Guaranteed good running 230 dodge flathead six cylinder engine

[Marty C]

I thought the same thing but I’m not too savvy on engine rebuilding procedures 

I think I’m going to sue this guy once I get more info on how bad the block and components really are that he assured me we’re fine!

[Sniper]

This story has the distinct odor of fish floating around it.

[Marty C]

Meaning?

[Sniper]

Meaning I wouldn't sue anyone if I were you.

[kencombs]

why is the block unusable?   can it not be cleaned up at .080 0ver?

[Marty C]

All right no one has really helped me finding a running 230 flathead 6

I know anything can be fixed my engine rebuilder is just trying to save me a ton of money and I trust him. 
I only said I feel like suing to try to get my money back because my first rebuilder never checked any other cylinders or pistons and when he assured me the pistons and rings were fine along with crank bearings cam and chain!

piston rings cam and crank along with some of the bores all need major work and all replacements. 
so why would he do all of this valve work when the rest of the engine was so bad. Well it may have been my fault because I told him the valves looked bad and they did and the tops of the pistons all looked good and pretty clean and I mentioned that and he agreed with me but I’m not the expert he is and he ran with that he just saw an easy way to make money and redo the valves and assured me everything else was fine and it wasn’t so that’s why I want to sue him 

 

[Sam Buchanan]

43 minutes ago, Marty C said:

<Well it may have been my fault>

 

Don't waste your time suing, the man did exactly what you asked him to do (according to what you are telling us).

 

Besides....you just blew your case with the above quote.

 

This is an unfortunate situation, I feel for you. However.....this illustrates why we must be an informed customer and understand all the implications when asking for services. Just trusting someone may not be sufficient. I hope you end up with a good engine in some way.

[wallytoo]

hmmm.  the way i read the invoice, they consider pulling all six piston assemblies as a unit, not that they only pulled one piston.  still could have different sizes, but each could be “in spec” for their respective cylinders.

[Los_Control]

My 2 cents.

First there are forum rules about buying/selling in the open forums. There is a classified section, you can post a "WTB" add there.

While not impossible to find a recent rebuilt 230, most likely you will end up with a core and rebuild it.

 

Here you will get all sorts of good and different advise how to proceed with what you have ... and there is plenty of advise being offered.

 

You have 2 different opinions from 2 different mechanics. Very possible they have 2 different personalities.

1rst one may be correct that as is may run fine for a long time without any major work.

 

2nd mechanic does work in a machine shop and access to all the goodies, does perfect work & will not stand behind anything less then perfect.

 

Both mechanics can be correct at the same time.

Sometimes it would be best to buy a few simple tools from harbor freight $20--$30 and measure the cylinder bores yourself.

Check the crank shaft with same tools. If they are even close to being in specs, possible you can install new rings & bearings and put it back together to run.

While in the meantime you can find a better 230 block to rebuild and later install it.

 

Having a 70+ year old engine, if you can maintain decent oil pressure, puff a lil smoke now and then just not something to worry about.

 

At least if you were to measure the bores and share the numbers here, people would have a better idea what NEEDS to be done.

 

 

[Bryan]

Possible engine (Unknown condition) within a hundred miles..  (1) Marketplace - 1948 Plymouth flathead 6 engine | Facebook        One is Flathead Mopar - Outside 100 miles (1) Marketplace - Ford dodge Chrysler flathead v6 engine motor truck car | Facebook    This guy looks nuts.. might be a scam. $100 block.   $6 shipping for a block from Maryland.  5-6 cylinders scuffed. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/589212159177531/?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A6ca726cb-25e8-445a-975e-9e7db20efe2d

Edited January 28, 2022 by Bryan

[Marty C]

On 1/26/2022 at 5:55 PM, Sniper said:

You know, they make pistons for up to .080 over for this engine.

 

Find a machine shop that knows these engines,  You already got way too  much money into the valves and seats and you will have to toss that if you go with another engine

Did your friend the machinist do any sonic checking of the wall thickness?  Because if he didn't I would take his advice for what you paid for it, nothing.

 

On 1/26/2022 at 6:12 PM, keithb7 said:

For reference,
$6K ought to get you a nice rebuilt 230. 

I would not buy any engine to install for quick use without:

 

1: pulling rods and plasti-gauge

2. pulling mains and plasti-gauge

3. cranking over and measuring oil pressure and compression

4. Pulling head and checking top ridge

5. Look at cylinder walls & Mic bore. 

 

If I can’t do any of that, I’m offering a generous $200 for a core value. I don’t care if it was running when parked, pulled, whatever. 
 

That’s just me. I’m a little more enlightened after just completing my own 236 Mopar engine rebuild.  Maybe my attitude seems harsh? ?

 

 

On 1/26/2022 at 6:20 PM, Bryan said:

After getting into the one my father had bought and finding 2 cut off studs of the 8 crank to Fluid Drive studs...no..

 

On 1/26/2022 at 9:53 PM, Andydodge said:

After being screwed by a so called engine rebuilder many years ago when I had the original engine in my 1940 Dodge supposedly rebuilt which lasted less than 1000 miles before I discovered that the crank journals were scored(sump was full of swarf which hadn't been cleaned out) I vowed never to pay these jerks again to "rebuild" an engine for me, so when I decided to get the 318 Poly I'd subsequently installed in the 1940 Dodge rebuilt I disassembled the engine myself and learnt how to measure things........then took the block, crank etc to a different and more reliable machine shop......had them do the work including balancing then I picked up and assembled the lot and reinstalled the engine.........been going strong since 1975.......and no, I was not a mechanic,just a humble government clerk who just decided that I couldn't do a worse job than these "butchers" so decided to teach myself, got a workshop manual, proper tools and had a go........yeh, I was young, bright eyed and bushy tailed but these old engines are not rocket science, by all means get a proper machine shop to do the work but assemble it yourself...........its very satisfying and rewarding...........Andyd     

Probably will not sue but I sure learned an experience solution 

yes I know anything can be fixed especially these engines with such a long run

my current builder whose a friend and someone I trust thinks it better to find another block with less issues

thank you all for your help

 

[kencombs]

53 minutes ago, wallytoo said:

hmmm.  the way i read the invoice, they consider pulling all six piston assemblies as a unit, not that they only pulled one piston.  still could have different sizes, but each could be “in spec” for their respective cylinders.

Me too.  especially when considering the price of that line item.  $295 to pull one piston, clean that bore and measure? I doubt that.

[Sniper]

I would not trust any machinist that told me to throw away $1300 work of work without having sonic checked the bores to verify they are not usable.  It's cheap, easy and the ONLY accurate way to say the bores cannot be taken to .080"  No eyeball check can do that, period.  Friend or no friend.

 

Did the original machine shop give you a chart of the bore measurements you paid for?

[allbizz49]

Sounds to me like both machinists aren't very good at what they do or it's too far out of their comfort zone to work on your motor. Machining is machining. If you have specs for an engine, you should be able to do it  that's like saying I can't paint your car red because I only shoot white  Personally, I'd tear it all of the way down and really clean and inspect it. No reason to not rebuild what you have. Who's to say whatever running replacement you buy is going to be worth a darn. Might end up in the same boat. Good luck with whatever you do.

[ggdad1951]

Just to be clear: no offers of engines to be bought, sold or aquired should be on the main forum.  Several posts in this tread have been reported for doing so.  Keep it to potential vendors for repairs, helpin understanding the proper path and such.  If in need of an engine, please post to the classifieds adds as the site owner has requested.  Thanks much.  Hope things work out for you.