Got my 230

[Sniper]

Spent some time with my son on tearing down the 230, had to drag him away from Band of Brothers to do it though. 

 

Got all the studs but two out of the manifold mounting area, going to leave those two for the machine shop as I already broke off an easy out in each and managed to remove the broken parts, which if you've ever had to remove a broken easy out you know how fun that can be.  So my son learned some valuable information with that, first don't break an easy out, second how much fun it can be removing the broken one.

 

Pulled all the external stuff off of the distributor side, except the oil fill and dipstick tubes.  No real issues there.

 

Got the plugs out, some of them really did not want to come out, used Kroil on them but even so number three was a bear.  All of them had gaps in excess of .045"  some well in excess.  Wonder how well it ran?  Number six looked a bit rich but the rest looked ok colorwise.  This kind of thing will tell you how well it ran aforehand.  

 

Pulled the head off, most of the head bolts came out ok, one or two were a bit reluctant but came out.  Solid copper head gasket on it, no copper coat or sealant that I could determine, head popped off with no issues whatsoever, one moderate whack with a plastic headed hammer and the head moved.  No idea what brand that head gasket was, couldn't see any name on it.  Not planning to reuse it so it doesn't matter, might turn it into wall art for the garage.  Some of the coolant holes in the deck were a bit goobery.  It was interesting to see where, in the chamber, the carbon build up was.  Tells a bit about the thermodynamic characteristics.   

 

Cylinder walls barely had a ridge, just enough to barely catch a finger nail.  Might have just been carbon build up, haven't looked close at it yet.  Might bust out the KaBar to see if I can scrape off the carbon or if it's a ridge.  Both the KaBar and I have found other uses for ourselves these days, lol.  

 

In the tappet picture above you can see some of the valves are stuck.  I put some penetrating oil in through the ports three or four times since last weekend.  Once we got the head off we squirted some more penetrating oil in thru the opening between the deck and the open valve.  Then hosed down the valve stems as well.  the objective being to loosen up the carbon and rust.      I got all but two loose with nothing more than some penetrating oil and a plastic faced hammer.  I will work on the other two some more tomorrow, they are soaking in penetrating oil right now.

 

More as it happens.  

 

 

[Frank Elder]

I saw a video today were the builder of a 318 took off the oil pan and used a brass punch to gently remove the dipstick tube from the block, that is the way I am going to do it from now on.....no muss no fuss and no damage to the tube.

I hope this idea helps you.

[allbizz49]

Band of Brothers? Wow, I just made an offer on a 1944 Garand......gotta buy them before the new gestapo shuts us down. I have the 2 single thickstun too but with Carters. Great intake.Good luck with the 230. I hate to say it but I gave a complete less carb 230 away not too long ago. 

[T120]

11 hours ago, Sniper said:

 

 

......Cylinder walls barely had a ridge, just enough to barely catch a finger nail.  Might have just been carbon build up, haven't looked close at it yet.  Might bust out the KaBar to see if I can scrape off the carbon or if it's a ridge.  Both the KaBar and I have found other uses for ourselves these days, lol.  

 

 

 

 

My wife was at a garage sale years ago,came home with a KaBar. I was somewhat surprised when she showed it to me - (not in a threatening manner). While it was in very good condition,obviously had seen some use. It ended up in my garage as well.?

[Marcel Backs]

Just curious Sniper, how much HP can be squeezed out of a flathead?  By reading several rebuild threads, they seem to be a lot of fun to play with! BTW thanks for passing on your knowledge to us in the hobby and more importantly your son. M

[JBNeal]

200hp can be had but only in fantasyland...it takes work but 150hp is attainable ?

[Sniper]

I think the biggest issue with getting HP out of the flathead is how much the valve guides restrict flow.  It's like you trying to run a marathon with your mouth glued shut.  I plan to address that.

 

here's a pic of a finished exhaust port that shows where I'd like to end up.

 

https://www.facebook.com/thefreewheelingtonysmith/photos/3449910778363487

 

[DakotaFrank]

You mentioned French Lake Auto Parts.  In the past I have looked for Chevy 216 and 235 engines from them.  They almost always say without  valve cover and oil pan.  Why?

[Sniper]

No idea, I got an oil pan.  Maybe the Chevy ones are made of platinum?

[Plymouthy Adams]

12 hours ago, DakotaFrank said:

You mentioned French Lake Auto Parts.  In the past I have looked for Chevy 216 and 235 engines from them.  They almost always say without  valve cover and oil pan.  Why?

 

that can be for a number of reasons but I would add my opinion after visiting a few yards....these are pulled for an inspection for rebuild worthiness....and the time to reassemble is not invested as these places sell mainly CORE items and not running blocks.  Never stand behind a dismantler at these sights without a catchers mitt...bolts are flying in all directions.               OR               they in a supply agreement with a chrome plater for cores on these covers.

Edited January 28, 2021 by Plymouthy Adams