Hi guys, during this last winter i finaly got my 72 highboy on the road (safely). i don't have alot of expieriance with points and timing so i had my mechanic set the points and timing.this was about two months ago, after three or four trips to the mountains it started to run really bad.(back firing every now and then while mantaining a steady rpm about 3000 out of the driver exhuast(true dual) and it wanted to die starting out at a stop sign/light). i drove it for an other day like this and noticed white smoke out of the driver side exhuast. it was a very little amount. also it seems to have lost some power.
i have double checked the timing-good, carb-good, and then did a compresion test. the comp. test showed cylinders 1,2,3, and 4 at 120 psi and spark plugs were light grey. cylinder 5 @50 psi/ plug black and wet. cylinder 6 @ 120 psi/plug light grey. cylinder 7 @ 90 psi/ plug grey. cylinder 8 @ 120 psi/ plug light grey.
i hop that it's just the head gasket!!
if any one knows of any other tests i can do or other possibilities of what this could be i would really appriciate it. thanks...Russ

 

Id go through it, also if the parts and funds are available there are many fun combos for the FE's....but yeah, a head gasket would probly fix it for awhile.

 

thanks for the feedback.

when you said "a head gasket should fix it for a while" were you implying there is an other problem causing the head gasket to leak? and that it will do it again?
also I'd like to know more about different upgrades i can do with the FE block. I'll start an other thread for FE up grades.

thanks again...Russ

 

Your cylinders that came up low, did you give it a couple squirts of oil to see if the compression came up? That will tell you if it is rings or valves.

 

More diagnosis is in order, and I agree with wantaford. You need to determine if your low compression is caused by bad rings, or a bad valve.

If you squirt some oil in the plug hole, it will temporarily seal the rings. If the rings are bad, your compression readings will be higher. If they don't read higher, you probably have a bad valve.

Having said that, I've changed more than a few burned exhaust valves from my FE's over the years.

 

thanks for the feed-back guys. I'll find out this weekend if it's valves or rings.

 

i would also do a leakdown test

 

we pulled the valve cover off and found a bit of slimmy junk, looks like coolant was getting in there. then we cranked it over to watch the rocker arms. on the cylinder that was really bad one of the push-rods was not coming up. i think it's either a lob on the cam shaft got worn down or something is wrong with the lifter.

 

Sounds like you need to look at the lifter. Maybe a quart of Auto Trans fluid ran through her for a day will help that lifter out -and the rest of the engine.
Just don't forget to do an oil change after a day or two.

However, it's best to just check the cam lobe replace the lifter and see where you are at. Hopefully you won't have to tear her down. But, if you do; replace both head gaskets and all lifters IF the ring look OK and you'll be goo to go for a while .... Rebuilds are alway nice but, we don't all have that type of cash to throw at an old truck.

Right now @ 221K I'm thinking about it .... But, my 360 is running so good. I'd like to throw in a 428 with a OD Tranny someday though.

 

mecinoid, that's one nice looken truck!!
ok guys i have decided to go ahead and rebuild!! but i need to do some research before be for i do anything.
i don't want to get crazy, i just want something that's good and torquey i think i'll stay with the 360. i will be using my truck for camping and a little wheeling. so far i have been looking at getting a different kind of cam,different pistons, four barrel intake and a 600 cfm carb. one thing i not at all sure about is compression ratio's i should consider. i would like to have something that has good power at low RPM's and is some what good on gas milage
i need some guidence so any recomendations will be helpfull


thanks...Russ

 

I think you are on the right track. If you want to run on standard pump gas I would'nt go much beyond 8.5:1 on compression, 9:1 max! If I was you I would find a 390 crank and a set of 390 rods - since you are going to go as far as a tear down and I hope some machine work. A bad machinest will really make this a miserable experience so get referals and check with the local BBB to make sure you are going to someone experienced and creditable. The 390 parts will be well worth your trouble. I would go with stock heads, Edelbrock 4-Barrel dual plane mainifold, 1406 Edelbrock carb, Ford electronic "Duraspark" ignition, RV Cam, a good set of Headers, a single exhaust 3" exhaust system with a Flowmaster or Magnaflow bigbody muffler. This type of setup should yield in the neighborhood of 340 - 350 horsepower (gross of course). Should give you good drivability, and good low end torque. For this type of setup including the machine work - plan on spending $3,500 - $4,000.

Engine Machine Work with all internal parts = $1800 - $2000
Carb, Manifold, Headers, Air Cleaner = $1000
Reman Electronic Distibutor, Ignition Module = $90
Exhaust System = $550
Misc Parts & Accessories (water pump,
fuel pump, hoses, thermostat etc.) = $400

Total = $4040
You can save some money by scrounging for used or new eBay parts. Good Luck.

 

If I was to rebuild my 360. I'd just go with a good freshing up, headers, alum intake, edlelbrock man, 600-650cfm carb, rv cam and 2.5" dual exhaust. Maybe pop up the compression to 9.0 with good light weight pistons and still use my ingnitor ingition for durability. I'd have the motor balanced and the heads and intake ported and mildly polished. You'd be set to go for about $2000-2500.

Other than that I'd go all out and get at least a 428CJ Motor and have it rebuilt... and drop it in for about $4K.

This is of course you can take out and install the motor yourself. Otherwise you have to add $1000-1500 install fees.

Best of luck !!!!

I can hardly wait to get started on mine. I'll have to wait just a little longer for funds.
I always like to have the cash in the bank Before I start these types of projects.

 

thanks for the help guys.

i'm sure i'll have more ?? on this topic later on. nothing ever goes just right!!

 

I'm looking forward to the day that I either beef up my 360 or drop something of a 428 in her I think .... Maybe next year ... I'll be following this thread and hopefully I can add some value to it and learn something along the way.

Like - What's the strong and weak links on 360 / 428's 460 is an option ... but, that 428 has really recieved my attention after talking a bit with TigerDan on it. You could do some trick stuff there I think.

LatZ

 

Save some money and build yourself a 410, just add 390 rods and a 428 crank.
Don't forget the cost of a balance job.