Ford Z-heads, who's got them?

[mreid]

There seem to be issues lately concerning oil burning and Ford Z-heads. See this thread:

427 burning oil-another one

As I have two engines running Z-heads with less than 500 miles on each, but no problems to date, I have a few concerns. If you have them on an engine, please answer the following questions:

1. How many miles have you run with them?

2. Have you had any problems with oil consumption, smoking, etc.?

[ROBERT GWALTNEY]

I just turned eight thousand miles on a 392 with Z-heads, no smoke- no oil consumpion- no problems, I bought mine in Jan 07 but didnt start driving it until June 2010..

[GBowman]

That is my post...I have just over 1700 miles on mine. Spoke to Ford tech (Marty) two days ago, he told me to:

1) Check torque on intake bolts-confirm 18 ft lbs-done a few were 16/17 but not the consumption issue I seriously doubt.
2) Block off PCV valve-done

Topped off with oil to the top line @ 1713 miles and now I am monitoring oil consumption. I burnt about 2/3 Qt in approx 400 miles and started noticing smoke at start up hot or cold.

We will see...I believe 68Pony was given the same directive from Ford to no avail, I am hoping for the best. I have seen indications that Ford is being responsive to the issue of late on engines where the problem exists. I think valve seals were the fix for 68Pony.

[JBCOBRA]

Hi Gary
What does this mean "2) Block off PCV valve-done" ???
You plugged it up???

I have the Z304 heads but only bought the bare heads. Then built them up from there.
They seem to be really good heads. Not sure what they compare to though?
Makes plenty of power. No Smoke. I asked Mark when he was following me the other day. We got on it pretty good about 100 times

[GBowman]

Yes J

I was told to disconnect the PCV valve to be sure it is not vacuuming up oil and allowing it to pass through. I agree, the heads are great, I have my rev limiter set @ 6000 RPM but the motor is still pulling so hard at that point Im tempted to go a tad higher.

[JBCOBRA]

Hi G
How are you venting the crankcase?
PCV's work great when you have a baffle under them on the inside of the valve cover.

[dallas_]

Mark,
I have the Z heads and did have the problem with oil in the cylinders.
My issue surfaced very quickly (within 5 miles on the road).

Pulled the motor and sent it back to Ford. Waiting to see what they say.

John

[mreid]

Thanks, John (Dallas), please post the feedback and result you get from Ford.

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

I asked Mark when he was following me the other day. We got on it pretty good about 100 times

At least 100 times, and it looked great! I was also glad to hear that I wasn't a smoke blower when you were following me.

It is unfortunate the problems several have had with these heads and it makes me nervous to hear that some problems don't show up for a 1000 miles or more. It is also reassuring to hear success stories. I wonder what the real root problem is here and if it is limited to heads made in a certain time period or at a certain facility?

Mark

[GBowman]

JB

the breather is vented so I put a second one where the PCV valve was and blocked the nipple below the carb. I asked about the necessity of the PCV and was told it wasn't necessary-I do like the valve covers that have the extra piece to keep splash from having direct access to the tip of the PCV valve but I don't have them mine. I did not drive too much last weekend but it looks like I am still burning oil but not definitive yet. I am putting car on my lift so that I am getting the same dipstick reading each time I check it, I "think" I burned a bit in 100 miles or so but again need to monitor closer and over a bit more time.

[JBCOBRA]

LOL Mark

Originally Posted by mreid

Thanks, John (Dallas), please post the feedback and result you get from Ford.



At least 100 times, and it looked great! I was also glad to hear that I wasn't a smoke blower when you were following me.

It is unfortunate the problems several have had with these heads and it makes me nervous to hear that some problems don't show up for a 1000 miles or more. It is also reassuring to hear success stories. I wonder what the real root problem is here and if it is limited to heads made in a certain time period or at a certain facility?

Mark

[68pony]

Originally Posted by dallas_

Mark,
I have the Z heads and did have the problem with oil in the cylinders.
My issue surfaced very quickly (within 5 miles on the road).

Pulled the motor and sent it back to Ford. Waiting to see what they say.

John

Yes and what they will say is different to what really is the problem, you have to understand most of these engines are sold in the US so if a problem occurs(and there have been many) the owners just ship them back and ford repair them, i could not do that due to cost of shipping back and time so i had to do the ground work to discover what the root of the problem was, we changed valve stem seals first and it fixed the problem for a short period of time but it started smoking and using oil again after around 200 miles so we pulled the heads off and stripped them and discovered the guides had way to much clearance and were made with to soft material we also discovered the valve springs were also to soft this will make things worse cause when it valve bounces at high revs that will chop the guides even more,but in my case it was smoking from first start up so not sure why they were so bad,anyway in my opinion ford will say anything but the truth to save there ass,imagine the cost of recalling all there engines with z heads so there just fixing as the problems arise all the bs about pcv is exactly that BS!!
cheers Chris