1951 Ford F1: Video #19 -- First engine rebuild in 72 years

After my travails with the Cadillac, I was really hoping for some smooth sailing with my other two classics. Alas, over the last couple of months the '51 Ford F1 was showing increasing signs of engine blow-by. I also briefly got an alarming ticking sound from the valvetrain. An engine pull and teardown confirmed that it has blown rings and is in need of a rebuild.

The amazing thing that has come out of this is confirming that the 239 flathead V-8 is all original and has NEVER been rebuilt. It even still has one of the original spark plugs! The other seven were replaced but that one never was because it's stuck and will need some finagling.

So, more time will go by and more $$$ out the door. That's tough to hear, especially after all the delays on the Caddy. But it's a testament to how solid those old Ford engines were. And now I'll have a fresh motor that will likely outlive me!