351w rebuild issues - need some help
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From: Northport, AL
351w rebuild issues - need some help
So my Dad and I cracked into our 351 tonight for a variety of reasons; one of the main ones being just to check everything out real good and to find out why we have so much crank shaft "play".
Watch this:
It's had this much movement ever since we bought the engine. Apparently, it was a rebuild. We gave $1500 back in 1991 and I drove the crap out of it from age 16 to about 21. So it's been a good 'un but always had that much play.
When we removed the oil pan, I found this mangled seal in the first picture. It appears to go at the very front, by the timing chain. Can anyone confirm this? A front main seal? the picture. Interestingly, no major leaks from the front of the engine. Would this be the cause of so much front/rear movement of my crankshaft?
In the second pic, there's this washer looking disc at the base of one of the valve springs. No others look like this. What is it and I presume it shouldn't be like that?
Thank you so much for any replies!
William
Attachment 126817
Attachment 126818
Watch this:
It's had this much movement ever since we bought the engine. Apparently, it was a rebuild. We gave $1500 back in 1991 and I drove the crap out of it from age 16 to about 21. So it's been a good 'un but always had that much play.
When we removed the oil pan, I found this mangled seal in the first picture. It appears to go at the very front, by the timing chain. Can anyone confirm this? A front main seal? the picture. Interestingly, no major leaks from the front of the engine. Would this be the cause of so much front/rear movement of my crankshaft?
In the second pic, there's this washer looking disc at the base of one of the valve springs. No others look like this. What is it and I presume it shouldn't be like that?
Thank you so much for any replies!
William
Attachment 126817
Attachment 126818
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: NY and VA
Crankshaft end play is controlled by a main thrust bearing (forget which one). So that bearing is really shot or crankshaft worn. Seal has no effect on end play. That washer could be a VSI or valve spring insert to shim the spring after valves have been ground. Surprised only one has it.
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From: Northport, AL
GLR, I really appreciate your reply. I can see that Washer being a shim, so I can live with that. I couldn't imagine it being any kind of seal, or why there would be one like that anyway. That helps a lot. It is indeed my only one. 
I'll have to research the thrust bearing. Unfortunately, there's so much info out there that's garbage, I think I'll hit my local shop.
Upon sleeping on this, we've decided to install new crank bearings and new timing gear and chain. If anyone has a suggestion on a cam shaft upgrade without having to change lifters, Rods and springs, I'd be most appreciative.
I'll have to research the thrust bearing. Unfortunately, there's so much info out there that's garbage, I think I'll hit my local shop.
Upon sleeping on this, we've decided to install new crank bearings and new timing gear and chain. If anyone has a suggestion on a cam shaft upgrade without having to change lifters, Rods and springs, I'd be most appreciative.
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Sealed Power Direct Replacement Series Main Bearings 5078M20 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
The thrust bearing is on the left.
Only inspection will tell for sure if the crank is shot. That is a lot of end play.
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From: Spencer Mountain, NC
If you change the cam you MUST change the lifters. Lifters develop a wear pattern to the cam lobes they run against so changing the cam necessitates a change of lifters. Choice of cam MAY require new pushrods. Ask the cam manufacturer. I installed a "RV" cam in my 351W and was able to use the existing pushrods. Think you will be in for a surprise when you pull the crank to change main bearings. Be prepared to either have machine work done on the crank or replace the crank.
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From: Northport, AL
Piston Honda, it's metal. I checked around for any rubber or anything else in the pan, and there's nothing.
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FTE Legend
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From: NY and VA
That might be part of the thrust bearing. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but, I think you might as well figure on a complete cleaning and rebuilding of the engine.
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From: Northport, AL
Nah, not bad news at all. When the truck was assembled, it ran, but was just really weak for a 351. Wouldn't even break traction to spin a tire. So, we knew we'd need to do some work to it. Everything seems to be there and in decent shape. It was a rebuild back in the early 90's, but I probably don't have 30,000 miles on it.
It kind of busts my idea of a very low dollar project, but at least we'll be new and clean and working properly.
It kind of busts my idea of a very low dollar project, but at least we'll be new and clean and working properly.
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From: Northport, AL
Yeah, I looked online and on YouTube and see that a thrust bearing is a half circle. It's probably still the source of my "crank walk", but I'm still not sure what that metal ring is. It looks like it fits at the front of the crank by the timing chain and the "play" simply pushed it out of place. You'd think I'd have oil everywhere at the front of the engine which I do not.
Oh well - I'll post a video on my build thread of how we fix it.
Thanks for the replies!
Oh well - I'll post a video on my build thread of how we fix it.
Thanks for the replies!
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