Engine rebuild (novice question)

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Sep 29, 2003 | 02:13 PM

302V8Ford79

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Engine rebuild (novice question)

I had a shade tree mechanic rebuild the engine in my 79 F-100, and I'm thinking that I may have made a mistake with this guy. He didn't bore out the cylinders, and he didn't replace the lifters. I told him what I really wanted was to improve the gas mileage from 10 miles per gallon. He said he could get it to 18 miles per gallon. Two months later, it really doesn't seem like he did anything performance wise, and gas mileage hasn't improved a bit.
He did hone the cylinders, but is not replacing the lifters a big mistake? He said they looked okay, but he replaced my old cam with another used RV cam. I'm thinking that he could tell that I don't know much and really stuck to me. This cost $1300.

Sep 29, 2003 | 02:19 PM

Texan1983

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From: Des Moines, Iowa

sorry to say this but you could have had all that replaced with new parts and profesionaly built for that much money.

Sep 29, 2003 | 06:24 PM

Torque1st

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Moved to engine rebuilding.

Sep 29, 2003 | 09:31 PM

jwtaylor

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Around here you can get a complete longblock rebuilt with your choice of cam as well as hypereutectic pistons not to mention everthing else replaced. I don't know the situation maybe the person had the best intent if you knew him, if you didn't know him then he got ya. Everything on the engine should have been replaced, it usually comes in the kit. Weather or not it should of been bored it all depends but he should have at lest bored it something to make sure the cylingers are true, besides what is the odds a motor that old is gonna be in that good a shape? 18mpg through a 3 speed and I assume a v8, thats a stretch, impossible? no a stretch, yeah. I was gonna give you some ideas on what to do but quite frankly this fellow screwed you over and will probably come up with every excuse in the book. It may be worth a shot to talk to the person, but I doubt it. I can relate with dealing with a shady machinist, its a real let down. I went with someone local instead of someone whom I knew could get the job done right. Live and learn. Maybe it will work out, good luck

Oct 1, 2003 | 05:52 AM

tomw

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From: suburban atlanta

EVERYTHING I have read says the camshaft lobes and lifters get 'married' forever after being in use. If you have a 'used' cam and 'used' lifters then you can count on the lifters(&cam) becoming worn rather quickly. Boring is not necessary, depending on cylinder taper & wear. You should have noticed a smoother running & more powerful engine if you have new rings, and the cylinder heads were renewed. If not, something may be wrong. Does it burn oil? smoke? knock? ping? rattle? Does it run smoothe?
Either way, your 'friend' didn't earn the money you gave him.
just my opinion.
tom

Oct 3, 2003 | 09:46 PM

FEmtnmax

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From: Montana

Sounds like he gave your engine a budget rebuild I.E. rings, rod bearings (hopefully), and valve job. Installing a used cam with (your old lifters?) would be a bad mistake. If that is true I would not be surprised to wear the lobes off that old cam in a few thousand miles. He should have told you that the cheapy rebuild would make it run better, maybe burn less oil, but no way is 10 mpg going to be 18 mpg. My '67 with 390 gets 9-11 mpg empty or loaded down. Thats life. Your not the first person to pay a lot of money and not get much.
A guy I know paid almost $2000 for a rebuild on a 4 cyl Toyota. They sent the timing way too advanced. He drove it that way anyhow, and the engine knock broke the piston ring lands out in less than 5,000 miles.