total rebuild?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 58
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total rebuild?
Hello everyone,
My 2wd 74 f100 has just under 98,000 original miles on it. 95% of the body work is done. It has a 302 with a c4 trans. The motor still has plenty of pep left in her, BUT it leaks and looks like hell. There is also a tick coming from the heads at idle. Now for the questions, bear with me I have alot.
1. Would it be a lost cause to pull apart the top end for a new cam, lifters, gaskets, etc.?
2. Or would I be better off tearing down the entire motor and going through everything, bearings, rings, seals?
3.If I just do the top end, what should I look for to see if the bottom end needs to be gone through?
4. And finally, If I do the works, any tips or tricks to rebuilding a small block ford? What to watch for, what not to do, things of that nature. I have rebuilt a chevy or two just never dove into a Ford. But my 74 is my baby so I want to take care of her. Thanks for the help and tips guys/gals.
Chris in ND
My 2wd 74 f100 has just under 98,000 original miles on it. 95% of the body work is done. It has a 302 with a c4 trans. The motor still has plenty of pep left in her, BUT it leaks and looks like hell. There is also a tick coming from the heads at idle. Now for the questions, bear with me I have alot.
1. Would it be a lost cause to pull apart the top end for a new cam, lifters, gaskets, etc.?
2. Or would I be better off tearing down the entire motor and going through everything, bearings, rings, seals?
3.If I just do the top end, what should I look for to see if the bottom end needs to be gone through?
4. And finally, If I do the works, any tips or tricks to rebuilding a small block ford? What to watch for, what not to do, things of that nature. I have rebuilt a chevy or two just never dove into a Ford. But my 74 is my baby so I want to take care of her. Thanks for the help and tips guys/gals.
Chris in ND
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 1
From: US/Baja border
If it's just leaks you can probably fix them with new gskts and find out what the tick is while your at it but it is never a good idea to just do the top end, if you pull the heads to rebuild them do the whole engine! Any good mechanic will tell you this because you will not be happy with the results.
If you have the engine rebuilt I would take and stamp the heads and block and tell whoever does the work so you get your stuff back.
If you have the engine rebuilt I would take and stamp the heads and block and tell whoever does the work so you get your stuff back.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 381
Likes: 5
Tip: Pay a little extra $$ for GOOD silicone sealant. Stay away from the standard RTV junk.
I rebuilt my mothers '70s VW Manx about 10 yrs ago... 1600cc dualport. The guy at the VW shop talked me into a $20 tube of silicone that he swore by. That motor hasn't leaked a SINGLE drop of oil in 10 yrs.
If you know anything about VW's you are probably calling me a liar, but it's gods-honest truth.
I wish I would have saved the tube, cause I can't for the life of me remember the brand. It was grey in color and the wrapper and tube were all written in German.
I rebuilt my mothers '70s VW Manx about 10 yrs ago... 1600cc dualport. The guy at the VW shop talked me into a $20 tube of silicone that he swore by. That motor hasn't leaked a SINGLE drop of oil in 10 yrs.
If you know anything about VW's you are probably calling me a liar, but it's gods-honest truth.
I wish I would have saved the tube, cause I can't for the life of me remember the brand. It was grey in color and the wrapper and tube were all written in German.
