Would anyone be able to tell me what would be better in the situation of either rebuilding an engine or replacing it. I currently have an 85 F 250 HD. It has a 460 that has about 112,000 miles on it. It is a project truck that I have been working on the past year.

The engine consumes about a quart of oil every 130 miles or so. I figured that the valve guides or seals are leaking. No external signs of oil on the frame or engine. This truck otherwise is very solid (no pings, smoke or rattles and idles very smoothly) Hence tearing into this one or start building another.

I would like to either swap with a 460 that is fuel injected (maybe from a later year 85 as in 85 they split from carbs) or rebuild the one that I have. Mine has a carb.

My opposition to the one that I have is that I have a bunch of smog equipment on the engine. Two carbon canisters and a recycling of air thru the exhaust manifolds which would prevent headers (to my knowledge). Also two air pumps etc.

My main goal is to have a powerful truck that I can haul heavy loads with such as wood and have some fun in the back country.
Any information on which would be the better road to go would be apprciated.
Thank you,
85F250mike

 

I would think that you could just have your cylinder heads rebuilt see where that takes you. You can take the air pumps off and run L&L headers if you don't have emissions testing. The carbon canisters aren't hurting anyhting.

 

85F250mike

My opinion only, that much oil consumption would indicate bad piston rings.

The 400 I swapped out for the 460 in my 82 was the same way, it used a quart per 100 miles and ran perfect. It did not leak oil, and only had a little smoke at cold start. I did the head thing, convinced that it was the problem, went with all new guides, stem seals and valve job, all it did was finish the motor off quicker.

I had some broken oil rings.

 

If your piston rings are stuck, pull the spark plugs and put a capful of brake fluid in each cylinder and let it sit for a few days.

 

But of course if they are broken this won't help.

Mine came off the pistons in chunks.

 

Yeah, just something to try.

 

85F250mike

You would also have a little more freedom for modifications on a carbureted engine.