Valve Chamber Condition!!

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, on my parts car, I have a 251 engine with full-flow oil filtration, it also has a rebuild tag dated 1956.

I was able to unbolt a majority of the head bolts, that was amazing. The valve chambers, next to nothing for sludge or crud, as most of you normally find in an old flathead.

I suppose the full-flow filter makes a difference. I hope mine looks like that when I go in there very soon to have a looksy.

This 251 I have is going to be my re-build of choice engine for my car in the future, it has the right engine ID too..........Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

Those are good signs. However, the valve chamber may be clean for another reason too. Maybe the engine wasn't run that much after the rebuild in 56, so it didn't have a chance to get that dirty. It's possible the owner rebuilt the engine, then not long after traded the car in. After all it would have been about 8 or 10 years old in 56. You may have lucked out there and the engine won't need rebuilding at all. Just new gaskets and seals.

[Normspeed]

Sounds like you got a good one there Fred.

[Tony WestOZ]

Regardless of the filtration system you would find a build up of sludge. Its too fine for the filter.

Its more a product of the heavy mineral oils used at the time.

If there is no sludge in a motor rebuilt in 56 I`d say its got few miles on it.

[55 Fargo]

Hello, the only problem, is the engine is seized at the moment, it is in my Chrysler Parts car, I am not sure what the history is throughout the 60's, but do know it was licensed in the early 70s, as I found an old paper indicating so.

This car was beat, oh don't get me wrong, there was dirt in the valve chamber, but not much, there was still oil sitting in there.........PS maybe I should try and get it unstuck

[55 Fargo]

Just pulled the head, almost no ridge on the top of the cylinder, very dirty in there, I was able to spin a few of the valves, head gasket was in great shape, a few of the water holes were somewhat plugged.

I removed all the bolts no sweat, wonder if no cylinder ridge, no valve sludge = low mileage.

The engine rebuild tag indicates it was rebuilt in Winnipeg, using the Chrysler method, not sure if it was done at a Chrysler dealership or not.

I think this may end up being my engine to rebuild,...................Fred

[Captain Neon]

Rebuild both and sell one.