Flathead problem

[streetrodder]

Got a problem with a 39 that's strange to me, bought the car with
supposedly a rebuilt engine. Obviously has very few miles on the
rebuild cause when it gets up to operating temperature cylinders one
and five stop firing. I've rebuilt the distributor, new everything,
including, points,plugs, caps wires, rotor etc. Runs great when cold
and all plugs firing. When it reaches 180 deg. Cylinders one and five
stop firing, the wires are hot, jumps to head bolt, got to be something
inside changing. I think the valves are not closing when it gets warm
and they expand, looking for any confirmation or other suggestions
before I tear it down. No Flathead experts in my area that I know of.

[atec]

Sounds like sticking valve train

[k]

What brand plugs are you using and what do they look like. Carboned up
clean, oil or gas
soaked? If you are running Champions you might consider changing brands.
I never could get flatheads to run right on them I only use Autolite 216.

kustom

"streetrodder" <r...@streetrodusa.com> wrote in message
news:1109422288....@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[streetrodder]

Yea, I never liked champions but that was what napa had as a
replacment. I have two new sets and have used them all, six cylinders
fire great when hot, all fire great when cold. No fouling, not black
plugs, not wet. I'm certainly not adverse to trying autolite, just
can't figure why all don't perform the same.

[streetrodder]

Can you explain in more detail. If they are sticking, it's only when
it's at operating temperature, 180 deg. Maybe a cold cylinder will fire
with the valve partially open when cold?

[atec]

Its been some time since I worked on a flatie , have you done
compression checks hot and cold ?
I had a 39 back in high school that was not oiling one bank correctly
and every couple of months had to pour some oil one the felt pad over
the the valve gear or it would miss and get noisy , not much use I know
but test the compression and good luck .

[k]

Any backfiring or blowback thru the carb? NAPA should have been able to
get Autolites, try Murreys or Autozone. I got my last set from NAPA.

Don't know what they go for I think I paid 3 something ea about 5 years ago,
they have about 37k on them and still going strong.

kustom

"streetrodder" <r...@streetrodusa.com> wrote in message

news:1109425636.1...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

[streetrodder]

Got it fixed, I had the old plugs which looked new, out of eight of
plugs I found 2 that would fire in those cylinders. Dangedest thing
I've seen, I was ready to tear her down. I will junk out the Champs and
install Autolites next week. Thanks for all the response, and
suggestions.

[k]

Keep us posted on the outcome of the autolites.

kustom

"streetrodder" <r...@streetrodusa.com> wrote in message

news:1109467930.9...@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[Tweakit]

Just my two cents worth, as a retired thirty year line mechanic and trained
engine performance tech, I will not run Champions in any
vehicles I own or service, that ratio of two bad ones out of every eight
new plugs sold seems to hold true. the "Old timer"
who I learned and trained under back in the early 70's passed that on to
me and I have stuck with Autolites
in my services ever since.

I don't mean to "dog" on champion but many a customer cars ended up on my
shop scope after a "home tune-up" with champions and a plug swap to
autolites fixed the problem..... maybe poor packaging?

I guess experience is a good tool to barrow, glad your firing on all eight.

Man, I can feel the gray hair looking threw some of the post here, real
cool.

"streetrodder" <r...@streetrodusa.com> wrote in message

news:1109422288....@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[Jack Crenshaw]

Have you got a pressure cap on your radiator? Have you got a
thermostat? Sounds like you're getting water into the engine. When it's
cool, no problem. When it's warm and pressure builds, it leaks into the
cylinder.

Could be something as simple as a blown head gasket. Could be something
worse.
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