Engine: 1937 President 8 Cylinder

[Bo Markham]

Help! Member in need of a cylinder head. Tried to repair the one on the car, but it is cracked, nearly in two.

[studegary]

I wish you good luck in finding one. The head on my 1940 President was cracked in half at about the halfway point. I had no problem buying a new head gasket. A new head was another problem. I knew of an engine that had been pulled to make a street rod. I went to the junk yard where the engine was taken. I climbed a large pile of slippery (mix of oil and water/antifreeze) engines and removed the head. I tend to remember things like that <G>.

[Hallabutt]

Bo,

Need to know if the head is the original aluminum head. All Presidents 1935-37 used an aluminum head, but of different manufacture. By this time many, if not most of the 1937 heads have been replaced with newer 1938-42 cast iron heads. Today it would take an exceptionally good restorable aluminum head, or a zealot like me to want to use one. The cast iron heads are around and should be available for about $200-$400.

[Mrs K Corbin]

If it's an aluminum head, it could be repaired.... Cast I wouldn't

[Hallabutt]

Experience has taught me that most of the aluminum heads are well passed their prime. There is generally corrosion that can go right through the casting. There can also be a myriad of small cracks that only magnafluxing can detect. Find a good head and you are still only half way there, then you have to find a competent and willing welder to do the job.

[Bo Markham]

The original aluminum head has long since been replaced by later 38-42 cast head. This one can't be repaired, or rather the attempt has all ready been made and it failed. Any body out there have a good one to sell?

[tomlewis]

Bo---If you have not yet found a head I sent you a PM on a possible source. Tom

[doofus]

Bo ,try Steven Allens. Doofus