How to Rebuild and Modify Ford Flathead Engines

In Ford Flathead Engines: How to Rebuild & Modify, veteran author Tony Thacker and flathead guru of H&H Flatheads, Mike Herman, take you through rebuilding a flathead. One of the most important steps is to actually find a good, usable core; many have been sitting for a very long time and the engine design is prone to cracking. Running changes are also an important consideration when selecting a core and include the cooling system, ignition, and transmission mount.

After you have selected a core, Thacker and Herman take you through the entire process of a rebuild, including teardown, parts inspection, machine shop processes, replacement part selection, reassembly, start up, and break-in.


TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• A Brief History of the Ford Flathead V-8 
• Growing Pains 
• Surviving the Great Depression 
• Building Up to the End 

• Engine ID, Equipment and Tools 
• What Is the Goal? 
• Selecting a Candidate 
• Identification Research 
• Cleanup 
• Special Tools 
• Basic Tools 

• Disassembly 
• Fuel Pump, Starter and Accessories 
• Intake Manifold, Water Pump and Timing Cover 
• Cylinder Heads 
• Oil Filter, Pan and Pump 
• Bearing Caps 
• Rods and Pistons 
• Valve Assembly 
• Bellhousing and Clutch Assembly 

• Cleaning 
• Block Cleaning 
• Hot Tanking 
• Rust Removal 
• Cylinder Head Cleaning 
• Crankshaft Cleaning 
• Sludge Trap Plugs Removal 

• Inspection 
• Crack Detection 
• Magnafluxing 
• Pressure Testing 
• Head Inspection 
• Crank Inspection
• Rod Inspection 
• Sonic Testing 

• Machine Shop 
• Blueprinting and Balancing 
• Balancing and Honing the Rods 
• Balancing the Pistons 
• Balancing the Crank 
• Crack Repair 
• Cylinder Boring 
• Align Boring 
• Sleeving 
• Honing 
• Decking 
• Power Slot Relieving 
• Pressure Sealing
• Valveseat Installation 
• Valveseat Grinding 
• Cylinder Heads 

• Selecting Parts 
• Source List 

• Final Assembly 
• Oil Gallery Plug 
• Camshaft 
• Oil Pump Gear 
• Fuel Pump Pushrod Bushing 
• Valvetrain 
• Oil Deflectors 
• Crankcase Breather Tube 
• Rear Oil Slinger 
• Crankshaft 
• Pistons 
• Camshaft Gears 
• Oil Pump 
• Crankshaft 
• Water Pump 
• Oil Pan 
• Pulleys 
• Flywheel 
• Head and Head Gasket 
• Finishing

• Start-Up 
• Run-In Procedure 
• Fire-Up in the Car 

• Building a Performance Flathead 
• Block 
• Rotating Assembly 
• Porting the Block 
• Porting the Intake Manifold 
• Valves 
• Block Honing 
• Assembly 
• Oil Pan 
• Heads