I'm pissed

[Mike M.]

got our 39 chev woody out of garage over weekend and the puppy wouldn't start. might add its only got about 50 miles on it since it underwent a full disassembly and rebuild 5-7 years ago--nice a resto as any vet i've done. anyway, on cranking, sounded like two skeletons having intercourse on a tin roof.pulled valve cover and 3 of 6 intake pushrods bent like cheap pretzels. On further investigating , the 3 intake valves were stuck--in a 216 ci with only 50 miles on it. I'm blaming the gasoline we're sold nowadays as the varnish culprit. anybody come up with a gas stabilizer that works? thanks, mike

[Clem Z.]

the big problem

is the fact that the valve stems are not chrome plated and rust to the guides. you can try PB blaster down the guides and tap them with a dead blow mallet to free them up. lets us know what you find.

[Dennis C.]

You're an idiot...

Get over this Blue Flame Six thing. They are an anchor - nothing more, nothing less. Seek professionl help...

[Clem Z.]

Re: You're an idiot...

dear dennis if i may be so informal as to call you by your first name,which seems to be the norm here, the blue flames were good engines as my first new chevy,a 1953 2 door had the BF engine which i installed dual carbs,cam,split exhaust manifold with duals and a dual point distributor from a nash and i blew off all the newfangled ford OHV V-8s in 1954. i saw the light in 1955 and bought a 180 HP power pak V-8 which i added the corvette 195 HP cam and did all over again to the next group of fords to come along. remember we all have to start somewhere. happy motoring.

[Terry D.]

Re: I'm pissed

Nothing wrong with those Blue Flame sixes. Maybe you should drive it once in a while, like any other piece of machinery, it was made to be used. Just my two cents.

Terry

[Bob Simard]

Regarding your original question, try Amoco

Ultimate. Leaves no residue when it evaporates. Workes on Vettes, lawn mowers and tractors.

[Dick W.]

Re: I'm pissed

Mikie, as I understand it, the gasolines today do not have anything in them to leave residues. Buy a quality top end oil to add to your gasoine. It will provide additional lube for the intake guides.

BTW Get a life. Put a big block in it. Those small block starter motors just will not git you anywhere.

[Chuck S.]

Re: I'm pissed

Mike probably did a first rate rebuild on that old "Stove Bolt" using tolerances fit for a modern engine. Mike, you need to leave a little slop in there so the parts kin change places without bending.

[Chas Kingston]

Re: You're an idiot...

AND, my first car was a '49 black, torpedo-back Chevrolet sedan with a blue-flame six, and I could blow off a '49 Olds 88 through the first two gears. AND, I worked on another Blue Flame, too.

[Gary Chesnut]

Re: I'm pissed

Mike, use bronze valve guides if you can for low driven engines, they shouldn't stick. Gary... #5895

[Clem Z.]

correct

you can use bronze thin wall liners in your guides.

[Joe C.]

Marvel Mystery Oil *NM*

[Michael S.]

Re: I'm pissed

Damn you guys are OLD! I thought a "blue flame" was what I want to see on the pilot light on my gas water heater. Never knew a 6 cylinder actually had a blue flame. But I guess anything was possible in the 50's, Right?

[Mike M.]

Re: I'm pissed

You're really old if the only other blue flame you've ever witnessed was a kitchen match exposed to Mr. Flatus.mike

[Wayne K.]

And lucky to be alive *NM*