1948 346 MOTOR REBUILD. TIPS..

[NELL]

I'M GOING TO START REBUILDING A 1948 ,346 MOTOR.  IS THERE A BOOK THAT I CAN PURCHASE TO ASSIST ME IN THE REBUILD? ANY TIPS TO MAKE THE REBUILD SMOOTH?  OR A SHOP GOOD SHOP THAT CAN DO THE REBUILD ( BUT I RATHER DO IT MYSELF ) IN THE" LOS ANGELES, CA" AREA.? ANY TIPS ON A GOOD SOLID REBUILD AND TROUBLESHOOTING BEFORE I PUT IT IN AND START IT UP..

[TMoore - NTCLC]

Hi Nell - Congratulations on taking the endeavor to restore the Flathead.  I am on the tail-end of a similar adventure.

Besides this board, where there have been invaluable tips, suggestions, admonishments and warnings, you will find considerable information at the ModifiedCadillac board, and a wealth of documents, along with an extensive service manual for the tank engines (Flatheads) which goes into considerable detail about the engine - Click on the 1944 link.  Oh, and the gentlemen on that forum will have good information for you as well.

http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/documents/1940s/

Another great source is a series of articles written by Walt Brewer and published in the Self-Starter.  This eight part series is hosted on the Rocky Mountain Region website, and can be found on-line at :

http://www.rmrclc.com/waltsWorkBench.html

Scroll thru and locate the Restoring Your Flathead articles.

For parts - I think highly of Terrill Machine in Deleon, Texas - they have been doing this awhile, and have an excellent reputation.  Otto hosts a list of most of the more popular vendors that can supply you with just about anything you need.

And keep us all posted.  There are several Flathead gurus here on the board, and a wealth of general information that applies to most any engine.

[NELL]

THANKS FOR THE INFO.  I'M THINKING OF PUTTING THE ENGINE IN MY 1950 FORD.   I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS INSTALLING THE ENGINE IN A 1950 FORD?.  I  HAVE FORD FLAT V6, BUT I WOULD EVENTUALLY LIKE TO UPGRADE  TO A V8 ( POSSIBLITY  OF THE FLATHEAD CADILLAC).   POINTER OR TIPS WOULD HELP.

[Otto Skorzeny]

Hi NELL,

The Modified Chapter might be able to help you with specifics regarding the engine swap.

Todd mentioned the vendor list. Click on the link in my signature and you'll find a long list o fparts vendors - mostly Cadillac specific. Some, however provide parts and services required by the hobby in general (fuel pump and carb rebuilders, fabric suppliers, etc)

Anyway, there is a listing called FlatCaddy which specialized in after market parts for flathead rebuilds.

Here's the MCLC forum:   http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/forum/index.php

Here's the MCLC site with shop manuals and Master Parts manuals : http://www.modifiedcadillac.org/