192 ft/lbs @ 1200 2 ton - 193 ft/lbs @ 1200 2-1/2 ton - 206 ft/lbs @ 1200 2-3/4 ton - 253 ft/lbs @ 1300 3 ton - 280 ft/lbs @ 1600 3-1/2 ton - 280 ft/lbs @ 1600 4 ton - 330 ft/lbs @ 1200 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted February 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 Got the valves pulled, cam shaft out, and pulled the block off the stand, stood it vertically and started filling the water distribution tube with vinegar to try to break up the crusty rust inside. Didn't get pics with hands covered in grease. Will keep moving forward. Thanks. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 2 hours ago, CO54 said: Got the valves pulled, cam shaft out, and pulled the block off the stand, stood it vertically and started filling the water distribution tube with vinegar to try to break up the crusty rust inside. Didn't get pics with hands covered in grease. Will keep moving forward. Thanks. Eric I looked again for the removal tool and still haven't found it. It's not like me to throw anything away so who knows what box it's hiding under. I'll keep looking..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO54 Posted February 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 32 minutes ago, bkahler said: I looked again for the removal tool and still haven't found it. It's not like me to throw anything away so who knows what box it's hiding under. I'll keep looking..... Thanks, I definitely like it standing on end, it's easier to get a look and access to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted February 3, 2020 Report Share Posted February 3, 2020 3 hours ago, CO54 said: Thanks, I definitely like it standing on end, it's easier to get a look and access to it. When I was trying to get my distribution tube out I think I soaked it in Kroil or something similar for several months. After all the soaking the machine shop finally got it removed by using the tool that I made. My engine was in really bad condition because it sat in a salvage yard without a head for x number of years. I also had to have liners installed in three of the bores just to make the block usable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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