Should I rebuild the engine?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 201
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From: Butler, PA
Should I rebuild the engine?
OK, first off, I don't know anything about anything when it comes to this stuff, I'm kinda doing all this as a learning project, so go easy on me if I ask stupid questions. So what signs should I look for to rebuild the engine or let it go? It's a 75 f-250 with a 390, (not the original engine, it came with a 360) the odometer reads 101,000, but I don't know how many miles are on the current engine. It's also leaking a small amount of oil, but it runs good. So should I rebuild or just replace gaskets? Any comments would really help. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Hey Bob, Welcome to FTE!!!
What is the oil pressure when it is hot? Does it make any knocking noises. Does it smoke? The best way to check the rings is to do a compression test. 101,000 miles is a walk in the park for a properly built FE. Oil leaks can be fixed pretty cheaply. Where is the leak coming from?
What is the oil pressure when it is hot? Does it make any knocking noises. Does it smoke? The best way to check the rings is to do a compression test. 101,000 miles is a walk in the park for a properly built FE. Oil leaks can be fixed pretty cheaply. Where is the leak coming from?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 201
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From: Butler, PA
Well, I don't have it out on the road yet, so I never run it long enough to get hot, I just run it for a couple minutes a week, so I don't know about the oil pressure. It doesn't make any knocking sounds and there is no smoke. There is a tiny amount of oil coming out of the front, but the main leak seems to be coming from the back of the engine somewhere. And I'm hoping to do a compression test before december. When I do get that done I'll post it.
P.S. I'm away at school, and my trucks back home, so it may be kinda hard for me to answer some questions. And thanks for the help.
P.S. I'm away at school, and my trucks back home, so it may be kinda hard for me to answer some questions. And thanks for the help.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
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From: Urbandale, Iowa
>> but the main leak seems to be coming from the back of the engine somewhere. <<
That would most likely be either:
A) Where the intake manifold meets the block.
Use a small mirror to inspect this area. If it is leaking, use carb cleaner on a rag to clean it up really well, then use some Permatex Blue to plug the leak. Try not to push the Permatex into the seam until it stops going in, just put on enough to stop the leak.
B) The rear main seal - a much more difficult fix - involving transmission unhooking, engine liftage, oil pan removal, and other really nasty mechanical stuff.
To tell which one it is, check the top of the bell housing (from the top, looking down close to the firewall. If you see running oil there, it's a good bet that the intake/block joint is leaking. If not.... use the search function with the keywords "rear" "main" and "seal". This should turn up loads of info on this problem.
If you decide to rebuild the engine, both of these areas will be addressed by the re-assembly.
Good luck!
That would most likely be either:
A) Where the intake manifold meets the block.
Use a small mirror to inspect this area. If it is leaking, use carb cleaner on a rag to clean it up really well, then use some Permatex Blue to plug the leak. Try not to push the Permatex into the seam until it stops going in, just put on enough to stop the leak.
B) The rear main seal - a much more difficult fix - involving transmission unhooking, engine liftage, oil pan removal, and other really nasty mechanical stuff.
To tell which one it is, check the top of the bell housing (from the top, looking down close to the firewall. If you see running oil there, it's a good bet that the intake/block joint is leaking. If not.... use the search function with the keywords "rear" "main" and "seal". This should turn up loads of info on this problem.
If you decide to rebuild the engine, both of these areas will be addressed by the re-assembly.
Good luck!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
Ummh, just for what it's worth. .. Running for a 'few minutes' when you get back home is not a good thing to do. If you start it, and shut if off before getting it hot, you'll have water in the oil.. which mixes to form a weak acid with all the other stuff... Get it HOT if you start it. Unless.. you change the oil frequently.
Just my 2 copper-clads.
tom
Just my 2 copper-clads.
tom
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