Engine Rebuild?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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Engine Rebuild?
Hey guys, Got my 95 F-150 4x4 with 175k on it...My oil pan gasket and water pump need replacing soon, and ive been contemplating weather or not I should just pull the motor and do an overhaul or not. Engine runs fine and doesnt burn oil or run rough at all...trucks been very very good to me. But I plan on my truck being my daily driver for the next few years and ive been wondering if itd make more sense to just rebuid the engine. Ive noticed its lost a little power over the years but still runs great. Ive crossed the "aint broke dont fix it" bridge...it also needs motor mounts badly so i think it might be worth it to just do it all in one shot instead of parting it out when things fail...what do you guys think?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 324
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From: San Tan Valley, AZ
Well, lets put it this way...
My truck had 200k+ on it. 200k of very hard! I had a tranny leak that was making a mess of my driveway. I started out fixing a tranny leak, and ended up pulling the entire drivetrain! I'm still working on it nearly 7 weeks later.
Fixing the tranny leak, lead to fixing the oil leak, lead to fixing coolant leak, lead to... screw it. Pulled the oil pan to change the gasket, and pulled off a main cap... Copper is Bad.
Anyway, thats how I ended up building a 393 stroker and I am still putting it in nearly 7 weeks later! You say daily driver... Make sure you have transportation for the time you think its going to be down, and for awhile after too!!!
My truck had 200k+ on it. 200k of very hard! I had a tranny leak that was making a mess of my driveway. I started out fixing a tranny leak, and ended up pulling the entire drivetrain! I'm still working on it nearly 7 weeks later.
Fixing the tranny leak, lead to fixing the oil leak, lead to fixing coolant leak, lead to... screw it. Pulled the oil pan to change the gasket, and pulled off a main cap... Copper is Bad.
Anyway, thats how I ended up building a 393 stroker and I am still putting it in nearly 7 weeks later! You say daily driver... Make sure you have transportation for the time you think its going to be down, and for awhile after too!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,442
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From: La Grande, OR
I think yeah, it would be a good idea to do it all. You're already there, so you might as well. You won't gain any power from doing a bottom-end rebuild, nothing noticeable anyways, but you will help your engine last a lot longer.
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Joined: May 2010
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I am in about the same boat. But with me I blew out a head gasket, I think, and now that I am getting into it a bit I am finding a bunch of little things I do not like. Like a 1/8th inch layer of black goo inside the intake, a distributor shaft that wobbles, a leaky sety of valve covers and so on.
I have a ton of miles on the truck so I think it is time. Shaun
I have a ton of miles on the truck so I think it is time. Shaun
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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I have a 351W in my 92 F150 and am rebuilding my engine now. This project, for me, is very fun and I really like getting into it. I recently decided to also rebuild the tranny.
If you are in a hurry to get your truck running, it will cost a lot more money, but if you have an extra vehicle, like 93_flareside said, then I would encourage it.
BTW - for my motor I am shooting for around 500 HP, your motor could be fun if you do it right.
If you are in a hurry to get your truck running, it will cost a lot more money, but if you have an extra vehicle, like 93_flareside said, then I would encourage it.
BTW - for my motor I am shooting for around 500 HP, your motor could be fun if you do it right.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
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My truck has 280k on the original drivetrain and runs as good as always. It does leak a little from the rear main seal. I would just repair what needs attention. A few times I have considered pulling the engine and freshening it up or getting a crate motor, but it keeps on truckin and runs smooth, so I leave it be, since its happy.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 474
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From: The blues
If it's still running smooth...
You can change the WP, oil pan gasket, and motor mounts in a day; with everything still in the truck, some basic tools, and a floor jack.
Nighthawk--if you run higher compression pistons, yea you can gain some power from a bottom end rebuild.
You can change the WP, oil pan gasket, and motor mounts in a day; with everything still in the truck, some basic tools, and a floor jack.
Nighthawk--if you run higher compression pistons, yea you can gain some power from a bottom end rebuild.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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Yea thanks for the feedback guys. Im thinkin i might go ahead and repair what i need to now, and as the funds allow, do a complete rebuild. I want it to be better, but its been reliable as all hell so no need to mess with it now. Thanks all
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,442
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From: La Grande, OR
Well, yeah, I know that, but I was referring to the things the OP was asking about, like replacing the main bearings, cleaning everything off, etc
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