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1960 American flathead

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Dstark0828 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dstark0828 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 1960 American flathead
    Posted: May/16/2021 at 11:00am
New to rambler. My son bought a flathead engine. We need pistonss and rings. Overboard to .020 or .030+. Are pistons and ring sets available? Where if so? The car is a 1960 American Super? Thanks for any info!!! 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pacerman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/16/2021 at 11:07am
Try one of the AMC vendors like Galvin's Rambler Parts first.   They have a better chance of having the rings than the pistons.   Kanter's Auto Parts in New Jersey specializes in Packards but they have a lot of old factory inventory of the independents like AMC and Nash.  They might have the pistons or you can try Egge Machine for the pistons.   Good luck.  Joe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dstark0828 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/16/2021 at 2:20pm
Thx I will try them all. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/16/2021 at 9:37pm

The first thing to do, before you spend anything on this engine, is have the block and head boiled out and checked for cracks. These engines, and the OHV version, are very prone to overheating and the chance of you finding a crack is about 50%. eBay has a lot of pistons, NOS and occasional vendors with new parts. 

These were sturdy dependable cars when new, but they weren't Corvettes or luxury cars, so they are usually finally-parked for a solid mechanical reason. 


There is no longer a single source for everything as far as I know. You will need:

pistons, rings
bearings (rod, mains)
headgasket (*)
timing chain, cam sprocket, crank sprocket
valves (maybe, probably)
rear seal (rope type) (*)

All of these parts are scarce, but findable. 



1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com

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al1630 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote al1630 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/16/2021 at 9:57pm
What exactly is the situation on the head gaskets? It seems like the ones for sale (made by Best, right?) are newly made. Are they still in production or all just NOS from a few years ago?
Alex
1963 Rambler American 440H
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pacerman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/17/2021 at 8:10pm
Within the last few years, Best Gaskets bought the dies and the rights to produce the former Fel-Pro brands of older gaskets from whoever owned the brand.    So the Best Gaskets are newly manufactured.  Joe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2021 at 6:38am
Kanter originally specialized in Packard, diversified into other makes many years ago! They have rebuild kits for most antique engines if you want to go that route. I don't think the kits are all inclusive, but will have most of what you need. Pistons are separate, for instance.

I don't really want to discourage you from building the flat-head. It's less prone to cracks than the OHV head, but still a good idea (and relatively cheap) to have it checked for cracks before doing any machine work. Tear it down, and when you take it to the machine shop have them check the block and head for cracks. The head rarely cracks, block cracks are usually around the valves -- unless it froze and cracked a water jacket. Valve seats can have inserts, but if they will grind correctly without them they aren't necessary. It's not a high speed engine nor does it have stiff valve springs. If the inserts are cheap enough it won't hurt though. Unleaded gas isn't an issue with these low speed engines, no matter what the shop recommends. Most recommend insert due to unleaded gas, but most are building performance engines that are being run at high rpm with performance cams and stiff springs.

Pistons are going to be the major cost. If you get pistons on e-bay look for pistons WITH rings. Don't have to be on pistons, but there are 2-3 different ring/piston sets.

The big thing is it will cost as much to build a V-8 to build the flat-head you have. That's just because it's an antique engine. The flat-head has adequate power for the American and will be very dependable, but it's BARELY adequate for modern traffic. If you intend this to be a daily driver I'd look for a 196 OHV or consider an engine swap. For a hobby car it will be great as is.


Edited by farna - May/18/2021 at 6:42am
Frank Swygert
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mramc View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mramc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2021 at 4:48pm
Egge Machine makes a lot of Kanter's parts, web site is here :https://egge.com/ ; Also check for the 196 parts under Nash , as the 196 is mostly from the Nash years.  LRDaum
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ramblinrev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2021 at 5:23pm
74 Hornet Hatchback X twins (since 1977)
62 American Convertible (still worth the $50 I spent in 1973!) AMCRC #513, AMO #384
70 AMX 360 4-speed (since 1981)
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