Major Issues with my 360

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 2, 2006 | 03:45 PM

greybullit

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 174

Likes: 0

From: Palo Alto, CA

Major Issues with my 360

Okay, so my 75 F250 had a 360 in it. I just recently had a compression test done one it and found out that not only do I have only 90 in most of my cyclinders but my #3 is completly dead. The guy I went to says my valves are probably gone. So I was thinking of just replacing the heads with a refurbished set and sticking with that. However, the shop guy said that if I went that route, he thinks the bottom end would blow out. Basically he recommended either a complete rebuild or a used motor or something like that. I am wondering if his recommendations are correct. Obviously $400 for the heads is way cheaper than a complete rebuild or a new/used motor. I am on a budget but I really just need some more input on my situation. Any help would be great, thanks alot. There's anywhere from 130,000 to 200,000 miles on the truck, odometer has stopped unfortunentally. Thanks

Feb 2, 2006 | 04:42 PM

bryyce62

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 1,857

Likes: 5

From: Northern CA

First 2 q's are, how much mileage do you need out of the engine? And how much $$ do you have to put into this engine? 200K miles is quite a bit to just be replacing the top end. Could probably pick up a used FE for $500 but without knowing the history of the "new" one you could be right back where you started. Remanufactured engines run 12-15 hundred bucks. Is this rig your daily driver? If you have the time look around for someone unloading a motor.
...for what it's worth.

b62

Feb 2, 2006 | 04:52 PM

Chevy_Eater

Logistics Pro

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 4,221

Likes: 17

You could just replace the burnt valve in the #3 and drive it while you save up for a rebuild or replacement.

Feb 2, 2006 | 09:09 PM

greybullit

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 174

Likes: 0

From: Palo Alto, CA

I don't need that many miles. My plan was to sell the truck pretty soon so I can get back to another project, but then the motor went south. And second, it is my daily driver, only when it's acctually running though. I am also wondering where I would be able to get a rebuilt motor that's only 1200-1500, becuase thats not totally out of the picture. I just dont want to get too deep into to it and then not get my money's worth when I sell it.

Last edited by greybullit; Feb 2, 2006 at 09:13 PM.

Feb 3, 2006 | 12:09 AM

AnOldDog

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 907

Likes: 0

From: Citrus Heights, CA

Let's be honest here. You'll never get your money out of it. Fix it, or sell what's left to someone who will. A lesson from my installation of headers. It is now a pretty durn fine truck (after I just fix a couple more things).

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=20414

A grand truck, but far more valuable to me than the money I could get out of it by selling it for street value.

Feb 3, 2006 | 02:20 AM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

Likes: 575

From: Brentwood,CA

www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com

Feb 3, 2006 | 05:58 AM

scamardo

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 510

Likes: 0

From: Charlotte

Check with some other machine shops. I had my heads rebuilt with stainless CJ 428 valves and had hardened seats installed ($500) and had the bottom end rebuilt (bored out 60 over and custom cam) for 1050. I had to remove and install though, but the product is top notch. But like Chevy eater said, you can just rebuild your heads and drive it. Pulling and installing the heads is a lot easier than pulling the whole motor and then re-installing. Plus you may get another 100k miles out of it if you are nice to it.

But like others have mentioned, you may want to re-assess your goals. If you plan to sell the truck anyway, sell it as is and save the cash for another truck. If it is in good shape and has a bad engine, you still might get 500 to 800 out of it. That is North Carolina dollars anyway, not sure what they go for in CA. Just my 2 cents.