Rebuild or Replace?
New User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11
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Rebuild or Replace?
Hi folks - I just picked up a 1979 F-150 Custom with 128 thousand miles and a 351 in it that is not keeping oil pressure when it warms up. Sounds like some extensive work is in order, and I will be farming this out, (absolutely no time to do it myself), so should I rebuild or replace, and if replace, what would be your recommendation for an occasional use work truck?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 137
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Rebuild or Replace?
VintageRider,
I don't know where you're located but, if you find some junkyard's "off the beaten path" you can sometimes find replacement engines VERY reasonably. I bought a 390 "parts" engine for my '66 for $250.oo and I'm sure that those guys would have installed it for another hundred or so.
By the way..I'm lookin' for CZ-125 parts...got any??
I don't know where you're located but, if you find some junkyard's "off the beaten path" you can sometimes find replacement engines VERY reasonably. I bought a 390 "parts" engine for my '66 for $250.oo and I'm sure that those guys would have installed it for another hundred or so.
By the way..I'm lookin' for CZ-125 parts...got any??
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Rebuild or Replace?
>what would be your recommendation for an occasional use work truck?
>Thanks!
Drive it. If it isn't using a qt of oil more that every 3-500 miles, just keep driving it. The well used engine can still be getting enough lubrication to do the job that you need it for.
IMHO of course
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
>Thanks!
Drive it. If it isn't using a qt of oil more that every 3-500 miles, just keep driving it. The well used engine can still be getting enough lubrication to do the job that you need it for.
IMHO of course
John
jowilker
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,558
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From: Inthepast
Rebuild or Replace?
[FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="3" FACE="Veranda"]
Fresh oil regularly is the best "additive". The "junkyard" motor rarely brings satisfaction. It is a rare case that it wil prove to be any better than yours. There is nothing more frustrating than changing an engine only to find it died a week later.
[/FONT]
[LINK:www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee|http://members.aol.com/tbeeee/page/registrysig.gif]
Fresh oil regularly is the best "additive". The "junkyard" motor rarely brings satisfaction. It is a rare case that it wil prove to be any better than yours. There is nothing more frustrating than changing an engine only to find it died a week later.
[/FONT]
[LINK:www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee|http://members.aol.com/tbeeee/page/registrysig.gif]
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 219
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From: Richmond USA
Rebuild or Replace?
There was once a song out entitled: "Cheaper to keep Her ".
If you rebuild it you know what's in it.
If you replace it, you hope you know what's in it.
dre'.
If you rebuild it you know what's in it.
If you replace it, you hope you know what's in it.
dre'.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Rebuild or Replace?
I agree totally. Everybody seems to have their own opinion
about what is "low oil pressure" but as long as it runs good
and doesn't foul the plugs I wouldn't worry about it either.
about what is "low oil pressure" but as long as it runs good
and doesn't foul the plugs I wouldn't worry about it either.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Rebuild or Replace?
[font color=red size=3]I agree - drive it. I wouldn't worry about it unless you notice bad noises. In the meantime, save your money for a rebuild (you will eventually have to do something). I would suggest rebuilding the one you have. You know it is a decent motor with no major problems (just worn out). As was said before, if you rebuild this one, then you KNOW what you have, and it's a good time to up the compression and get a bigger cam. Very cheap upgrades, when you do them as the engine is being rebuilt.
Just a thought.
Marty[/font]
Just a thought.
Marty[/font]
New User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Rebuild or Replace?
My '79 351M had the same deal: low oil pressure after warm up. But, it did not have any lifter noise, and burned just a little oil. I drove it this way for well over a year w/ no problems 'til I saved money for the rebuild. Then I built it as a 400 (only difference is the crank and pistons). Lots more torque w/ the 400, and I went with flat top pistons to raise compression ratio to 9:1. With the Edelbrock intake and Carter 4bbl, plus a mild Comp Cams Hi Energy 260 cam, it now has way more torque than I'll ever use. But, it is still very reliable and purrs at idle. God I love my Bronco. 
I tried the RESTORE oil additive in my 351M, but it did not help. Once it warmed up, low oil pressure. Again, I never heard the lifters, ever. Good luck!
I tried the RESTORE oil additive in my 351M, but it did not help. Once it warmed up, low oil pressure. Again, I never heard the lifters, ever. Good luck!
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