Well, tonight it finally happened. For the last 2 weeks or so, I've noticed that my clutch has been soft and prone to chattering on me. I just thought it was the fact that my truck has 162,000 miles on it with I don't know how many miles on the clutch. Well, my friend and I were on our way home from Huntley about 10 miles from Billings when all of a sudden my engine started ticking on me. I thought it was an exhaust leak at first, but as we drove on, I realized it was a lifter. I pulled into a gas station and prayed I didn't hurt the engine too bad.
When I checked the oil, I was surprised to se the dipstick bone dry! This surprised me because I just checked it 3 days ago and put a quart in, and the factory gauge was right in the middle of "Normal" the whole time I was driving tonight. Meanwhile, I noticed a 10" puddle of oil on the ground right in between the tranny and engine.
My friend looked under the truck and looked in the inspection slot and told me my flywheel was covered in oil. Well, I'm no scholar, but I do regognize a bad rear main seal when this happens. The worst part is, from the time we heard the lifters ticking until I could pull over was about 4 or 5 miles. I know this probably isn't enough time to do some serious damage to an engine, but it still hurt it, I just know my luck!. Then on top of that, I put 5 quarts of oil in, at a $1.99 a quart, but then it leaked 1 quart out on the 4 mile drive home.
So as it stands, the only thing that has me irked is the fact that my gauges read normal the whole time. I have my Pontiac so I can drive that no problem, but now I have a spring project lined up. So Matt, if you read this, I might have some business for you for a rebuilt 460 pretty soon. I need to replace the clutch and rebuild the tranny to get rid of the 3rd gear synchro clash as well, so I better go find that money garden and harvest some cash or I'm going to have an 86 F-250 lawn decoration.

 

It seems you just need a rear main seal... unless you wanna spend 1500 bucks... I don't mind.

I'd probably even help you put it in. I'm pretty sure its a two piece seal, which is pretty easy as far as rear main seals go.

anyhoo... lemme know.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna just put in a rear main seal for now, but I will have to get an engine sooner or later as it uses about 1-2 quarts a week, and until last night, it was blow-by that caused my oil loss. I'm just going to drive the Pontiac for a little while until warmer weather hits and I feel brave enough to change the rear main. I'm going to put a clutch in it at the same time so I don't have to seperate the tranny from the engine a second time. The funny thing is, I just got my income tax return back a week ago and spent it all getting parts for the Pontiac....D'OH!!

 

Hoss, sorry about that problem you've got. (otoh, 16 mpg is pretty good, right?) I have my flathead V8 in pieces - needed a front oil seal - then I got to thinking, since it's this far apart maybe I should put in new rear seal too, check the valves, rings, etc. It escalates on you................. Good luck with it.

Matt, related ? on 460's.

Can you get me a dipstick for an 89 4x4 F250 EFI? Mine is corroded bad up near the top.
NAPA guy told me they're difficult to find..........

Thanks man!
Tim

 

We don't stock them, but tomorrow I'll stop by a wrecking yard and see if they have one.

Yea... I'll see what I can do to get you a good deal on parts...

 

Well Matt, I found metal in the oil filter, so, yeah, I'm going to have to spend the $1500 before I can drive the beast again. It's going to be a little while so this is fair warning. I'm also going to be buying a Hay's, Mcleoud or Centerforce clutch kit. Do you know where I could get the flywheel turned at a good price?

 

Our Machine shop will do it for $25. We sell Hayes clutches too... Although, I don't think they are any better than our NGC brand of clutches, which are made by LuK.

If your block is still good, I think its better to rebuild yours, I'd even help you out, and you're going to get the very best.