Sunday was bad!

trularin · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 06:55 AM

It was an interesting Sunday that turned bad when I spun a main bearing in the 351.

Center oil passage restrictor clogged and starved the crank.

Very expensive ouch.

Will be building a new engine over the winter. I am not interested in turning the crank and working the block, seems like it has been down that path before.

Need less to say, I am bumbed.

CowtownCobra · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 06:59 AM

Sorry to hear that. Build yourself a better replacement!

trularin · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 07:21 AM

Thanks Dave. I am currently scoping out a lower-end.

Trularin

leslie.files · #4 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 08:51 AM

Sorry to hear about your motor, My 351w decided to retire on me this weekend. I felt a vibration when the car was sitting and idling, the oil pressure dropped and I didn't shut it down fast enough. Thrust bearing stuck to crank and spun in block. I guess my cobra was not destined to have that motor in it. Weighing new options now.

Also Todd · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 10:35 AM

Trularin, where did you get the motor? My lonestar 428 did the same.

Todd

Ron61 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 10:39 AM

Trularin,

Sorry to hear about your problems. I am going through the same thing with my big block and it is costing a ton of money. Maybe I should have had strokers in both cars.
By the way, was that a real 351 or a replica?

Ron

trularin · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 10:46 AM

Todd, the engine took about two years to get all the correct part numbers. I used the suggestions from Bud Moore and another guy. Built the engine myself, so it was not from LoneStar. Sorry you are having the same type of problems.

Ron61, You always have good posts. It was a real one. You would be amazed what someone would offer for the engine with original heads. Sorry you are having the same type of problems, seems like the older Fords ( engines ) are pricey for repair.

I'll post again when I figure out what I am going to do. I have way too much invested in the Boss to switch.

Thanks for you notes!

Ron61 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 10:59 AM

Trularin,

Actually I wouldn't be amazed at what someone would give for that engine. I know a person here who has one and he really stumbled into it. He was loking for a 351 and some guy told him he had a high performance 351 he wanted to sell and it was in good condition. Turned out to be out of a Boss 351 Mustang and he had the numbers all verified. The man selling it didn't have a clue what it was and he sold it very cheap. Best of luck in getting everything back together. My bank account is really taking a beating but so is other peoples. These toys are just expensive. Now we know why we never had them when we were kids.

Ron

RallySnake · #9 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 11:09 AM

Trularen,

I have a friend who is a wizard with old engines. He's even rebuilt a flathead out of a WW2 halftrack. But, he's in Chatsworth, CA. Your location "earth" may be close?

Paul

trularin · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 05:44 AM

Thanks RallySnake, I am going to have to think on this issue with the Boss.

Hockey season has begun and all of my time is lost there.

Thanks for the thought.

Have a great... day, week, month ( gee, I wonder how far you can wish good tiding for someone for? ).

LOL

trularin · #11 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 06:19 AM

Update!!

I can salvage the block, rods and pistons!

I fear the crank has bit the dust.

Four bolt mains are a most for 'stressed' engines.

rdorman · #12 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 06:24 AM

What clogged the oil passage?
Rick

trularin · #13 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 08:55 AM

RTV.

Very nasty stuff if you have a small amount break loose inside the engine.

Trularin

rdorman · #14 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 09:03 AM

Thanks for letting us know! There is a lesson for all of us there.

Have you thought of a way to prevent the RTV entering the passage in the future?

trularin · #15 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 09:15 AM

I am changing the type of gasket on two parts. Making my own for the oil filter adaptor. It was custom made on a lathe and I think that is were the little 'worm' of RTV came from.

The other is the oil pump gasket.

I have also decided to remove the restrictors from the block as well as the oil crossover. Although I got great oil pressure, I didn't get that warm fuzzy feeling I was protecting the crank well enough.

I was not really happy with the price for this fix, but it is better than I originally thought.

Hope things are warmer for you in Ohio. I will be turning under crops from frost.

Thanks and hope to be tooling around soon.

Trularin

rdorman · #16 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 09:40 AM

Today the high is 22 degrees BELOW normal. Off to Mid-Ohio tomorrow morning to freeze my a$$ off at SAAC! Can't wait!
Rick

trularin · #17 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 10:41 AM

Have as much fun as you can. Have some fun for me.

Trularin

iaspf · #18 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 12:07 PM

Roush is offering a 2 year warranty on its crate motors, I know that was a big deciding factor for me.

trularin · #19 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the note, Jack get a pretty penny for his stuff, but it runs.

A two year warranty is a long time. Does it cover everything?

Trularin

iaspf · #20 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 02:09 PM

As far as I know, I doubt they will cover any damage by overrev ( they recomended a rev limit of 6250 so I used an msd with a 6200rpm limit chip ) or things intentional. Let me find the doc and I will post the warranty.

Matt