I have a 460 that has had something go wrong with it in the $500-1000 range every year since I got it (4-5 years), and I could have almost rebuilt it by now. Now the coolant isn't circulating and I replaced the thermostat without success. Also, for a while it has been fine with oil around town, but sometimes if I take it on the highway, it just seems to want to dump it all out of the crank case. Bad gasket? Something causing it to burn under sustained loads? I think it has vacuum issues because the cruise control is very choppy, but I'm not a mechanic.

I'm just sick of messing with it and just want it to run reliably. Anyone know of a good rebuild shop around Leavenworth? I'd prefer someone who will just charge me labor+machining, and not upcharge all the parts. I can't really afford to pay dealership prices. Rebuilt long blocks w/warranty are in the mid 2500's online but if I'm going to buy new pistons, I'd like to go with 9.3cr and get a new cam.

Thinking Lunati Hydraulic Roller 20340710 / 61610, 3cc pistons. I've also been thinking about some cheap headers like Hedman 89460. From reading online they don't come painted with proper high temp paint. But I've painted motorcycle pipes and I'd rather pay $280, and have to strip and paint them myself, than pay the mid 500's they're charging for a proper coating.

If anyone has any advice, please let me know.

Thanks,
--Jem

 

Not familiar with anything in the leavenworth area. If you can hold off for a few weeks on stuff, there is a big swap meet in Lawrence on the first weekend in May. You may pick up some bargain stuff there.

Also welcome to the Kansas FTE chapter.

What year is the engine and what is it in?

 

It's a 88 F250 4x4 5speed crew cab long bed. I really like the truck, but don't see the point in continuing to bandaid it. I'm not in a huge crunch as far as time goes, but getting it fixed is a priority for the year.

 

Sorry, I know of no one in Lewarence but I know a mechanic in Lees Summit. he is good cheap and reliable. Here is his Facebook page--- https://www.facebook.com/NiermanAutoRepair?fref=ts
He doesn't have a machine shop but works well with a guy that does. He is a chevy guy but ok otherwise. ha ha ha

 

I'm not an engine expert by any means, but dumping oil at higher sustains speeds could be blow by forcing oil past the rings. It may not show up at the lower rpm and cooler engine temps in shorter town drives. The no coolant circulation may be a bad water pump. That would be an easy and somewhat reasonable fix. The blow by probably means an overhaul.

 

You can also try 460ford.com as it's a site dedicated to the bbf. Lots of dedicated Ford engine builders and they can probably recommend a good shop near you. I'm with Husker on the water pump. Does it smoke or have any excessive oil leaks? Wondering if crankcase pressure could be the issue. Fine around town but on the highway maintaining a set rpm causes it to build up pressure and push oil out.

 

Thanks for the responses guy's. It doesn't have oil leaks, but I have topped it off with oil before taking it on the highway, had the oil light come on, and had to pull over and put 4 quarts into it. It doesn't really smoke excessively, and the mechanics have looked it over haven't found the problem, however when it get's warmed up and you take it on the highway it looses power, and you can tell there is something definitely wrong with it. The oil also turns black very quickly, which I assume means it's getting burned somehow.

There is a machine shop near Leavenworth called Built Right Engines, which has their services listed here: Wix.com BUILTRIGHT created by builtrigh7 based on dr-car-repairs and they look reasonable.

I'm thinking of just buying an engine hoist and hauling it over there on a trailer. I have worked on my motorcycle a bit, and well ... it's not like it's moving more than a few feet right now anyway so maybe I will learn something.

 

From your description it sounds like excessive blow by and probably needs a overhaul with new rings etc. It may also be blowing oil past valve guides in the heads too. I'm guessing if someone followed you after it is warmed up and at highway speeds, they would see blue smoke.