Hi all:

I'm in the process of swapping out the siezed 1965 352 FE engine in my F250 pickup for a 1967 352 FE engine from another F250 pickup. This 1967 engine is in good running order.

While I have it on an engine stand, with great access to all parts, I was thinking of installing as many new gaskets as possible with tearing into it too much, as I have not worked on an FE (indeed, any V8) before. Which gaskets would be pretty easy to replace while the engine is out? I just purchased the shop manual, and replacing things like intake manifold gaskets,oil pan gasket and crankshaft seals sounds pretty formidable. Is it? Any tips or tricks to make it a less stressful job?

Also, any opinions on what else I should change for reliability sake? I plan on keeping this engine in my pickup for at least another year while I save to rebuild the original 1965 engine (or perhaps rebuild this 1967 one). As I said, it runs well, but now would be the time to make any changes to improve reliability.

Thanks for all your suggestions,

Gene (nervous about the whole thing)

 

Are you satisfied with the power you get out of the 352?

IMO, the biggest "risk" and the hardest thing about taking all the soft stuff on the motor to reseal the whole thing is what you're going to find, and when to stop, if you stop at all.

You really going to put that old water pump back on? Reseal the timing cover and leave that sloppy chain in there? Clean those valve covers but leave the little broken bits of neoprene valve seals in there? Pan off and you're not even going to LOOK at the bearings? How's that oil pump.....

Where is it leaking? Sometimes a leak from the back of the manifold will make it look like the whole motor is leaking.

You got a book on these motors?

 

^^What he said. If you start, it is hard to stop and then you still have a worn out old motor. If it runs and you are only going to use it for a year, then I would not sweat the leaks too much(unless it's the exxon Vadlez).