I am getting a 351 Windsor out of an '89 F250 from a guy, just so I can take it apart. The guy said that it needs to be rebuilt and does not have a wiring harness, but I don't care, I just want to take it apart to see how everything works. Have any of you guys ever got something just to take apart? I guess I could actually rebuild it, but right now I just want to see how it works.

Longneck

 

Go for it! Thats how i did my first rebuild and i learned a lot from it too.

 

Me too. That's the best way to learn. Have fun.

 

should be a good time. I did that to a 351w i found layin around the placee to build a 400 horse fuelie for the '84 come to find out it's from a '69 galaxie, only the 105th one off the line!!

 

Been doing that sort of thing since I was a child (not engines back then, but other things). It's the best way to learn. My mother always said me and my brother drove her crazy when we got a toy, because we'd play with it a short while and then tear it apart to see how it worked! Anyway, enjoy yourself! BTW, I wish someone would give me a couple of engines for free!

 

I am pretty excited about getting the engine. I think I heard my truck breath a sigh of relief, because it knows I wont be takining it apart just to take it apart, at least for a little while. I can't wait to pick it up, I am acutally looking at a Haynes and a Chilton manual right now. I guess this is a good excuse to get an engine stand, some more tools, and some use out of the digital camera.

Longneck

 

Do it man!! My nephew is coming into town and I got a 302 out of my bronco I am going to let him rip apart. Hand's on brother, the best way to learn!! Just a little stupid piece of advice, get yourself an old tackle box, fairly nice size with drawer's and store everything that comes off the motor into the tackle box and label the drawer's and compartment's with the name and location of the nut's and bolt's and part's. It will keep everything together and you won't suffer the, Where the hell does that bolt go syndrome!!! Good Luck.

Al

 

I started on lawnmowers when I was 9 years old. I tore apart and fixed probably 15 or 20 before I got bored with them. LOL

"Go for it!"
I second that.

 

I am getting more excited just by reading the responses from you guys! Thanks for the tip ALSAIR.

Anyone else have any tips for a 1st timer?

Thanks,

Longneck

 

Good tools, and when you force something, better know what your hand will be hitting.

 

Spent yesterday clearing out a spot for it in the garage, and this morning I picked it up! It has a June 1990 5.8 L Windsor sticker on it and is just begging me to start wrenching on it. Did I mention my wife is out of town? Can't wait to see her face when she sees it , oh well she said I needed a hobby. I hope to get it on a stand in the next couple of days, and let the fun begin.

Longneck

 

I got started by taking a VW engine apart when I was 15.

Some advice;

When you remove an assembly such as the intake manifold, put all the bolts into a separate baggie. Exhaust bolts in a baggie, water pump bolts in a baggie, fan bolts in a baggie, etc. For extra credit, write on the baggie to identify what bolts came from where. I find that just having a complete set of bolts together helps me identify where they came from. There will be cases where you'll be taking off a single bolt to remove something (like the dipstick tube) and then it's important to id that bolt. Wrong bolts in wrong places cause no end of grief, so keep careful track of each and every one so that it goes back to the right place.

Try to take assemblies off as a unit. Intake manifold with the carb and all other bits attached, air pump with brackets, alternator with brackets, and so-on.

It's a good idea to take some pictures.

Most parts should come off with a minimum of violence. If it's stuck, examine it carefully to figure out why. I've seen pictures of cylinder heads where someone forgot to take a row of bolts off and broke one side off the head!

Before you start, clean the engine with oven cleaner to keep the grease to a minimum. Get oven cleaner at the dollar store. Get the better brand, the off-brand stuff is really weak. I'm finding Bissell brand at the local 'Big Lots' and similar stores. I buy 20 cans at a time and I use them up. Spray it on, maybe brush it to loosen built-up stuff, let it sit, then hose it off.

Shop for tools at Harbor Freight.

For your first engine, don't get fancy, just try to fix whatever is broken for as cheap as you can. Learning how to get good parts for cheap is an important lesson. If you get too ambitious, trying to hot rod the engine, you may get in over your head. Check Ebay for good prices on gaskets, pistons, oil pumps. Northern Auto Parts, too.

Have fun!

 

Pcmenten,
Thanks for the tips, I am thinking that if I use your tips about the baggies and Alsairs tip about using a toolbox, I might acutally be able to keep things somewhat organinzed

Thanks,

Longneck

 

longneck,
Have at it and have fun.
I guess if you have a manual I don't need to say this but the first thing that came to my mind was make sure you use a ridge reamer on the top of the cylinder walls before you attempt to take the pistons out. Even if you just tear it apart for fun the pistons won't come out without damage if you don't ream that ridge.
Auto parts store loan tools. Last time i was in autozone i was amazed at the list.

What do you guys use for a cheap parts washer? big rubber maid containers?

 

Shaggymane,
Thanks for the tip. I was also wondering apart a portable parts washer, I thought about a big plastic tub, but wasn't sure if I needed something metal.

Everyone else feel free to throw out any tips you have for me.

Thanks,

Longneck