Hello All,

I am going to make a logn story short, and then ask for any diagnosis/help.

I have a 302 cid, was suppose to be an 80's model motor and running.

Ran the block numbers C8OE at the local parts store, found out this block was produce between 1968-1974 and the heads seem to match the older of these years there was no smog ports on the heads.

I replaced a couple of rocker arms that were kind of rusted, intake gaskets and valve cover gaskets, other than dirty (not to bad the top end looked good).

Replaced the oil pan gasket, and the bottom end looked okay. Except some one had been into the motor before. They put the pistons and rods back into it like it was a GM product (One bank was odd numbers and the other bank was the even).

Dropped this motor into a 79 F100, 2wd, 1/2 ton, 3 speed on the column, today.

Cranked right up and had about 40 lbs of oil pressure. And it idled and ran good after all the vacuum lines were properly routed/plugged.

Problem #1

After about 30 minutes - oil pressure went to zero (have an actual pressure gauge on it). My thoughts are either the oil pump or cam bearings.

Problem #2

Maybe this is linked to problem #1.
Alot of vaccuum under the right bank valve cover.

The engine does not smoke or knock, actually idles pretty good.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions. The motor was free, I only have a about $150.00 in gaskets, oil, filter, antifreeze.


Thanks in advance.

KenZ28

 

You say the bottom end looked okay. Did you pull some bearing caps and check the bearings, or you just didnt' see anything that looked out of place?

You also say there's no knocking. Does this include when the O/P drops to zero? If it's really zero, at that point you should hear some knocking. Oil pump pickup screen was clean, I take it?

You may very well be looking at putting in a new oil pump. I don't see how the vacuum problem could be related to oil pressure, but it bears checking into, sounds like you might have some sort of vacuum leak. You should actually have some pressure in the valve cover, not vacuum. check your PCV valve first off.

Sounds like some interesting problems, but nothing beats getting good deal, even if you have to spend a little time and energy working the bugs out.

 

I pulled the number 1 and 5 rod caps. The bearings loooked used but not worn out, no copperrish look, just the babbit soft metal. The pick up tube was cleaned, but really wasn't that bad either.

I came home from work today and cranked it up and it idled very well, and my gauge showed it ldleing with about 20 lbs of pressure.

I am thinking maybe some kind of carbon or something built up somewhere and the new oil got to it and softened it up a little. So this will mean a fresh oil change in about 300-400 miles.

You are right I am pretty sure the oiling and vacuum problem are two completely different problems - but I was hoping some one with more ford experience than me would know something that I was ignorant of.

Well one problem seems to have fixed itself for now (oil pressure), I will look at the vaccuum problem again tomarrow.

Any and all input is welcome.

Thanks TigerDan.

KenZ28