So.....

My wife bought the truck as a welcome home gift from my latest deployment. I was doing some well needed routine maintence on the uni so I could get a month of driving out of it before the snow hits. There was alittle blow by from the crank case vent before I changed the sludge the previous owner called oil. I changed the oil and filter and ran the truck around for about 15 mins to try to clean it up a bit. I got it back in the yard and noticed quite (substantial) a bit more blow by. I fear the rings are worn or the cylinder walls are scarred. On top of it the main seal and valley cover has seepage. I had already accepted the fact that would have to replace the majority of the gaskets but now I will probably have to pull the pistons.

So here is my dilemma....Do I pull the 292 and do a complete tear down and rebuild or do I buy a rebuilt turnkey 302 and save myself the headaches?

maybe something like this: FORD 302 / 320 HP HIGH PERF TURN KEY CRATE ENGINE | eBay

What do you guys think? I am not sure what to do. Help please.

 

Obviously not a whole lot of action on this site...
I've got a 292 in mine and I like the idea of keeping it as stock as possible. Your situation does lend to making a decision and I looked at that 302 and it sure looks pretty.

 

By the way, looked at your pics and that's a great looking truck. I love our valve covers! My 63 has the cross over pipe that connects the exhaust manifolds.

 

I like the exhaust link too but I like dual exhaust better.

 

Yeah, dual is the way to go. What tranny would you use with the crate 302?

 

I have decided to pull the cylinder heads and see if I can notice any real descrepencies and then I will decide on what route to take. I have already ordered a new water pump for it. We will see what else is wrong. I think I might steer away from the 302 as I would have to do a mod for new engine mounts. It will all boil down to how much I have to replace on this engine.