351 refresh
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: Grain Valley, MO
351 refresh
The 351 ci, 5.8 in my 94' Bronco is holding very low oil pressure and I want to refresh it and hold onto it for a few more years. Is it possible to rebuild it in the truck? Can the oil pan be removed? I figure rings, main and rod bearings and a new set of lifters should do the trick along with a new oil pump. Am I on the right track?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 0
From: Longview, TX
Start with good mechanical gauges for oil pressure and water temp. Leave the originals disconnected to get in a habit of checking the new ones. Do a search on the stock oil pressure gauge for assurances it is junk. Pull the sender out, screw in a 1/4 X 6 inch brass nipple and hook the new gauge to it. Unless the 351 has been abused I would want to delay this "refresh" project until it has 200-300,000 miles or more. Mine has 190K and I add 1/2 quart between oil changes and I think that is just the volatiles in the oil evaporating. Motorcraft or Purolator filters are popular with many here.
Is it burning oil? Is there oil in the bottom of the air box? A little leak is common and oil is cheap compared to rebuilding if it is just leaking a little.
Is it burning oil? Is there oil in the bottom of the air box? A little leak is common and oil is cheap compared to rebuilding if it is just leaking a little.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
My FSB engine had to be pulled at 130,000. Although the engine was still pulling fine, the rear main seal went and a possible leaking head gasket.
The cost of repairing the these two items was almost as much as replacing the engine with a remanned long block.
While talking to people here, it was more feasible the buy a long block in my situation.
We did rebuild the transmission while the truck was down.
Adding any "real" oil pressure gauge is a must. I put electric units in my trucks just because I rather run wires than tubing into the cab.
The oil pan will be hard to remove without lifting the engine.
Using Motorcraft oil filters is a good choice.
Keep us posted.
The cost of repairing the these two items was almost as much as replacing the engine with a remanned long block.
While talking to people here, it was more feasible the buy a long block in my situation.
We did rebuild the transmission while the truck was down.
Adding any "real" oil pressure gauge is a must. I put electric units in my trucks just because I rather run wires than tubing into the cab.
The oil pan will be hard to remove without lifting the engine.
Using Motorcraft oil filters is a good choice.
Keep us posted.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: Grain Valley, MO
There is no oil in the air box. Not even the smell of oil in it. It doesn't smoke and there's not a drip under the vehicle. I'm suspecting a sending unit or guage. As the unit is only $8.00 I'm trying it first. Watching the guage, it doesn't even move when you start it. Not even a little bit. All other guages seem to be working fine. Time to call Summit I think for a guage assembly so I get an accurate reading.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: Grain Valley, MO
I went to replace the sending unit and I see oil all around it like it had been leaking. Also, at the oil filter there's an additional mount it's on that has two hoses that connect to a collar on the lower radiator hose. What is this, some kind of early oil cooler?
I ordered a two guage panel from Summit and will let you know what the TRUE oil pressure is. Thank's for the info!
I ordered a two guage panel from Summit and will let you know what the TRUE oil pressure is. Thank's for the info!
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: Grain Valley, MO
Update....I took the advice to add a mechanical guage to the Bronco for a true pressure reading. Installed it today, 50 lbs on start up! Great advice and it's very much appreciated. I bought the 2 guage panel, OP and water, and it not only gives us a reading we can rely on it actually looks pretty good at the bottom of the dash.
My Son is going to drive it back to Norfolk Naval Base on Tuesday and now I don't have to worry about it. Thank's again
My Son is going to drive it back to Norfolk Naval Base on Tuesday and now I don't have to worry about it. Thank's again
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