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F-Head Troubleshooting And Repairs

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by william_cj3b, Jan 14, 2017.

  1. Apr 9, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    The machine shop still has my engine. Now they're saying it will be done by Thursday. It better be and it better be right. Frustrating! Thursday will be 5 weeks :mad:.

    While waiting I've rebuilt the steering box, drag link, bell crank and knuckles, rewired most of the jeep, freshened up the T90 and put a new intermediate shaft in the t-case.

    Parts are arriving daily and the wife is asking questions. Should have had them shipped to work :ninja:. I guess I'll have to take her on a nice trip soon (probably not in the jeep).
     
    Twin2 and Focker like this.
  2. Apr 22, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    So no jeep time last week. I took the wife on to a Star Wars event in Orlando and at Hollywood Studios Disney. She's semi-obsessed! Earned a few jeep points (I'm at least out of the red, I hope) and had a decent time myself!

    The machine shop finally finished the job yesterday. I picked it up this afternoon. Haven't unpacked it and started measuring yet.

    Now that engine is back in hand, there's a new setback. The place I ordered my gaskets from sent a L-head set. I checked my receipt, definitely their mistake. The replacements won't be here until Tuesday :(. Think I'll put on my dog costume and wait at the end of the driveway for the brown santa.

    I'll spend tomorrow cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and cleaning the block, head, crank and rods. Then I can start checking clearances. After that I'll just sit in the jeep and make motor noises.:oops:
     
    Glenn likes this.
  3. Apr 22, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    Eureka! The connex comes through again! I found a nearly complete felpro set for an f-head in the stash. I think I robbed the manifold and valve cover gaskets several years ago. At least I have what I need to get the bottom end together.

    Gotta get busy!
     
  4. Apr 23, 2017
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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  5. Apr 23, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    Patience.... that's what I'm having to tell myself. I haven't done much with it yet. My dad had a crisis yesterday where he couldn't find something (middle stages of dementia) and wouldn't let Mom have any peace. So I spent the day with him organizing his shop and just generally enjoying a little time with him. Then I got called in to work this morning. I'm going to try and get the final honing done to fit the pistons this afternoon. I may have to wait till next weekend to wash it and start assembly. It's been raining and cloudy all morning. Don't want to leave any water in this block and let it start rusting.

    Here's the bare block for now. The valves are just sitting there.

    [​IMG]

    I'd asked the machine shop to hold the bores 0.001-0.002" under nominal so I could hone to fit the pistons. They did that on 1 & 2, but 3 is nominal and 4 is +0.002". I'll still have to hone 3 & 4 as I don't like the shallow cross hatch angle they left. It's maybe 15-20 degrees. Not good for iron rings. I prefer 30-40 degrees and I think the FSM states 30. At least the bores are straight and round.

    They also did some things I didn't ask them to do. They installed the freeze plugs, welch plug for the cam and the front and rear oil galley plugs. This thing is FULL of grit and there's no way I'm not pulling all that stuff back off to get it clean.

    They also installed the cam bearing, which I didn't request, and rolled the front edge of it in when they did it. So I'll have to pull that and fix it also.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. May 2, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    Slow progress. May get to run it this weekend!

    Cam and tappets installed...
    [​IMG]

    Crank...
    [​IMG]

    Exhaust valves...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    A little lipstick on the pig...
    [​IMG]
     
    jpflat2a likes this.
  7. May 3, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Sep 21, 2002
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    Looks good! :)
     
  8. May 6, 2017
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Coming along spectacularly!
     
  9. May 8, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    So I've learned that the easiest way to get all the overtime I could never want at my job is to get two-thirds of the way through a major project like rebuilding an engine. I got called in Friday, then forced into 12 hrs on Saturday and 4 on Sunday.

    As of yesterday afternoon...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    About 11 this morning...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    About 6 this afternoon after initial run-in...



    And, about an hour ago after walking 8 miles to the house :( ...

    [​IMG]

    I'm pretty sure it's electrical. It was running good and then suddenly shut down as if I'd turned the ignition off. The engine still turns over fine.


    BTW - Living out in the country is great... until you NEED your phone to work. I was within 1.5 miles of the house before I had a signal.
     
    73 cj5 likes this.
  10. May 8, 2017
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Hope it's a minor problem. S..T happens.
     
  11. May 8, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Sep 21, 2002
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    12,367
    Engine sounds good. Your braver than I am, taking a test drive that quick. Gotta be electrical, shutting off like that.
     
  12. May 8, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
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    Not necessarily brave. Stupid, maybe. :D

    Actually, the engine had a couple of hours and 30 miles on it before I ventured away from the house. The neighbors probably thought I was nuts driving up and down the road at different speeds, accelerating and decelerating. Strike that, they already know I'm crazy. They were just marveling at the newfound effect of mental condition on my behavior.:confused:
     
  13. May 8, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
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    That's still brave. With the questionable parts nowadays I might test it for weeks without leaving the driveway! :D
     
  14. May 8, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
    Messages:
    421
    Guys, I need some advice. Is this wired correctly?

    [​IMG]

    It's running again, but with overheating issues. I think the t-stat isn't working right.

    The carb needs some work. It has an off-idle stumble and seems like it's lean at WOT. I need to get a few highway miles on it and read the plugs.
     
  15. May 8, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    :(:(:(

    [​IMG]


    And to answer your question, no. Never use crimp connectors.
     
    Last edited: May 9, 2017
  16. May 8, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Ha! No, the connector is supposed to be one piece. :D
     
  17. May 8, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Overheating as in boiling over, or just running a bit warmer than previously?
     
  18. May 8, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Burped the cooling system? Thermostat have a ⅛" bleed hole/bypass?
     
  19. May 9, 2017
    william_cj3b

    william_cj3b 3BOB driver

    Milton, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2003
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    Yeah, I know. I keep a couple jumpers in my tool kit. I was just too damned tired to see the problem. I remember looking at the coil connections. The wire was probably laying in a position that looked ok. Funny thing, I couldn't sleep when I finally made it home.

    Personally, I've never had a problem with quality crimp terminals. This was not a quality piece (very thin material).
    Boiled over. The first time I ran the engine up to temp it got up well over 200 before the stat opened, then it settled down to 180-190 and stayed there. I should have taken clue right then. Hopefully no damage done.
    Don't remember for sure, but I'm willing to bet there's no bleed hole. I going to put the old one back in tonight.
     
  20. May 9, 2017
    GeoffreyL

    GeoffreyL Well-Known Member

    moorestown, nj
    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2012
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    1,521
    I'm sure its fine, it takes a lot to cook these engines. 454's take a lot to cook too, don't ask me how I know.
     
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