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Discussion Topic:
engine binds
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Bill4d1merc |
07-20-2010 @ 4:00 PM
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Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Oct 2009
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I was trying to rotate the engine by hand today and it got stuck. I finally got it to rotate the other way and when the crank was just about one full turn the opposite direction it started to bind again. It seems to bind in the same spot each time with no signs of freeing up. the spark plugs have been removed. This engine was running about 5 years ago but has been sitting ever since. The engine is the 59A style. Seeing this is my first time working on a flathead I would like some suggestions as to what to look for before I start tearing it apart.
Bill
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supereal |
07-20-2010 @ 4:05 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Any engine that has sat for that long could have anything in the cylinders. We have found mouse nests and other things, such as wasp nests, etc. It also may have a cylinder with water in it, but usually that will be expelled when the spark plug is out. The last one we had like that had an assortment of small nuts and bolts that someone apparently dropped in. It will be interesting to hear what you find when the heads are off. Be sure to post that info.
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Cecil/WV |
07-22-2010 @ 5:33 AM
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Member
Posts: 66
Joined: Oct 2009
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Or perhaps a stuck valve.
Shiny side up! Cecil/WV
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37RAGTOPMAN |
07-22-2010 @ 10:56 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1961
Joined: Oct 2009
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what you can do is vacuumn the cylinders. use a small shop vac, make a adapter,[ use a pipe and some duct tape,]so it will fit down the spark plug hole, vac one cylinder, then check the vacuunm for dirt, rust etc, then do another and see if you are picking anything up,if not dirt spray RUST BUSTER in the cylinders and see if you can rotate the engine, and do the valves on the springs and guides, etc,, lets hear how you made out, 37 RAGTOPMAN KEEP ON TRUCKIN,,,,!!!!!!!!!1
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Bill4d1merc |
07-22-2010 @ 5:16 PM
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Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks for the suggestions. I tried the vacuum and got a little oily residue but nothing else. Just bought a brand new shop vac today so everything inside the vacuum was clean when I started. I was considering removing the intake to check that lifters and valves are moving freely but I think it's more likely a cylinder problem seeing the crank will not rotate past one full turn. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and remove the heads as Supereal implied.
Bill
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sturgis 39 |
07-24-2010 @ 2:36 AM
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Member
Posts: 74
Joined: Nov 2009
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WHEN WORKING ON STUCK MODEL A ENGINES I HAVE FOUND THE DISTRIBUTOR IS USUALLY THE PROBLEM WHEN THE ENGINE WILL ONLY ROTATE 350 DEGREES.THEY SEEM TO COLLECT MOISTURE AND STICK THE ENGINE. THIS MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR A V8.
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supereal |
07-24-2010 @ 7:44 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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It is also possible that leftover coolant froze and caused damage to a cylinder wall. We have seen that more than once. Until you get the heads and oil pan off, all of this is just speculation.
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Bill4d1merc |
07-30-2010 @ 3:33 PM
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Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Oct 2009
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I removed the cylinder head on the drivers side today and found a clump of dirt and rust that had caked up on the lower side of the #5 cylinder. when I rotated the crank the piston came up knocked the dirt off and didn't bind anymore. When I removed the head gasket I noticed that a couple of holes had rust built up from the water passages. One of the holes in the gasket is much smaller than the hole in the block or head. the hole in the block is about 1" in diameter and the hole in the gasket is closer to 1/4". I think that this may be the wrong gasket. Any suggestions on replacement head gaskets?
Bill
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supereal |
07-30-2010 @ 3:46 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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First, be sure which engine you have. Count the studs to see if it is a 21 or 24 stud engine. Look at the top of the clutch housing for cast numbers such as "59". There was a factory directed change in heads and gaskets. The "new" design gasket had round holes in the middle, while the old style has square-ish holes. Looking at the underside of the heads, the top hole (the one nearest the outlet) should be 3/4" and the third from the top should be 5/8". If not, drill them to that size and order the "new" style 59A head gaskets.
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Bill4d1merc |
07-30-2010 @ 4:00 PM
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Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Oct 2009
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It has 24 studs with 59AB heads haven't measured the holes but they look close to 3/4" and 5/8"
Bill
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