Hey guys,

Obviously a new guy to the forum. I know were all used to those new introductions so ill just get to it.

Im rebuilding a 2V that has never been rebuilt before. This is my first modular engine overhaul so there was a lot that I didnt know about, such has all of the "markings" and numbering that is on the various pieces from the factory. Having the FSM has made everything much easier. With the mileage and sludge it wasnt until I got everything back from the machine shop that I was able to see that everything was numbered. Me being an old school guy had marked everything as I disassembled the rotating assembly. Believe it or not when I got it back from the machine shop I was able to go back together with all of the original stuff. So I knew that everything needed to go back in the same locations. Assuming that the factory put the engine together correctly and knowing that the machine shop had pulled the pistons off the rods to verify clearances I started going back together based on what the FSM says. The main caps are numbered and have arrows, the pistons and rods are marked so they are all facing forward, and there are numbers on the bottom of the pistons which I assumed followed the "cylinder order". Once I had all of the pistons in I noticed that a few fit perfectly, some seemed "tight", and some were so loose in the cylinder that I could see the first compression ring. The machine shop I took it to are very reputable and assumed that they were loose but in spec and mistakenly put the few pistons that I found backwards on the rod assuming I would check them before I assembled. So I flipped the block over to torque everything and noticed my marks from when I tore it apart. Based on my marks the pistons are in the wrong cylinders and the rods that I thought the machine shop accidentally flipped were in fact flipped at the factory. So my question is do the numbers on the bottom of the piston correspond to the "cylinder order" or are the numbered like the main caps. 1 being closest to the front and 8 being at the back? And should I flip those rods back to the way I pulled them out or keep them the way the FSM says? Thanks in advance for yalls help guys!!

 

Almost all Fords are numbered down one side then down the other side, not front to back as you have said.

 

That’s what I’m saying . I used that order to install everything and that’s when I noticed they aren’t in the order I took them out in. If the cylinders had been bored and I was installing new rods and pistons I wouldn’t be too worried about it. However, I am reusing the original rods and pistons and a couple fit really loose, and a couple fit really tight. I really think I should, at a bare minimum, put the pistons back to their original position and leave the rods facing the direction the FSM says to face them.

If anyone out there knows exactly what the numbers on the bottom of the pistons corespond with please share!!

Thanks guys!!

 

If everything is going back in that came out. And the engine didn't have any major issues and gave you a decent amount of miles (100-200+). Then put it back together the way it came out. At this point everything has worn into a grove with each other and putting them back where they were is your best bet. And since the engine didn't have major issues before, i'd say there was nothing wrong with how it was previously assembled. My vote: keep it the way it was from factory, but make sure you are reading your marks right and not mistaking your own work.