Well, I took it down for exhaust (straight pipes) and that's when I could actually hear the stuck intake valve popping back in the carb. I searched the net and the HAMB for some flathead Ford stuck valve advice and found some pretty good remedies. It was on #4 cyl (back right side). I lubed it with JB 80 and fired it up again--no luck. So I tried the "pry it closed with the screwdriver trick" and ended up breaking the screwdriver tip off, which, of course dropped in the cylinder. I ordered a head gasket and pulled the right head off and lubed and tapped until the valve was smoothe and free. Everything seems OK, just a stuck valve from sitting, which is pretty common on the flathead V8. The engine looks GREAT inside. I knew it was bored .020 and the crank cut .020, but it looks like they put new valve guides in also and did a fine job on the overhaul.
I did take it for a spin down the county road, in hopes of the valve freeing up before removing the head, and the 3.55:1 rear gears should work fine with the overdrive. I'm anxious to get the head back on and have it back up to it's full 100HP.
OH-- did I mention I hate getting greasy doing mechanic work?
overspray
