So, history is I purchased very original and intact '52 from local farm that had been sitting unused for MANY years. So far, during disassembly it has become evident that the truck showed very little sign of heavy wear and tear (other than body and interior from sitting out in weather for decades. Anyway, I started to disassemble the engine last night. I was surprised when I pulled the lifters that the machining marks (circular pattern) was still evident on bottom of lifters with zero apparant wear. Looking at cam lobes told the same story. Next, the head came off only to reveal zero wear ridge on cylinder walls and honing marks still slight visiable in places. No cylinder wall pitting from rust. Pistons do NOT have markings suggesting oversize. Rolled engien over and pulled pan. Other than the insect debris from sitting unused for decades, the bottom end looked spotless. Honing marks more visiable, shiney rod journals (assumed from babbit bearing).
Next, timing cover comes off, cam out, pistons and crank come out so I can start measuring things. But, it seems the engine just needs a good cleaning, conversion to bearing shells, and reassembly. I am stocked. Engine serial number suggests original (or at least time period correct) 216.
In the FWIW department, the seller purchased truck from the local county and it was obvious that the truck was used for road repairs. The seller only used the truck on his very small farm. It is possible the engine only experienced very low stresses and was maintained very well as counties might tend to do.
And, I started the engine before pulling it out of the truck and it purred like a kitten.
Last edited by DavidF; 06/14/2012 8:53 PM.
