Reply To: 1932 Pierce Arrow Model 54 Club Broughm For Sale Ebay

[Gregory Long]

For your engine, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you drop the oil pan, clean the inevitable sludge and dirt from the pan, the oil pump screen and take a good look at the engine internal parts.

The camshaft may have some very rusty spots that once running will cause additional damage to the lifters and the cam..

If it were my car, I’d drop the rod bearing caps and inspect the babbitt bearings. Babbitt often cracks from age, and then pieces are loose in the bearing area. they are captured, so they rarely go missing, but the bearings are not doing their job, and you will develop a knock.

Inspect, and measure clearances. Is what I’d do.

If the engine has no compression, it probably has stuck-open valves. Remove the spark plugs, and look in at the valves. If they are all standing open, they have either rust or old gum/varnish/carbon on the valve stems keeping the valve springs from pulling the valves closed. They are mechanically pushed open, but only spring pressure closes them. Squirt penetrating oil on the valve stems using a spray can with the plastic spray extension. Spray several days in a row. Then gently push the valves closed by pushing them down with a screwdriver or similar tool, do not damage the spark plug threads. or pry or push so hard as to bend a valve. Not all valves will push down, some are supposed to be open depending on the engine’s postion.

Then rotate the engine, and see if all the valves do start returning to their seats. Then run a compression check to see that you have some compression. These engines would have about 70 psi compression.

Hope this helps.

Greg Long