New motor?!?!

[fordracing121]

Okay so I called my motor dead and I want to start over!! I need good idea's what I should do this time from scatch give a reasonable suggestions!!??

 

[skippy]

Okay so I called my motor dead and I want to start over!! I need good idea's what I should do this time from scatch give a reasonable suggestions!!??

rebuild it.

 

[JoshT]

If you want to stick with a V6 rebuild it, it's really up to you though. Considering that it is already wired for a 2.8 V6 that's the easiest thing to put back in. If you wanna go all out put in a V8, or if you like stock with a little extra go prepare to spend a little bit and do what mods you can to the 2.8 while rebuilding.

FWIW for the 2.8 rebuild I'm currently doing, I've got about $1500 in it and have most what I need to reinstall. I've had the heads, block, and crank machined. I've got a Comp cam, lifter, timing set waiting to be installed. Will be reinstalling the Offy, Holley 390, and if they're still good will be reusing the headers. I hope the headers are good if they are I'll put a ceramic coating on them and get a crossover pipe, otherwise I gotta find a set and have the exhaust rebuilt.

 

[fordracing121]

well, I got a hold of auto zone and o'reilly's and I figure I can buy a long block for $1,500 sound about right I figure it's a safe bet They got a 3-5 year warranty...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

well, I got a hold of auto zone and o'reilly's and I figure I can buy a long block for $1,500 sound about right I figure it's a safe bet They got a 3-5 year warranty...

If you can find a cheap 302 for a core a reman is about the same money, just an idea. When my 2.8 eventually departs it will not be replaced by another. The darn little things can hang on the edge of death seamingly forever though, at least mine is.

 

[skippy]

well, I got a hold of auto zone and o'reilly's and I figure I can buy a long block for $1,500 sound about right I figure it's a safe bet They got a 3-5 year warranty...

thats about right,i asked last year and it was right at $1500.is your engine beyond rebuilding?

 

[skippy]

i was re-reading your post about low compression and i wonder,have you pulled valve covers?look at the valve stem seals,mine were toast at 150,000 miles.exhaust valves were not sealing,you might be able to just do the heads and get your compression up.certainly worth a look before you shell out the money for another engine.fwiw.

 

[fordracing121]

what would I be looking for exactly

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i was re-reading your post about low compression and i wonder,have you pulled valve covers?look at the valve stem seals,mine were toast at 150,000 miles.exhaust valves were not sealing,you might be able to just do the heads and get your compression up.certainly worth a look before you shell out the money for another engine.fwiw.

The valve seals just seal the oil and keep it in the head, the actual face of the valve is responsible for sealing compression. The intake/exhaust port is below the seal, so if it was up to the valve seal to hold it all back you would be putting pressure and vacuum through both the carb and exhaust manifold which wouldn't work that well. Aside from setting the valves you really won't see much with just the valve covers off.


A vacuum gauge will tell you alot about what is going on.

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm

 

[small ranger]

If you have low compression in some or all of your cylinders, buy a compression tool. Do a dry and wet compression test before you rebuild or do an engine swap. You could save a lot of money and a lot of time. Plus it is a very valuable tool!

 

[skippy]

what would I be looking for exactly

with valve covers off,check for broken valve springs,bent or loose push rods,look between the springs at the seals around the valve stem,are they intact,broken and partially missing pieces,pieces laying in lifter valley.gently push on them w/small pocket screwdriver,if they are hard and brittle they need changed and good time to take off head and check valve sealing surfaces on intake and exhaust vaves.look at the cylinder walls,are they scratched or are they in good shape.if they are in good shape you might be ok and just need to go through the heads.run a compression check before you do anything though.fwiw.

 

[skippy]

on second thought,compression that low you are probably are looking at a rebuild or replacement.this is just me,but i'd yank those heads off and have a look just to satisfy my curiosity before buying a long block,then look at cost and time rebuilding versus getting a long block and shoving it in there.good luck and keep us in the loop.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The 2.8 is mechanical cam. If someone adjusted a couple rockers to tight you would have a couple cylinders with low compression. Probably just wore out though.

 

[Forcus]

If you can't swing a rebuild, you could do a rering / rebearing / regasket. Got my kit off eBay shipped for $150. I only plan to put 5 years and 50,000 miles on it, max, before a motor swap so should be fine.

The 2.8 is not a bad little motor just not the best. But you already have it so unless it is completely wore out, I'd stick with what you have!

 

[fordracing121]

well I did I compression test and sit bout 60-70 then did a wet test with oil and it jumped up to 120 so I think the rings are shot!