460 much cleaner inside than out...
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 320
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460 much cleaner inside than out...
When I first bought my truck a couple of weeks ago, the entire engine was covered in a near-black oil/dirt gumbo and it was leaking embarassingly and profusely (forming a small puddle at each stop). We degreased it several times until it was clean enough so we could replace the valve cover gaskets.
What a surprise awaited us! Once the covers came off we were greated by a completely clean valvetrain and cylinder head. No sludge whatsoever! This truck has 98,000 miles on it, is 22 years old and this is the original engine. Suffice it to say, but I am very happy about this. In fact, the radiator, transmission, transfer case and rear-end (Trak-Lok) are in similar shape. How great it is to buy a vehicle that has been as well-maintained as I would have done all along!
Now, the whole underhood area is transformed... it is like a blast from the past - all the original decals are there and in good shape (apparently well protected by the oil/dirt gumbo) and even many of the hoses say "Motorcraft" on them. It's like looking in a 1983 brochure at a picture of the engine.
Incidently, we used the Felpro High Performance steel/rubber/cork valve cover gaskets (got them from PAW for $36.95, part #1643) and now the only leak is a minor one from the oil pressure sending unit, and that will be replaced early next week.
Interestingly, the owner always used the much-maligned Fram oil filters and Pennzoil. It just goes to show you that the most important thing is to change your oil and filter regularly, even if you don't put a lot of miles on your truck.
Compared to my first project truck, a '76 Chevy C20, this F250 is a delight in many ways. The only original drivetrain parts on the C20 when I got it were the driveshaft and rear axle. Few original decals, less knowledge of its history, lots of weird wiring and other "rigged" crap on it. Its saving grace was a perfectly straight, rust-free body and bed, and a 14-bolt FF rear-end.
With the F250 I have all the original manuals and literature that came in the glove compartment and a knowledge of its entire history, and that's fun.
Sorry for rambling on, but I'm having fun bringing this truck back to its original condition and look, and I just want to share this.
What a surprise awaited us! Once the covers came off we were greated by a completely clean valvetrain and cylinder head. No sludge whatsoever! This truck has 98,000 miles on it, is 22 years old and this is the original engine. Suffice it to say, but I am very happy about this. In fact, the radiator, transmission, transfer case and rear-end (Trak-Lok) are in similar shape. How great it is to buy a vehicle that has been as well-maintained as I would have done all along!
Now, the whole underhood area is transformed... it is like a blast from the past - all the original decals are there and in good shape (apparently well protected by the oil/dirt gumbo) and even many of the hoses say "Motorcraft" on them. It's like looking in a 1983 brochure at a picture of the engine.
Incidently, we used the Felpro High Performance steel/rubber/cork valve cover gaskets (got them from PAW for $36.95, part #1643) and now the only leak is a minor one from the oil pressure sending unit, and that will be replaced early next week.
Interestingly, the owner always used the much-maligned Fram oil filters and Pennzoil. It just goes to show you that the most important thing is to change your oil and filter regularly, even if you don't put a lot of miles on your truck.
Compared to my first project truck, a '76 Chevy C20, this F250 is a delight in many ways. The only original drivetrain parts on the C20 when I got it were the driveshaft and rear axle. Few original decals, less knowledge of its history, lots of weird wiring and other "rigged" crap on it. Its saving grace was a perfectly straight, rust-free body and bed, and a 14-bolt FF rear-end.
With the F250 I have all the original manuals and literature that came in the glove compartment and a knowledge of its entire history, and that's fun.
Sorry for rambling on, but I'm having fun bringing this truck back to its original condition and look, and I just want to share this.
