Matty Ruch
New member
Hello all....
Quick introduction in my first post...
New owner of a 1948 Ford 8N. I received it in running order however with a tired engine that blew oil smoke out the exhaust and oil fill tube with the discernible aromo of antifreeze.
I removed the engine and on inspection it's evident the metal head gasket has, over an undetermined period of time, failed. I plan to do a full re-build. I do have some manuals, but not one yet that provides someone of my skill level (competent, but not a professional) with the details on teardown, inspection and re-assembly. I have one on order and I'm hoping that's the right one for me.
In the interim, I hope the members here can provide some information to help me make some forward progress over the next couple days....
One-I have ten head stud bolts that are corroded into the block in a way I've not experienced before. I spent years and years in England and have a passion for British classics and I've never found an A-Series or B-Series engine that has them in this way. I have done the repeated soaking (6 days now) with penetrating spray, the 'two nut' trick and a propane torch....all to no avail. I do not have access to a welder. Any other time proven techniques that I should try before 'popping smoke' and taking the lump to a machine shop?
Two-Once I have the studs out, is it preferrable to remove the bottom half of the engine whilst the engine is upside down on a bench or use the top half bolts exclusively on an engine stand and rotate it? I'm concerned that if do the latter, the engine stand bolts may be overstressed.
Three-If you were to purchase one manual that was comprehensive and detailed an engine job for the Ford 8N, what would it be?
Many thanks in advance
Matty Ruch
Quick introduction in my first post...
New owner of a 1948 Ford 8N. I received it in running order however with a tired engine that blew oil smoke out the exhaust and oil fill tube with the discernible aromo of antifreeze.
I removed the engine and on inspection it's evident the metal head gasket has, over an undetermined period of time, failed. I plan to do a full re-build. I do have some manuals, but not one yet that provides someone of my skill level (competent, but not a professional) with the details on teardown, inspection and re-assembly. I have one on order and I'm hoping that's the right one for me.
In the interim, I hope the members here can provide some information to help me make some forward progress over the next couple days....
One-I have ten head stud bolts that are corroded into the block in a way I've not experienced before. I spent years and years in England and have a passion for British classics and I've never found an A-Series or B-Series engine that has them in this way. I have done the repeated soaking (6 days now) with penetrating spray, the 'two nut' trick and a propane torch....all to no avail. I do not have access to a welder. Any other time proven techniques that I should try before 'popping smoke' and taking the lump to a machine shop?
Two-Once I have the studs out, is it preferrable to remove the bottom half of the engine whilst the engine is upside down on a bench or use the top half bolts exclusively on an engine stand and rotate it? I'm concerned that if do the latter, the engine stand bolts may be overstressed.
Three-If you were to purchase one manual that was comprehensive and detailed an engine job for the Ford 8N, what would it be?
Many thanks in advance
Matty Ruch
