Deep Philosophical Question About a Tired Engine
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Define "good" oil pressure. 351's have "low" oil pressure from the get-go. and mine has had the oil needle on the "N" on "normal" for years.
Oil pressure is stronger as it warms up, but once up to temp is up to "normal," the oil pressure needle sits on the "N"
I was told years ago, 10lbs, 40lbs it does not matter, the heads are getting lubed ........
Oil pressure is stronger as it warms up, but once up to temp is up to "normal," the oil pressure needle sits on the "N"
I was told years ago, 10lbs, 40lbs it does not matter, the heads are getting lubed ........
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,109
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From: Southern California
The SBF's are excellent engines that if properly maintained will just keep running no matter what...........our mustang that has been in the family since new (1965), had 210k miles on it untouched when I bought it from my parents back in 86......when we fired it up, she ran a smooth as what I can remember.....
SBF Internal engine failure, never known for that unless it's been abused or performance wise push beyond it's limits........as an fyi- the SBF's for most of the common performance builds, never needed 4 bolt mains as compared to the chevy's because their design was very strong!!!!!!!!!!
The iron heads will take a bit of abuse as well......very rare to hear of a head gasket failure unless there were some real significant issues or real-dumb type abuse!
SBF Internal engine failure, never known for that unless it's been abused or performance wise push beyond it's limits........as an fyi- the SBF's for most of the common performance builds, never needed 4 bolt mains as compared to the chevy's because their design was very strong!!!!!!!!!!
The iron heads will take a bit of abuse as well......very rare to hear of a head gasket failure unless there were some real significant issues or real-dumb type abuse!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2013
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I agree that an old motor should start knocking, progressively louder over time, before going to pieces... but a more likely failure scenario for an old motor might be a flat cam or bad valves, which would degrade performance over time but probably not leave you stranded.
If you were miles away with a knock and low oil pressure you could try thicker oil, or some kind of additive, to limp it on home.
In many ways I prefer the old school Fred Flintstone pre fuel injection, pre computer carb and distributor set up because there are many ways to jumper wire and jury rig things to bring it on home, whereas I'd be hard pressed to figure out and fix a modern fuel injected computerized engine management system out in the wilds.
So what could fail suddenly leaving you stuck? Fuel pump, timing chain, u-joints. What else can you think of?
I've read the OP's old post on an external electric fuel pump set up and I've been meaning to add an external electric fuel pump that I could instal in an emergency to my on board spare parts inventory. Otherwise my double roller timing chain and gears are only two years old and my u-joints have grease zerks and I keep them lubed.
Otherwise, like you say, I could play it safe and leave it parked... but what's the fun of that? Big dog was made to run and life is too short to stay on the porch.
If you were miles away with a knock and low oil pressure you could try thicker oil, or some kind of additive, to limp it on home.
In many ways I prefer the old school Fred Flintstone pre fuel injection, pre computer carb and distributor set up because there are many ways to jumper wire and jury rig things to bring it on home, whereas I'd be hard pressed to figure out and fix a modern fuel injected computerized engine management system out in the wilds.
So what could fail suddenly leaving you stuck? Fuel pump, timing chain, u-joints. What else can you think of?
I've read the OP's old post on an external electric fuel pump set up and I've been meaning to add an external electric fuel pump that I could instal in an emergency to my on board spare parts inventory. Otherwise my double roller timing chain and gears are only two years old and my u-joints have grease zerks and I keep them lubed.
Otherwise, like you say, I could play it safe and leave it parked... but what's the fun of that? Big dog was made to run and life is too short to stay on the porch.
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