Need advice, please
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota, Florida
Need advice, please
My 73 F250 fact hiboy 4wd just s**t the bed on me. It is very irregular in performance, and has run progressively more rough lately. Consuming more oil too, but not visible at tail pipe. I took it to a mechanic I trust (I've never been deep in an engine, and while I'd love to, I just don't have the time) told me I have multiple bad valves, and at least two cylinders that need rings. All things told, he says best bet is to replace with a crate engine. The work required on this one (360) is just not worth it. He actually asked me how attached I was to the truck. I don't like hearing that, but the fact is, I just don't have a couple thousand dollars to throw at it right now, especially since it's not my daily driver. So it will sit while I decide if I fix it, how to fix it, or if I sell it. Any suggestions are welcome.
John
PS I'm sure I have an "I told you so" waiting for me when I get home
John
PS I'm sure I have an "I told you so" waiting for me when I get home
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: SmallTown, IN
Agree with the above. Either a 360 or 390 from a donor truck is the most cost-effective route to go. Plus you no doubt still have lots of GOOD parts on your tired 360 as is.
Keep that one around, and find either an old 2wd to take the motor from, or get one from the scrapyard.
Best of luck, but don't give up on your highboy! There are too few left!
Keep that one around, and find either an old 2wd to take the motor from, or get one from the scrapyard.
Best of luck, but don't give up on your highboy! There are too few left!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 3
From: oo-tah
keep the truck for sure! if its not a daily driver then you have more time figure it out, maybe now is a good time to dig into an engine yourself 
even if you don't fix the 360, 390s are more fun anyhow and cheaper than another truck.
even if you don't fix the 360, 390s are more fun anyhow and cheaper than another truck.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
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From: Sarasota, Florida
Yes. I don't know the actual numbers, but he did both wet and dry tests, I think three cylinders were off. I do thank you all for suggestions. I've decided so far at least to keep the truck. I just can't get rid of it. I found a 360 rebuilt with a 100,000 mile/7yr warranty on Supplier of remanufactured/rebuilt car engines, marine and truck engines for GM, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Jeep. Pricey, though ($1,400 plus shipping), and I know nothing about the quality or company. I guess when the time comes I'd rather spend a bit more for something some backing rather than swap out from a truck where I could end up with the same problems. Right now I really have no idea how I'll go about this, but at least I know I'll sit on it for awhile. Thanks all...
John
PS- anyone have any experience with the website I mention or their work?
John
PS- anyone have any experience with the website I mention or their work?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
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I've never tryed it and I don't know if anyone still sells it but they claimed Engine Restore additive workes. A last ditch effort, maybe try to find some of it and see what happens. You got nothing to loose at this point.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Huntington WV
Did he say what it would cost to fix it? An do you know how to work on engines? The rebuilt kit for these run bout $400 from NAPA. An I would keep the truck an get it fixed when you have the money since it is not your daily driver.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 36
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From: Sarasota, Florida
He estimates about $3000 for a full rebuild, when all is said and done. That was kind of why he said it would be better to suck it up and replace it. I can do pretty basic stuff, but I don't really have the time or space to do it myself. While I would love to learn that, and the personal rewards would be immense (to me), I'd still rather spend that kind of time with my two boys. If they were teenagers, we'd go for it together- but I'm at the little league stage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
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From: Mississippi
Yes, shop it around, I was quoted $3300 to rebuild a 360 at one shop and $1700 and $1649 at two others. Both of the lower prices came from shops with good reputations, the first looked more like a shadetree type outfit, for lack of a better description. I intend to wait and do it myself at some point though.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 896
Likes: 55
From: Bothell
I'd give some consideration to finding a FE motor in craigslist or from a yard. You should be able to get a good running one for $500 or so give or take $500 This would be by far the cheepest way to get it back on the road. If you're not in a hurry, wait until you find one that is running so you can hear it run and do a compression test on it before you buy it.
This would be by far the cheepest way to get it back on the road. If you're not in a hurry, wait until you find one that is running so you can hear it run and do a compression test on it before you buy it.