L Head 230 rebuild
Moderators: Cal_Gary, T. Highway, Monkey Man, robi
L Head 230 rebuild
In my latest acquisition, I've picked up another T-245 engine to replace the seized one in the ambulance now. The condition of this engine was unknown, but in inspecting it, the engine appears to be in pretty good shape. Turns over freely, inside is clean, etc. On cleaning the engine off, I found an apparent rebuild tag, metallic type, glued to the oil pan, on the side. It is a "professional" type tag, like you'd find at an automotive shop. At the top it says "Engine Data". Below that is "work order" number 5016.2. Bore states 0.40 over. Mains state 0.20 over. Rods state 0.20 over.
My question is; does anyone recognize the type/name/data of the tag. And, what, if anything does having the bore be .40 over, with the mains and rods being .20 over, besides being a "bit larger" engine?
My question is; does anyone recognize the type/name/data of the tag. And, what, if anything does having the bore be .40 over, with the mains and rods being .20 over, besides being a "bit larger" engine?
Terry K.
1953 USAF M-43
Hillsboro OR
Vietnam Vet, USN
1953 USAF M-43
Hillsboro OR
Vietnam Vet, USN
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
I don't recognize the tag name, but the data is telling you that the rods, mains, and cylinders were increased in size (from Stock) due to wear when the engine was rebuilt. Mine has a mil-spec rebuild tag dated 1969 from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
Gary
Gary
Cal_Gary
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
G741.org Forum member since 2004
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
G741.org Forum member since 2004
- HingsingM37
- 1SG
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:43 am
- Location: North Carolina
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
Usually the military tags were affixed to the block. I have not come across a tag on an oil pan. Hard to say, It could have been a shop anywhere. As Gary stated your engine has had some standard machining (I am sure you meant 20 under on the rods and mains). Best to measure with mics and be sure that all is in tolerance before buying parts.. Make sure to pull the freeze plugs as well . We just did one at the shop that allegedly was a " army rebuild". I found three 1/4-20 bolts inside the water jackets



David
HingsingM37
1958 M37B1
1968 M101A1 Trailer
MVPA# 33078
"Do Not Take Counsel of Your Fears"
General George S. Patton Jr.
"Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not".
HingsingM37
1958 M37B1
1968 M101A1 Trailer
MVPA# 33078
"Do Not Take Counsel of Your Fears"
General George S. Patton Jr.
"Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not".
-
- SFC
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2015 1:56 pm
- Location: upper mi
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
I pulled my freeze plugs and found the same thingHingsingM37 wrote:Usually the military tags were affixed to the block. I have not come across a tag on an oil pan. Hard to say, It could have been a shop anywhere. As Gary stated your engine has had some standard machining (I am sure you meant 20 under on the rods and mains). Best to measure with mics and be sure that all is in tolerance before buying parts.. Make sure to pull the freeze plugs as well . We just did one at the shop that allegedly was a " army rebuild". I found three 1/4-20 bolts inside the water jackets![]()
Thanks,TRAVIS
When it comes to gambling I don't play the Powerball, I play the Powerwagon
1952 M37 FARM TRUCK
230 W/THRUSH EXHAUST, DELETED HEAT RISER AND 12 VOLT IGNITION
1941 WC RATROD
w/ 5 TON MULTIFUEL TURBO DIESEL
When it comes to gambling I don't play the Powerball, I play the Powerwagon
1952 M37 FARM TRUCK
230 W/THRUSH EXHAUST, DELETED HEAT RISER AND 12 VOLT IGNITION
1941 WC RATROD
w/ 5 TON MULTIFUEL TURBO DIESEL
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
The 3 bolts was a 'feature'. Like sacrificial zincs on a boat. Eat the bolts, not the block. (BSEG)
"It may be ugly, but at least it is slow!"
-
- SFC
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2015 1:56 pm
- Location: upper mi
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
never mind
they were casting chunks
now I have to go fishing in my water jacket
they were casting chunks
now I have to go fishing in my water jacket

Thanks,TRAVIS
When it comes to gambling I don't play the Powerball, I play the Powerwagon
1952 M37 FARM TRUCK
230 W/THRUSH EXHAUST, DELETED HEAT RISER AND 12 VOLT IGNITION
1941 WC RATROD
w/ 5 TON MULTIFUEL TURBO DIESEL
When it comes to gambling I don't play the Powerball, I play the Powerwagon
1952 M37 FARM TRUCK
230 W/THRUSH EXHAUST, DELETED HEAT RISER AND 12 VOLT IGNITION
1941 WC RATROD
w/ 5 TON MULTIFUEL TURBO DIESEL
-
- 1SG
- Posts: 2832
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:35 am
- Location: Norwood, NC
- Contact:
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
Not necessarily a bad thing; however I always bear this in mind when undersized crank main and rod journals are a factor. Grinding the journals obviously takes strength away from the crank; while not likely an issue in a general application, it could be a much bigger deal in a pulling application such as using a snow plow or some other commercial / heavy use applications.
Charles Talbert
www.mseriesrebuild.com
www.mseriesrebuild.com
- HingsingM37
- 1SG
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:43 am
- Location: North Carolina
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
Not that I am the smartest guy on the planet(or is that the most interesting man in the world?), but I have never seen this in all my years of engine building. I have done many a flathead and that was the first time I came across steel bolts in a water jacket. I did once find a British Standard crowfoot left in a Leyland engine from the factory... LOLjust me wrote:The 3 bolts was a 'feature'. Like sacrificial zincs on a boat. Eat the bolts, not the block. (BSEG)
Seems this would just add to the corrosion debris in the water jacket. The coolant cant tell which taste better anyway,,,

David
HingsingM37
1958 M37B1
1968 M101A1 Trailer
MVPA# 33078
"Do Not Take Counsel of Your Fears"
General George S. Patton Jr.
"Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not".
HingsingM37
1958 M37B1
1968 M101A1 Trailer
MVPA# 33078
"Do Not Take Counsel of Your Fears"
General George S. Patton Jr.
"Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not".
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
I wuz pullin' his leg jus' a mite.
"It may be ugly, but at least it is slow!"
-
- 1SG
- Posts: 2832
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:35 am
- Location: Norwood, NC
- Contact:
Re: L Head 230 rebuild
While pulling one's leg a mite has its place, (I like kidding around as well as anyone, but) I try to refrain from doing that here when it is obvious folks are seeking honest, factual, info. I'll admit though that with some issues I read about here, makes it very tempting at times.just me wrote:I wuz pullin' his leg jus' a mite.
Charles Talbert
www.mseriesrebuild.com
www.mseriesrebuild.com