Thread: cost to rebuild 53 Plymouth Flat 6

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There are as many degrees of "rebuilding" an engine as there are people doing it. Some consider new rings, bearings, and gaskets a rebuild. Others go to the extent of checking the block and all components for cracks, then machining everything and using as many new parts as possible. All depends on the amount you want to spend and your expectations.

Sounds like you are considering having someone do the pulling, rebuilding, and reinstallation for you. BE VERY CAREFUL. There are thousands of horror stories of people who paid big money to get that kind of work done and ended up with a crap job, or one left half done. Not every garage or mechanic is able to do these older engines. They seem very simple on the surface, compared to the computer laden ones out there today, but it takes a mechanic and machinist who understand flatheads to get them right.

These flathead 6's were practically bulletproof. A buddy when I was a teen had a 50 Plymouth that he kept trying to blow up so his Dad would give him his 62 Chevy instead. No matter how hard he ran it the thing wouldn't die. But your first concern is getting that engine freed up. You might try soaking it in molasses in a big tub. Never done that myself, but I have heard it works miracles and molasses can be bought in huge bags at feed stores, I think. Sometimes I have freed them up using a torch to heat each piston top and pouring penetrating oil down the cylinders. Tapping with a wood block and bfh really helps too.

Don