89 F250....questions?

[rusty ol ranger]

First off, i know i havent been around much but i ended up trading my Tranny slipping, engine missing, T case going out expedition for this...

1989 F250 XLT lariat, 460/C6 needs a lil work (power locks out, pass side power window, A/C works but leaks, and speedo and gas gauge out)....

But anyways, heres my question...

My Dipstick goes down through the timing cover, but i have a rear sump pan, so it is pretty much impossible to get an accurate reading, last time i changed the oil (right after i bought it) it only had about 2 qts in it, didnt knock or tick or nothing, and the engine runs super strong.

My other question is, i think its a 89 Engine but with 70's intake and heads, with a Edelbrock 4bbl, and headers.

My question is is there anything i can do without changing the pan?

later,
Dustin

 

[exbass94]

The simplest thing I can think of is, if you know what the oil capacity is supposed to be, fill it with the appropriate amount of oil and make your own mark on the dipstick.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It holds 6 qts, but the problem is the dipstick bends when it goes into the pan, so if i make my own mark it would still get super low before it showed any less...right? Cause the dipstick is basically laying in the bottom of the pan

later,
Dustin

 

[Will]

There's a number cast into the head right about in the center, right below the valve cover. You can identify the heads with that number. For instance, the one below is the famous DOVE head--high compression and rocker studs. A common mid-70s head is the D3VE which has larger chambers for lower compression and the pedestal mounted sled-type rockers. If your heads are stock, and if Ford was still marking them the same way, your number should start with an E. I think late model 460s have a taller block than early ones, so I don't know how interchangeable the parts are. I know nothing about late 460s, but the 351M differs from the 351C due to its taller block. The intake from a 351C needs spacers to be used on the M, and it seems like if you had an intake from an early 460 on yours something like that might be required. Seems likely the whole engine is older--at least, I'm guessing, an '87, because I think '88 is when it changed as they went to EFI. All just a guess though. I really only know about the early motors.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

See i was going off what i seen as far as parts go, it has a dual serptine belt setup (like late 80s V8s) but it has a stock 4bbl Carbed intake, and ive heard EFI heads wont bolt to a carbed 460 intake, AND, the valve covers have a sticker saying its a 79 Motor, but everything else looks stock....but either way... lol...thanks ill check on the numbers.

later,
Dustin

 

[1badexplorer]

Your truck should have a dipstick in the side of the oil pan. I wouls check adn see if there is a busted dipstick stuck in there or something. You maybe able to just get a tube and dipstick and put on it. The dipstick in the timing cover is from a motor that had a front sump pan. It would be from a 79-earlier 2wd truck or a car. All 80-trucks and all vans use a rea sump pan. you may just be able to use a new tube in your pan and leave the other in there to plug the hoel in the older timeing cover. Thoses covers are known for rotting out by the water passages. I would suspect that you have a old cover on a new motor. Or it is possible that the whole motor is older being your truck is an auto. The ballence for the crank is different for the older motors and wont work on newer fly wheels. The 88 is the first year for EFI in a 460 so there has been some changes made. It would be hard to tell for sure with out seeing it in person or you posting lots of pics.