Beverly Hillbillies, Part Deux

[rickf]

If you think that engine is toast here is a video you need to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWxwB9rs_tU

[m3a1]

Yup. Watched that one already. The video describes the reason for my personal interest in them fairly well. Flatheads are the archetypical go-fast engine of the period, with a twist. They weren't great performance engines straight out of the box as compared to modern engines but, when compared to earlier engines...then one could make a very reasonable argument that they were. With the introduction of the 49 shoeboxes, all the older cars seemed dated and suddenly there were plenty of old donor cars to be had.

Announcer Voice: 85 H.P. of rompin' stompiin' power!

What these engines DID do well was they provided ample opportunity for adrenaline junkies to feed their need and with a basic set of tools and some basic understanding, during the week the average guy could make some serious improvements to a flathead after dinner and be ready to roll by the weekend.

Engines today have most of the kinks already worked out. One of the very best things about these old flathead engines is the fact that their designs were rather raw (i.e. ridiculously basic) straight out of the box which allowed for a lot of creativity (and learning opportunities).

As for THIS engine, like any other 'junk' engine, the jury is still out. Much remains to be seen. Yes, it has been stored badly, but not horribly, but it has a good a chance of living again as any other ancient junkyard engine. Appearances can be deceiving which I suppose is the heart of what has made this thread interesting (That, and taking as-yet unrealized opportunity to its limits.)

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My first view of the car had me believing the frame would be completely rusted away or so badly compromised as to be utterly useless (it's completely intact); that the wheels would never turn again (I think we have proven that to be completely and utterly wrong) and that something this cruddy has no useful purpose. At a minimum, it makes an excellent birdhouse (and ample fodder for a blog.)

On top of everything else, when our readers are eyeball deep in their M151 projects and things are looking like they're going to be too much work, one only has to swing by the Beverly Hillbillies to see what's goin' on! Then, maybe the work won't seem so daunting.

My advice? When there's work to be done, roll up your sleeves and DO THE WORK!

Coming soon - The 49 gets deconstructed!

Cheers,
TJ

[rickf]

You have made no mention of the "distributor".

[m3a1]

What about it?

[rickf]

Looks to me to be a magneto. But looking closer at the pic I see the plug wires below what I am looking at. Been a real long time since I worked on a flathead and that one had heads on it. What is the piece sticking straight up in the front with the wire connections on it?

[m3a1]

Ah, yes. That's the coil.

Both water pumps turn, by the way. I really wouldn't put any faith in them at this late date but they DO move.

Speaking of water pumps, here's a little tip, just in case some of you get your hands on an old Ford flathead V8 engine and decide to dive in.

There is a hidden bolt holding those pumps onto the block...one more than is visible. A little birdie told me a LOT of water pump castings have been broken by fellas trying to remove them without knowing about the hidden bolt.

And here it is...INSIDE the water neck

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We're all smarter now, thanks to that little birdie.

Cheers,
TJ

[rickf]

Interesting, they normally used the more common round coil we all regularly see. That looks like something the military would use. I actually did know about the water pump bolt, that little birdies grandfather told me about it.

[m3a1]

I believe the later flathead engines would have had the cylindrical coil. Fear not, when all the engines gather in the same place we're going to do a photo shoot so that comparisons can be made. Looking forward to that.

Speaking of comparisons (since we are taking a brief hiatus from the automotive mayhem) here's a little time lapse of the 47's recovery. You've seen them all before...just not in one place. Five little pictures representing a LOT of labor.

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Cheers,
TJ

[rickf]

I like the birdhouse, that is great that you used the old plates for the roof and built the house into the tree. It will really top it off if a bird moves in!

[m3a1]

Pssssst!

As I said earlier.... looks can be deceiving. It's not a real bird house. i just took a forstner bit and ran a hole straight back into the trunk and spritzed it with black spray paint to give it the appearance of having more depth. I didn't feel like hollowing it out and I certainly didn't want any issues with bird lovers.

The nails holding the roof on are a totally legit, old-school farmer way of doing things. One nail goes through a square washer (because I was never gonna use that washer for anything else). The other nail goes through a round washer that is a bit too large for the nail. What would an old school farmer do in that instance? MAKE DO, of course. I drove it in and bent it over. Problem solved.

So, not a real bird house. Convincing, none-the-less...eh?

[m3a1]

Picked this vintage automotive goodie up at a yard sale where the owner was anxious to get everything gone and outta there....i.e. if nobody took it away for free, it was going in the trash.

I'LL BE YOUR HUCKLEBERRY!

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Coming with it was a trailer tire and wheel (brand new) for which I had no mate, or particular use; a four-way lug wrench (shorty); five right-angle lug wrenches of various sizes; a vintage scissors jack (circa 1980s) that worked like a champ; a receiver hitch lock that programs to the owner's Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep hard key with the first turn of the key setting the tumblers (perfect for Bill)...plus a bunch of other stuff that will go into my own yard sale next month. Most of this came in a very adequate shallow plastic tub which will be perfect for working with acids. BONUS!

Spotty rain coming through our area so nothing else is happening at the moment.

Cheers,
TJ

[lpcoating]

Here's a actual bird house for you Rick. Pennsylvania style:

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Guy

[rickf]

Is that one of those days when you just could not find anything else to do/ It is pretty neat. I have no idea what ever happened to my Pa. plates, they must be around here somewhere since I never throw plates out. In NJ if you don't turn in your unused plates your license is suspended.

[m3a1]

I don't know how you can stand to live up there with all that nonsense, Rick. It must be like being pecked to death by chickens.

Careful, Guy...the PETA freaks would point out the sharp edges on that hole in your bird house. They're probably gonna specify you build these with a rolled edge. Safety First!

[lpcoating]

Ashley's parents have some interesting decorations and this was a Christmas present for her dad. I got the idea when I saw some at a car show. Bought the plates at a local antique shop. Her mom is from Louisiana so she got a customer bird feeder.

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Guy