Rebuild time on the 230 flat head engine

[rickf]

Looks like a crack since it goes past the machining point.

[outpostm37]

I will stop by the machine shop Thursday and check the cylinders.

[PoW]

64K is exceptionally high mileage in an M37.

I've seen Dodge memos recommending an interval of 15K for rebuild, due to load factors and high RPM gearing.

That little motor works it's tail off dragging around a three-ton truck. Does anyone know what mileage warranty was given on commercial flatfenders?

PoW

[rickf]

Out the door and DOWN the driveway, Down being the key word.

[outpostm37]

Black mark in the cylinder was left by the boring bar being raised, non issue.
Here is a shot of the final home process of the cylinders to .060". The Sealed Power pistons and wrist pins were weighed. All were the same gram weight.
Next is machining the deck. It had some pitting from cooling water. Machinist feels that .010"-.015" should remove any water damage.

[outpostm37]

Final hone of cylinders is complete.

[Kaegi]

beautiful. all new again

[Elwood]

64K is exceptionally high mileage in an M37.

I've seen Dodge memos recommending an interval of 15K for rebuild, due to load factors and high RPM gearing.

That little motor works it's tail off dragging around a three-ton truck. Does anyone know what mileage warranty was given on commercial flatfenders?

PoW

I couldn't find a contemporary Dodge truck warranty in my paper collection, but back in those days, new vehicle warranties - time and mileage - were a fraction of what we're used to now. At one time, Studebaker's new vehicle warranty was only 90 days.

[Cal_Gary]

Looking good!
Gary

[Kaegi]

these engines can easily last 100 to 200 K with normal pick up truck type use and normal maintenance. you have to pull the head every 20 to 30 K and clean the carbon off of everything to get high mileage. that was common maintenance back in the day. the only reason one would need rebuild at 15 K is if it was used like a fire truck running pumps and had 200K miles worth of operational hours on it. that is why even when you buy a much more modern fire truck the engines are worn out with low odometer miles. I think I put an easy 125K miles on my last 230 in a WC52 that I drove for 10 years on and offroad. I also worked it as a log skidder on rare occasion. it ran perfect and like new still when I sold it.

[PoW]

these engines can easily last 100 to 200 K with normal pick up truck type use and normal maintenance. you have to pull the head every 20 to 30 K and clean the carbon off of everything to get high mileage. that was common maintenance back in the day. the only reason one would need rebuild at 15 K is if it was used like a fire truck running pumps and had 200K miles worth of operational hours on it. that is why even when you buy a much more modern fire truck the engines are worn out with low odometer miles. I think I put an easy 125K miles on my last 230 in a WC52 that I drove for 10 years on and offroad. I also worked it as a log skidder on rare occasion. it ran perfect and like new still when I sold it.

True, but you probably used modern lubricants in it.

'50's oils wern't the same.

My Viet Nam vet friends say they drove them at top speed a when able.

PoW

[outpostm37]

Here is a shot of the block with the valve seats ground. Still have to machine the deck.

[Cal_Gary]

Nice!
Gary

[outpostm37]

More machine work completed. Here is a shot of the cam bearings installed and the deck was machined. The machinist never saw a engine block deck that was curved from one side to the other. Not front to back. He machined .012" to make the surface flat. There were still a couple of water pits left but NOT under the head gasket area. Tomorrow, I will show up with the camshaft and verify it slides in easily without bearing honing. Engine is coming along. Never fast enough, but forward progress.

[rickf]

That surface grinder was NOT kind to those coolant passage holes in the block!!! Man that broken out edge is close on a few of them.

On edit, I just went back a few posts and looked at the head before the machining and I can see they were hogged out there also. But now they are REALLY close.