Can someone help me out. I have no idea what this bolt is. You can tighten it down but its in some kind of rod that slides out. Trying to put and end to these oil leaks. This is located where the yellow dot is on the second picture. The motor is a 351m<br/>

 

Maybe the car version of this motor has a passenger side dipstick and that closes it off when it's used as a truck motor? Other than that I have no friggin idea

 

That is where the dipstick goes if you do not have a 4x4 engine, there is a press in plug that was there if the dipstick goes in the side of a rear sump pan, someone just stuck that bolt in there and likely gooped it but it does not belong

 

Okay thanks for the reply. So i should be able to remove it and the rod and tap it with another bolt or find that press in plug?

 

you'd be ok redoing the sealant with another bolt/that bolt, or finding the right press in plug, either way would be ok

 

Well ive really enjoyed the last few months of driving ole blue and have put close to 3k miles on hew with no issue. Like all good things that came to an end today. I was about to head fishing early this morning when she started bellowing more smoke than a steam boat. The smoke has a blueish tint so i believe its oil passing the ring. I knew this is what it was going to take before another fire was lit under me to finish her, just was hoping it would wait untill after deer season. So now im looking at rebuilding my first motor over the next few months. I really dont have the funds to get a 460 block like i would like so i just want to rebuild the 351m. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks

 

Double check that its really blown and not sucking in oil from the pcv or some other place. I got my 460 from a 88 f450, it had been modified for hauling a load and for running on propane, has the biggest towing cam crane makes and a msd ignition/coil upgrade. Cost 700 and came with a truck, now have hydro boost system, rear disc, zf 5spd and a few other goodies like structural steel and a hydraulic system. Shop around and remember, ugly trucks are cheap and don't sell fast no matter whats in them

 

Well i finally got back around to working on ole blue and got it figured out. I did a compression test and all cylinders tested even and in the 140s. So i pulled the intake and looked at the ports in the heads and half of them were black with oil. I figured it had to be an internal vacuum leak sucking oil from the valley. I replaced the valley pan and put her all back together. I drove her for about a 20min ride and all my smoke issues are gone. Feeling proud the next day i took her on another ride and when i got back home i popped the hood to check for lost oil. The oil was perfect no more burning oil. Then i noticed the radiator blowing a good stream of coolant. I knew it was coming i just didnt know when. The previous owner installed a fan shroud that bolted through the radiator and that rubbed a hole in the line. So now im getting a new radiator... but cant stop with just that. So im going to take advantage of this opportunity to install some inner fenders i picked up and clean up the old core support. Im also going to figure out some polly bushings for those cracked up core support bushings. I know now would be the time to do the ps conversion but just havent found the box i need. I also decided to do away with the trim. It was falling off and the factory bed i have is trimless so i decided it needed to go. But this is what she looks like as of now.

 

Well ive gotten carried away and decided might as well take advantage of the whole front of the truck being torn apart. I picked up an engine hoist and stand today. Got it ready to pull in the morning. I was very pleased the headers came off without breaking a single bolt. A month of soaking with pb blaster must have paid off. Now just time to decide how deep to get into this motor. This is all a first for me. I dont have a ton of funds to thow at it right now, but i really want to do the cam, timing chain, crank, and pistons. Father in law is getting the heads done for me free of charge. Here is where im at.

 

Well im finally getting somewhere. I just went through and replaced all bearings, new rings, new cam, new timing set, and new water and oil pumps. Hopefully the cam will bring a little life to this 400.

 

 

Finally completed the long awaited power steering conversion using a 78 f250 4x4 box. Not much to it it, hardest part was finding the box.

 

Glad to see those rims work, I'm planning on running some off a 06 dodge, but I was worried there would be some clearance issues with them sitting so deep. I'm probably going to run some spacers up front to push them out a little.

 

Got around to a little rust repair today. Old cab corner had rotted through and had dirt and everything else inside. I cut it out using the new one as a template. I also took the chance to spray the inside of the pillar with rust converter then some rattle can to top it off. New one welded up no problem. Pretty easy for my first corner replacement. I just can't believe I was thinking of bonding to cover the problem.... glad I was able to talk myself out of it. Now time for new doors.

 

I'm glad you decided to talk yourself into fixing the problem the correct way also. However I might add that once the truck if finish painted you coat these areas with a good cavity wax to help prevent the problem from ever reoccurring.