I have a 1996 E-350 motorhome with a 460. 60,000 miles on it. was going down road about 60 mph and without warning the engine just blew. I got it home and took it apart and found 1 piston broke and that same rod broke. As I was trying to get the rest of the pistons out they came out easy until the last inch and a half I had to use a pipe and a 3 pound mall to get them out. One I had to hit so hard to get it out that I broke that piston. My question to you guys is first why did the first piston break and why were the pistons so hard to get out of the block. I have taken many motors apart and never had a problem. Do you think this could have been a ford defect with the tolerances? What motors do you recommend me to buy because this one is junk, block, pistons, rods, oil pan, crank. Not worth fixing to me.

thank you,
Brad

 

must have had a pretty good ridge on the top of the cylinder bore to break that piston getting it out. im thinking maybe the engine only having 60k miles on it meant it could have been sitting running alot and could have as much wear as an engine with 2 times the road miles on it. just a thought. as for the engine shop around your area, could come up with a good used engine or if your in the market for a reman engine do alot of research, lots of companies out there, some good some bad.

 

there was no ridge in the cylinders at all, the piston skirts is where it got tight.

 

It could've been a tolerance defect or there could have been something wrong with the block that caused it to warp unusually. Does it really matter if you're going to get another engine?

 

x2...........You unfortunately got hit by a mfg defect, something that ALL mfg's experience. Sorry it had to be you, I have found the 460 to be one of Fords best ever engines..............Theres always an exception to the rule.

 

that is why I was asking you guys what you thought because this is very uncommon for these 460's to do this.

 

Put a micrometer on the piston skirts, sounds like they may have gone oval.

 

Where did the piston and rod break at?

 

rod broke in middle and piston broke in half vertically.