got my 31 essex running

Unknown

i got my car running today, it ran pretty good but im not having the best of luck. before i put it back to gether i noticed the head was cracked on the top of the water jacket where the water manifold bolts up, so i cleaned it up, V'd the crack and welded it. everything looked good, the head checked out nice and strait. got an old nos head gasket put it all back together this week. the head cracked again when i torqued it, so i figured at the point what the hell, keep going. got it fired up and i saw it was leaking water through the crack. also pushing water out on the far opposite corner so either the head gasket was no good or the head is truley not flat. im not sure what to do at this point. oh and i decided to retorque the head, 2 studs stripped. and they were already relaced as there are 3 fine thread studs. seemd to run half way decent while it was running though, especially considering when i bought it, i got a box of parts and really had no clue about htis car.

Jon B

Well, congratulations! A lot of us feel like we have a stake in this, since we've followed your adventures (though your postings) since you first got the car. You sure ran into enough problems along the way; you deserve a medal for "pressing on'.



As to the crack, could you maybe have been torquing it too much? You know, those old heads didn't require a lot of torque to hold them on.



You might keep your ears open and contact any other fellow owners of '31's, as a spare head (and other spare parts) might be out there. Never hurts to have too many spares.

Unknown

well i did some searching and acme up with 40 ft lbs, the crack came back at the initial 30 ft lb torque. i might be able to seal it up with jb weld or epoxy or something. it is just the water jacket. i have found another engine, condition unknown, but i have to arrange to pick it up, its a few states away.

essexcoupe3131

Good on you James, you presavered real well, If you find a source heads there is a guy down under thats looking for 1 too, hes had his for thirty odd years

Try to keep the temptation away on replacing her LOL

I will do it for all us 31s

Mike

Unknown

temptation or replacing her? who is her? the engine or the car? im not having the best of luck but im still really excited about this car.

essexcoupe3131

Hi James, cars are always girls. and have they same temprament LOL and always need a little pampering

I have spoken to a guy about 1 for a guy down under and hes checking I will try for 2, you never know your luck in a big city or forum theres always people willing to come to the ball

keep your fingers crossed

Mike