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Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 1:59 pm
by ChuckLebeda
Have a 1927 roadster. Can I replace the hogshead felt gasket without pulling the engine? Thanks, Chuck

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 2:06 pm
by Steve Jelf
I believe you can. But that big cast iron thing is pretty heavy. You want to use a lift.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 2:13 pm
by ChuckLebeda
Steve, thanks for the reply. I have done it several times with the engine pulled. There is not much room between the hogshead and engine. Just wondering how hard it would be to do a good job?

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 2:26 pm
by DanTreace
You can wrestle off that hogshead with both hands, but question is why?

Normally the felt seal over the block doesn't degrade. Unless someone left it off, and you have lots of oil streaming from the top of the hogshead.

The typical leaks at the hogshead are at the lower corners, where the hogshead joins the pan. There a bit of extra sealant is helpful, the Ford manual states to use a piece of candle wick, but good silicone sealant is useful too. Note the extra dab of black silicone on top of the fiber gasket that is sealed with Permantex. That felt gasket has been pre-soaked in varnish, that squeezes out and dries to a nice seal around the engine block curve.

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Have fixed leaks at the lower side of the hogshead there, without pulling the hogshead, by cleaning very well all oil/dirt/grease at that corner on the outside, then wiped with lacquer thinner and get those outside lower corners very clean. Then apply a large dab of black silicone sealant on the outside at the lower corners, that will stop oil seeps.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 4:34 pm
by RustyFords
ChuckLebeda wrote:
Sun Dec 08, 2019 2:13 pm
Just wondering how hard it would be to do a good job?
Hard.

I’d rather have someone beat me with a stick.

Ask me how I know.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 4:35 pm
by RustyFords
I’d try Dan’s silicone suggestion first.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 5:19 pm
by Wayne Sheldon
Hey Don A ! So, who has been beating you with a stick?

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 5:27 pm
by ChuckLebeda
Rusty Ford: That's what I thought!! Thanks

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 11:23 pm
by Adam
He has a ‘27 roadster... That’s probably one of the easiest ones to pull the hogshead on. There is plenty of access thru both front doors. Even better access if you remove the door hinge pins and take the doors off.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 6:34 am
by George Mills
Can be done...but sort of depends on age and agility...lol...ask me how I know!

I was able to get a hogshead 'up' without pulling things apart, lots of wiggle-wiggle with a putty knife around the flanges and edges...did have to also pull the exhaust manifold tho' after wasting time looking for 'just right' while lifting...it was THAT close!

I went more or less straight up and then turned 90 degrees while standing on the running board to get the hogshead out of the car. Knee went 'pop' and I was determined to not drop the hogshead. Oh well, so that's what those knee braces are for when you cross the magic age line...lol.

No problem tho' that now squirrelly knee 'got fixed' on a later T adventure. Looking at parts in the loft for a question on this site and then waking up 3 days later in ICU. My leg in an immobilizer that lasted 6 months more and being told the shattered kneecap from the fall had pieces too small too pin...so...a 7 hour surgery to find what was over 50 shattered pieces and super-glue them back together. 2 years of therapy later I can walk again...still can't get under the T but thats OK (Suncoast T membership comes with volunteers and advisors...lol). Now there is no rotation at all in that knee, never will be as all the ligaments are trussed up with titanium bridge wires that pull on the quads and shins like a caught fishhook if I try something out of the expected.

Not complaining, the alternative was whole lot's worse, right? But...be careful out there as to this day I am NOT sure my in car removal and that 'pop' did not maybe influence my later 'miss'. Gosh...I love T's.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE...

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 3:25 pm
by ChuckLebeda
Thanks for all the info. My mechanic friend was going to replace this gasket for a different owner. He may just suggest Dan's technique and see what he wants to do.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2019 3:48 pm
by Scott_Conger
I, too, agree with Dan's comments and will add my opinion/clarification to his message: The black silicone sealant to use is Ultra Black Gasket Maker RTV. This is far FAR superior to other springy/stretchy products on the market. They have a purpose and use in life; just not this one.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:52 am
by Matt in California
I am sure back in the day a mechanic would be fired if they couldn't do it:) But I would say that it is some work.

I have removed and replaced the hogshead on a couple of engines. The two most recent I had the leak between the felt seal and the pan. Good to see that I am not the only one:) Also a good reminder to put silicon there BEFORE putting it back together. I did the clean/and try to get silicon method after the fact now it doesn't leak too much.

Matt

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 2:38 am
by 2nighthawks
Scott Conger - Not trying to be some kind of "know-it-all" butt-head PITA, but I agree with you completely and would add just one word to your clarification suggestion of Ultra Black Gasket Maker RTV, and that is that it will be found on most auto parts store shelves in a group of "Permatex" products because it is in fact a "Permatex" product,....FWIW,.....harold

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:04 am
by RustyFords
wayne sheldon wrote:
Sun Dec 08, 2019 5:19 pm
Hey Don A ! So, who has been beating you with a stick?
😊

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:28 am
by Graybeard77
I found for myself it is easier for me to,pull the motor. I can can get the hogsheads off all right but not back on easy. Have a good day. Clyde

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:42 am
by RustyFords
In all seriousness, it’s all about the weight of the @#*! thing and access.

Using an engine hoist would help with the weight. Access in my 24 Touring is poor at best. I can see how a 26/27 open car would be better.

Re: Remove Hogshead

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 7:44 am
by MichaelPawelek
In the past I have lifted the hogs head in different areas just enough to slide in tiny wooden wedges, apply the gasket sealant, then pull the wedges out and bolt back up.