2.8 Rebuild

[Danni84]

So I looked all over the forum for a post about this and couldn't find one. So here goes: Tomorrow Im going to pick up a used 2.8 to rebuild and drop in my '84 (my current motor is blowing oil clear back to the rear axle). We have done a 70's 392v8 before but this will be our first newer engine with all that electrical and emissions crap. So any suggestions or advice would be helpful and I will update on Mondays with pics of what we got done.

 

[adsm08]

Ummmmm...............


2.8... electrical crap.... huh?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ummmmm...............


2.8... electrical crap.... huh?

They have more than their share of it.

If you can do it, duraspark it while you are there.

 

[adsm08]

They have more than their share of it.

If you can do it, duraspark it while you are there.

Ok, lets put a 2.8 engine bay next to that of say, a 2010 Escape and see how they stack up for "electrical crap".

 

[Danni84]

Compared to a '73 Int'l and a '74 Chevy its quite a bit more. The only engines I have experience with are 70s V8's which were simple as dirt and you can climb inside the engine compartment to work on em. This is new to me.



'73 International


'84 Ford

 

[Danni84]

And if I can get the parts I will do the DuraSpark while I'm at it.

 

[cody93]

do they do inspections/emmison testing in your area? if not, gut out the emmisons stuff(leave cat ofcourse), do a duraspark conversion and ditch the computer controlled carb. and there you go, simple as you want. electrical stuff realy isn't that bad on those trucks tho, but the computer controlled carbs never work right it seems and have the downfalls of carb and efi with not as many benifits of either..

 

[Danni84]

That's the plan they don't get on you much for emissions in KS. And I was really looking for people who may have done this before who could offer suggestions. Why is everybody hung up on the electric stuff?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ok, lets put a 2.8 engine bay next to that of say, a 2010 Escape and see how they stack up for "electrical crap".

The Escape at least has a more logical setup. More complicated technecally but that 2.8 setup is full of all sorts of stupid.

 

[adsm08]

Compared to a '73 Int'l and a '74 Chevy its quite a bit more. The only engines I have experience with are 70s V8's which were simple as dirt and you can climb inside the engine compartment to work on em. This is new to me.


View attachment 7184
'73 International

View attachment 7185
'84 Ford

So label the plugs as you undo them. Little masking tape and a marker. That's what I did when I swapped engines and harnesses on my 87 because I knew it was going to be apart for at least a month.

 

[Danni84]

So after 5 hours we got the motor pulled out of a wrecked '85 in decent condition. Brought it home cleaned it up and pulled off all the extras. Tonight we are going to start taking it apart and cleaning it some more so we can take it over the machine shop. Now what is the difference/advantage of the different bore sizes? Should I just have it bored .3 over or is that only needed if its really wore out? And any recommendations on rebuild kits I am thinking about using this one http://www.flatlanderracing.com/rebuildkitsford.html
but don't know a whole lot about the company. Pictures tomorrow, I forgot to bring the camera with me to work.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Only bore as much as you need to, the extra couple thou of bore doesn't really gain you much power.

 

[Danni84]

Ok that's what I figured thanks. It shouldn't be too bad there's only 71k on it.

 

[Psychopete]

Should I just have it bored .3 over or is that only needed if its really wore out?

.030" .300" is a world of difference!!!

Agreed to only go as much as it needs, have a shop look over the block, they may only need to take off any ridge and re-hone, just depends. Ask if the shop will price match on the rebuild kit then you can get it locally at the same price. That is how C&P works here, I took them a print out from summit and they got me the kit at the same price, and ordered everything so the bearings and everything else was right.

 

[Danni84]

.030" .300" is a world of difference!!!

Oops I guess its a good thing Im taking it to someone who knows what they are doing for that part.