Fe woes
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Fe woes
I have had a '63 Galaxie 500 352 2v for about 8 months and have been having a lot of engine woes... I am not very experienced with FE series engines. I have a '52 239 flathead that runs smooth as silk, with no problems.. but I just can't seem to get this FE straightened out. Before I take any drastic measures, I thought I should find out if anyone has similar symptoms and if they just a unique part of owning an FE.
It has new pushrods, lifters, intake & exhaust gaskets, exhaust, exhaust manifolds, valve cover gaskets, electronic dizzy convertion, new plugs & wires, fresh oil & filter, rebuilt carb, etc.
It has a lot of rocker noise, I have replaced all pushrods and hyd. lifters but no luck.
The passenger side exhaust manifold gaskets seem to leak constantly, and the donut gasket will leak occasionally. However, the driver side has not had a single problem.
There is a lot of pinging coming from the exhaust down tubes from the manifolds to the middle of the car (it has new 2" duals) it sounds kinda like rocker noise.. but in the exhaust pipes?
The passenger side exhaust also has what sounds like an exhaust leak... but it isn't a leak, what could it be?
The engine sounds like it is dieseling, very very mildly, but no matter what I do with the ignition or carb.. it doesn't go away.
I feel almost embarrased to be driving it with all these terrible sounds coming from the engine. I can deal with most of these annoyances, but the exhaust problems bugs me the most.
Like I said, my flathead runs like a dream.. if it wasn't for the fan, you wouldn't even know it is running... I've even been able to balance nickles on the intake while running. But this dang 352 has me stumped.
Any help would be appreciated!
It has new pushrods, lifters, intake & exhaust gaskets, exhaust, exhaust manifolds, valve cover gaskets, electronic dizzy convertion, new plugs & wires, fresh oil & filter, rebuilt carb, etc.
It has a lot of rocker noise, I have replaced all pushrods and hyd. lifters but no luck.
The passenger side exhaust manifold gaskets seem to leak constantly, and the donut gasket will leak occasionally. However, the driver side has not had a single problem.
There is a lot of pinging coming from the exhaust down tubes from the manifolds to the middle of the car (it has new 2" duals) it sounds kinda like rocker noise.. but in the exhaust pipes?
The passenger side exhaust also has what sounds like an exhaust leak... but it isn't a leak, what could it be?
The engine sounds like it is dieseling, very very mildly, but no matter what I do with the ignition or carb.. it doesn't go away.
I feel almost embarrased to be driving it with all these terrible sounds coming from the engine. I can deal with most of these annoyances, but the exhaust problems bugs me the most.
Like I said, my flathead runs like a dream.. if it wasn't for the fan, you wouldn't even know it is running... I've even been able to balance nickles on the intake while running. But this dang 352 has me stumped.
Any help would be appreciated!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Some questions to start things off:
How do your plugs read?
Are you using the stock non-adjustable valvetrain? If so, did you check lifter preload?
Is the rest of the engine stock, good condition?
Did you run a compression check?
What initial timing are you running? Meaning, when checked at idle with the vacuum advance hose pulled and plugged, what is your timing set at?
When you replaced lifters, did you follow the breakin proceedure? When new lifters are put on a used cam, you need to break 'em in to the cam just like you would with a new cam. 1500 - 3000 rpm for 1/2 hour, slowly varying. Also, did you use plenty of moly lube on the lifters when you installed 'em?
That said, leaky exhaust gaskets are common, and easily fixed. Victor Nitroseal exhaust gaskets seal very well on these engines, and are available at Napa.
How do your plugs read?
Are you using the stock non-adjustable valvetrain? If so, did you check lifter preload?
Is the rest of the engine stock, good condition?
Did you run a compression check?
What initial timing are you running? Meaning, when checked at idle with the vacuum advance hose pulled and plugged, what is your timing set at?
When you replaced lifters, did you follow the breakin proceedure? When new lifters are put on a used cam, you need to break 'em in to the cam just like you would with a new cam. 1500 - 3000 rpm for 1/2 hour, slowly varying. Also, did you use plenty of moly lube on the lifters when you installed 'em?
That said, leaky exhaust gaskets are common, and easily fixed. Victor Nitroseal exhaust gaskets seal very well on these engines, and are available at Napa.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Apr 2005
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Plugs show slight carbon but not too bad.
Stock non-adjustable valvetrain and did check pre-load.
Engine is stock other than dizzy upgrade and '71 valve covers.
Compression varries 140 to 150 all around.
Initial timing is 6 degrees, have tried 6, 8, 10.
Plenty of lube used for break-in and correct break-in proceedure followed.
The best way I can explain the exhaust pipe pinging is like long tube header noise, but I've never heard of a stock manifold allowing the exhaust pipes to make that sound.
Stock non-adjustable valvetrain and did check pre-load.
Engine is stock other than dizzy upgrade and '71 valve covers.
Compression varries 140 to 150 all around.
Initial timing is 6 degrees, have tried 6, 8, 10.
Plenty of lube used for break-in and correct break-in proceedure followed.
The best way I can explain the exhaust pipe pinging is like long tube header noise, but I've never heard of a stock manifold allowing the exhaust pipes to make that sound.
