The FE446 is toast :-(
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Greg, I know that this is all disheartening, but to be honest all I see is minor carnage. Not like the valves kissed the pistons and punched through a wall. All of this is easily fixed. It becomes a question of WHY and of course the actual labor. Seriously, take a break and get fubared. Its happened to me on more than one occasion and I've found that taking a step back helps keep sanity together. It will all work out brother~
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
thanks PRO, I think I'm about to work on the Fubar part :-)
The big deal for me is the cam and roller lifters. If they are whaked then I'm gonna be really dissapointed.
I've also got to get new ball/studs for the Erson rockers. Some of them are obviously boogered.
The big deal for me is the cam and roller lifters. If they are whaked then I'm gonna be really dissapointed.
I've also got to get new ball/studs for the Erson rockers. Some of them are obviously boogered.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Ouch, I just found this thread, and I think I'm gonna be sick. 
Seriously, I'd have words with the guy that adjusted the rockers. That just plain should not happen.
I know on the stock non-adjustable rockers at least, there's a hole that goes out to the pushrod end to oil it. Is that there on your adjustables, and if so is it lined up correctly with the adjuster screw?
I dont have adjustables yet, just throwing ideas out there.
Seriously, I'd have words with the guy that adjusted the rockers. That just plain should not happen.
I know on the stock non-adjustable rockers at least, there's a hole that goes out to the pushrod end to oil it. Is that there on your adjustables, and if so is it lined up correctly with the adjuster screw?
I dont have adjustables yet, just throwing ideas out there.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
Damn, I'm sorry to hear about that Greg. But, like everybody is saying, this all seems pretty minor; not enough to scrap the project over. After all the effort that's gone into it, it's relatively little to bring this motor back. But, if you're just sick of it, I'll be glad to swing by your place in the morning and tow it home with me to take away the painful reminder 
If it makes you feel better, what sidelined our F100 for the last few years was a similar problem. We built up what we though was a really nice 360 and put a lot of money and effort into it, only to have it eat itself in 8-10k miles. The entire valvetrain was chewed up, just like yours. The opinion was that it was valve spring pressure ate the cam, lifters, and rockers. I still have to get some pictures of that cam and the lifters to post.
If it makes you feel better, what sidelined our F100 for the last few years was a similar problem. We built up what we though was a really nice 360 and put a lot of money and effort into it, only to have it eat itself in 8-10k miles. The entire valvetrain was chewed up, just like yours. The opinion was that it was valve spring pressure ate the cam, lifters, and rockers. I still have to get some pictures of that cam and the lifters to post.
Last edited by bigric; Mar 24, 2004 at 10:44 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 2
From: Boise, Idaho
Those pushrods look like they were trying real hard. Because they all are damaged, I'm thinking there there was a problem that was common to all of them. Piston to valve clearance too small, rocker to valve interference, lifter pump-up causing valve to piston contact, or maybe the rocker shaft got loose and the pushrods were whacking away at the undersides of the rockers.
Dude, you must be so bummed to pour so much work and money into that beast and have it self-destruct. I feel for ya.
Dude, you must be so bummed to pour so much work and money into that beast and have it self-destruct. I feel for ya.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
The drivers side looks good. no damage to the pushrods on that side.
the roller lifters look good on the passenger side, so I'm thinking the cam is good as well.
So, I've got at least one scratched cylinder and and some damaged pushrods.
What if I just put the new pushrods in, tweak and tune it and drive it? I guess I should at least do a compression check on number one, no?
the roller lifters look good on the passenger side, so I'm thinking the cam is good as well.
So, I've got at least one scratched cylinder and and some damaged pushrods.
What if I just put the new pushrods in, tweak and tune it and drive it? I guess I should at least do a compression check on number one, no?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Hoquiam, WA
Greg, sorry to see that happen to you.
If it was me, I'd yank it out, try to hone the scratched cyl, possibly a new piston in that one, throw in a set of new bearings and rings. It's cheap insurance, considering what you've got into it so far.
If it was me, I'd yank it out, try to hone the scratched cyl, possibly a new piston in that one, throw in a set of new bearings and rings. It's cheap insurance, considering what you've got into it so far.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Originally Posted by ACESN8S
Greg, sorry to see that happen to you.
If it was me, I'd yank it out, try to hone the scratched cyl, possibly a new piston in that one, throw in a set of new bearings and rings. It's cheap insurance, considering what you've got into it so far.
If it was me, I'd yank it out, try to hone the scratched cyl, possibly a new piston in that one, throw in a set of new bearings and rings. It's cheap insurance, considering what you've got into it so far.
What's with this new foruym tmplate?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
Latest theory the FE446 demise:
When that other shop (not being me) instlled my new valve springs, retainers etc., they also installed "lash caps". One of the the valves on the passenger side (the damaged side), does not have the lash cap in place. I think this cap came off, got mutilated, went in to the pump and killed the pump. Then, with no oiling to the rockers things got tight and the pushrods took it hard.
Althought, there was little sign of damage to the pump, no major scratches and it still spun freely.
You guys have any theories, aside from "Greg's sure got bad luck" :-)
When that other shop (not being me) instlled my new valve springs, retainers etc., they also installed "lash caps". One of the the valves on the passenger side (the damaged side), does not have the lash cap in place. I think this cap came off, got mutilated, went in to the pump and killed the pump. Then, with no oiling to the rockers things got tight and the pushrods took it hard.
Althought, there was little sign of damage to the pump, no major scratches and it still spun freely.
You guys have any theories, aside from "Greg's sure got bad luck" :-)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
I think that the cap, even if mutilated, would have had a challenging time getting pulled through the pump screen to damage the pump. If your theory were correct, wouldn't both sides of the engine show the same damage instead of just one side?
Something about that side of the engine clearly isn't right, and I'm puzzled as to why only it received the damage. Even if the rockers didn't have oil, they don't require much and it doesn't explain why the pushrods are broken like that. It's almost like the valves were sticking on that side of the motor (overheating?) and the pushrods got the damage.
Man, you've sure got bad luck
Something about that side of the engine clearly isn't right, and I'm puzzled as to why only it received the damage. Even if the rockers didn't have oil, they don't require much and it doesn't explain why the pushrods are broken like that. It's almost like the valves were sticking on that side of the motor (overheating?) and the pushrods got the damage.
Man, you've sure got bad luck
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 395
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From: South Carolina
Dang it, Greg! Man, you've gotta fix this. Don't let it get the best of you. I know it's disheartening and it sure is painful for all of us to look at, but hey, we're all counting on you to get this thing right!. Please don't this be the demise of the mighty 446FE!! I, like many others, am on this forum every day, many times a day, sometimes getting no work done at all (like right now), and a lot of times I just want to see what guys like you and Scouder are up to, and what the latest news on your buildups are, etc. It can't come to an end... it just can't!! So take a break, step back a little, get mad and tear some things up just to vent, and when the dust settles, pull that motor out, rub on it a little and make it right. I was looking forward to new dragstrip times with that new locker in place, but now I look forward to new video and audio clips of the Beast singing a new song! So good luck! Hang in there man, it'll all work out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,117
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From: Evanston, WY
Originally Posted by gtex
You guys have any theories, aside from "Greg's sure got bad luck" :-)
Be sure to check the oil gallery to the passenger side head. It concerns me that something may have gotten sucked into that gallery, perhaps a piece of pump shaft, obstructing flow to that side of the engine. Maybe just do a "prelube" spinup of the pump to see if youve got oil on that side.
Also, enough with the "bad luck" crap from everybody. I am a firm believer that you can make bad things happen just by assuming they will. Let's turn that around. From this point on things go right. Besides, I don't want to see an FE Brother on the news, sitting in a tower with a rifle!
-Scouder