A crank that moves
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A crank that moves
a friend of mine had a problem with engine knock and oil pres. light on. We measured the pres @ idle (10psi) & @ 2000 rpm (12-15 and fluctuating)determined that 116K was all she would run. Compression was 95 @ all 8 cyls. non oil burning. So R & R with another 302 of same vintage (84). I began to tear down the old one and discovered the crank moves. Not only for and aft (front and rear for you land dwellers)1/8th" but up and down the same. No damage done and new bearings on order. WOW what a life this one had!! just my 2 cents worth..
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122
A crank that moves
Wow that is amazing. I have seen valves move 1/8 in side to side in their guides at 100K, but never anything in the bottom end. He must have been close to running on bare main bearing caps.
Did he ever change his oil and filter?
What did the rest of the engine (pistons, rods, cam) look like?
Are you sure this was not a Chevy engine painted Ford Blue? I do believe they made a 302 also, at one time. It is a possibility; it wouldn't be the first time someone attempted to put a Chevy engine in a Ford!
Did he ever change his oil and filter?
What did the rest of the engine (pistons, rods, cam) look like?
Are you sure this was not a Chevy engine painted Ford Blue? I do believe they made a 302 also, at one time. It is a possibility; it wouldn't be the first time someone attempted to put a Chevy engine in a Ford!
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Joined: Aug 1999
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A crank that moves
I put a 302 w/ 40K on rebuild into my '76 F100 last year, and now I have pulled it because I can pull the crank (via either the flex plate or the Harmonic balancer) in and out a good 1/3". I am trying to figure out what went wrong. I am assured by two tranny shops, and my bus mechanics (I drive transit bus) that my C-6 (no kickdown attached) cannot have done this. The engine was mated to a c-4 in the car in came from. One mechanic shop and a performance shop say that pressure from the C6 w/o kickdown could take out the trust bearing. I did use a flex-plate from a 73 cougar which I believe was a 351C. I am debating replacing the 302 w/a 351W or fixing the one I have or buying a shortblock 302. Sloppy rebuilding is another suspicion I have regarding the 302....Or is this an inherent weakness of the 302 in a full sized truck? How about the 351c flexplate? Is it close enough to fit and not be grossly out of balance, yet different enough to put too much pressure on the crank?
