Hi everyone,

I have a 1954 F100 in Las Vegas area that is in need of engine help. I have restored the rest of the truck over the past 5-6 years, but current 223 engine (not the original, w/ 3 speed manual trans) has thrown rod (cylinder 6). I believe the block is still ok, very slight damage to bottom cylinder wall, but the crank where the piston attaches is worn badly and of course it needs at the least a new rod at the least. Looking for advice on what to do. I would prefer to replace the damaged, broken parts, or rebuild the current engine with new rods, pistons, rings, crank, etc across the board, I don't know where to begin looking for internal engine parts for that engine (I havent had much luck in web searches so far). Maybe I would be better just swapping the engine? If so what other engines would be the best to put in with minimal modification to the truck?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Scott

 

I had a similar engine rebuilt a few years back, and the machine shop doing the work sourced all the parts. I'm very pleased with the decision to keep my truck original. Good luck and welcome!

Jim

 

Is the engine out already and you've inspected it? Is this how you know the extent of the damage? Before buying a bunch of parts, I would recommend having the block inspected by a competent machine shop and have them do a full evaluation as to damage, current bore status, cracks, the works. Breaking a rod can make a really big mess. There could be damage or wear you're not aware of that a trained eye or professional testing will see. That will give you the information necessary to make an informed decision on which way to go next.

Either rebuilding your current 223 or finding a good replacement will be your best/easiest and cheapest option. Next on the list would be to swap to a Y-block V8, but that means changing bellhousing, radiator, exhaust, motor mounts, not to mention the cost of the engine. The plus side is that all of those parts are OEM available and will bolt in without major custom modifications. Any other engine swap will incur all of those previously mentioned changes, plus the hassle of inventing engine and transmission mounts, steering, exhaust, electrical, the list snowballs pretty quick after that. The expenses escalate further if you have to pay someone else to do them.

 

I too would start with a localish machine shop that serves the vintage/antique market. Have them evaluate the engine and source parts. Most reputable rebuilders will stand by their work with some sort of warranty.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am looking into local machine shops. I dont have the engine out, just took the oil pan off the bottom end and removed the head from the top to inspect. Slowly talking myself into buying an engine lift .

 

Rumor has it that removing the front clip is the way to go for engine removal. Pretty simple - just a number of fasteners. No going crazy with excessive issues with trying to realign the hood and whatnot upon reinstallation.

 

I took my engine (and transmission) out without removing the front clip. I'm not saying it's the preferred way to do it, or the easiest, but it's what we did. The transmission came out from the bottom after the exhaust was cut away. Getting the transmission back in and engaged properly with the engine was the hardest part of the operation. Engine hoists I think can be rented. I used a special transmission "jack" too. The transmission was HEAVY.

Jim

 

if the block is good i will sell you a 223 rod for $50 used out of my 223 that finally lost all compression last winter.

 

i wont sell you a crank as mine spun a bearing in 1988 before it was parked and i ran it like that until it quit. after i got it running in 2022

 

i also have a good oil pan and rod and main caps i would also sell you.
I hope you choose to keep it a 223 because once you change it like that it looses its charm and nostalgic feeling when driving it.

 

be careful with that head, it was when i lifted just a fe v8 iron head that i threw out my back for the first time and a 223 head will weigh much more than a fe head
That is right i blew out my back at age 14 cleaning out the ford parts from the back of my chevy c10 i have.
A engine picker is much cheaper than potential back surgery.