Ok, so I built a 351C and installed it in my 74 ford f100. Ran it to break in the engine and the day I was gona take it for inspection it started smoking like crazy as I stopped at Autozone for some parts. Took it back home and ckecked compression. It looked fine. Even on the cylinder that had all the oil in the spark plug. As a matter of fact that was the best compression. The one on the driver side closest to the fire wall. Ran it several times and it would smoke after a minute or two being turned on and even more when accelerating. Finally got the head off and found that the oil return was plugged by a wasp nest (mud nest, freakin bugs are costing me some money). Anyway, if for some strange reason the rings on that piston were broken, would that cause scratches in the cylinder walls for sure or not necessarely? But I did find that one of the valve guides was not put on correctly on cylinder #7. Since the head is off I decided to have it done again on the cylinder guide and will probably take the other head off if recomended to have it checked on the guides as well.

Also, this engine is suppossed to have an RV cam in it but does not feel like it. Did not feel like it when breaking it in. What do you guys recomend for this engine If I were to change it? Could not find info on cam before I put the engine together. Not even from machine shop (that realy bites). Unfortunately for me they are in Houston and I am in Austin. Not looking to make a hot rod just want to make it a little stout since it will be my daily driver.
Setup is as follow:
1973 351C 2v from a mustang
Edelbrock performer intake
MSD ignition system (might change to HEI from vendor in this site because the MSD actually belongs to my 78)
Headman Headers
Edelbrock Carb (600 CFM)

If I change the cam do I have to change the cam bearings or just take the one in there and put in the new one?

How can I clean the piston tops form all the carbon buildup it collected while trying to tune it? I can send pics if needed.

Thanks for any input.............

 

i would think that if the rings were broke then it would scratch the cylinder.but if thats the case you would be removing that piston anyway.as far as cam goes with the 2v heads you need a cam that works best fron idle to 4500 to 5000 rpm. the 2v heads are better for a street engine.also make sure your intake is for 2v heads as they also sell one for 4v heads,i dont think they interchange well.also as long as your careful and dont knick up the cam bearing you can stick a new one in.hope this helps ya.

 

Well, took heads off and took them to the shop. Shop told me that who ever did the head job polished the valves to make them fit the guide or what ever other reason and polished too much. That in turn created too much slop between them and the guides and was causing oil to go in the cylinders. But also found a wasp nest (mud nest) in the return of the affected head which was causing a slow tricle of the oil back into the engine which was the original problem I started with. There was a tremendous amount of sludge in all cylinders due to bad valve stems. I am spending way too much money on this engine by redoing stuff that should have been done right the first time. I have no luck with engines............

I also cleaned the sludge off the pistons and the top of the cylinder walls with scotchbrite and wd40. It came off quick and easy.

 

i believe i would have a talk with this shop

 

hi Chrisf 250-460, whew, i hope thats right, listen a quick point, i see that you are a junior user on this SITE, BUT i know that handle does not nessc equate to exp. i am and old man but i want to compliment you on your LAST statement. DO NOT NICK THOSE cam bears. i KNOW you are right on that point. some day, some day, i intend to modify our engine stand so i can turn our block vertical and quietely and respectfully DROP my cam DOWN in my block with control. i have nicked bears in the past and it AINT GOOD, a pet peeve of mine. fair enough, later me pk.md

 

thanx father/son. by no means am i n expert but ive worked on everthing ive owned since my first car.ive made plenty of misstakes and nicking a cam bearing was one of them. ladiabla74 anything going on now with you and your engine(hopefully good news)