2.3L ('02-'11) bad news, even though 3 out of 4 ain't bad

[Dirtman]

I don't thing the sleeves are really replaceable on the newer sleeved engines.

They are on the duratec, just not a simple pop out the old and shuve in a new one kinda job. They are press fit and counter bored so a machine shop needs to measure and prep the block properly before pressing them in. There are newer aluminum blocks where the "sleeve" material is thermal sprayed onto the block before being bored, those are not replaceable or repairable in any reasonable way. Lots of the ford focus racing weirdos re-sleeve the duratec blocks with the fancy upgraded darton sleeves because they increase cooling and stiffen the top end.

 

[Zmans]

He has a Duratec not a Lima, Duratecs are already sleeved.

Oooooooooo ok yeah nvr mind then.

 

[racsan]

I know sleeve replacement on a old ford tractor (9N/2N/8N series) wasnt too bad, but thats a whole different animal, cast iron block, 4cyl 120 cubic inch.

 

[pjtoledo]

I just find it odd that the other 3 are still holding great compression. Generally with a old worn out engine with bad rings or worn cylinder walls you see low compression across the board even if one is particularly bad. That's what makes me think its a head issue and not a cylinder issue. But with 360k you either rebuild the whole thing or replace it anyway so doesn't really matter. Just be interesting to see what went wrong and what a 360k duratec looks like inside.

with the lifter buckets shrouding the valves & seals I'm not sure that much oil can get to the valves.
these heads are almost identical to the original Taurus SHO Yamaha engines. between them and a 2.5 Duratec I'm tinkering with I've a good idea what's inside.

I didn't get all the oil out of the plug wells, so when the borescope went in it saw a reflection of the 4 LEDs in the pool of oil on the piston
couldn't get the probe angled enough to see the walls. the 3 foot probe length makes is quite awkward to swing it around for 360 viewing.

I was surprised at the numbers for 2-3-4. apparently Mobil synthetic did work for those.
this engine has never been opened up, except for the oil separator.

when it gets pulled I'll definitely post pics and wear specs.