XXitanium Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 First world problems. I'm kicking around options. The truck is no beauty queen. It's white-ish with a shitty blue interior. It has heavy duty suspension added into it. It drives a lot like my old mustang and it's way more fun than my old F250. ....the reason I'm posting here is, I have other thoughts revolving around the situation. The oil pan leaks. I've been told that replacing the oil pan gasket pretty much requires pulling the engine in this model year. THE MAIN Problem, I've got a leaky manifold gasket. Option 1 - quick and dirty. The non-dealer related service center I go to, quoted $380 to replace it and "re-route" the ignition wires. That's that and family finances could handle that for a spare vehicle for any of the kids (or me) to drive when one of the other vehicles is in the shop. Option 2 - Not what I'd really like to do.. I got ballpark quotes from a rebuild place and the service center I mentioned earlier. $2,000 - rebuild 1989 302CID $600 - pull and stuff the 302 back into the truck. Option 3 - Find a different engine and stuff it in there. http://greenbay.craigslist.org/pts/5277780190.html This one looks like fun. There are a whole bunch of other options like do the intake myself, buy a different vehicle (Audi, VW TDI, or some such), junk the F150 and get no.2 son a $500 beater, etc., but I like this old beater Ford. I just thought you bunch-o-motorheads might have some thoughts or opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 My theory on beater pickups is to keep it running well enough to do what it is supposed to do: haul shit from here to there, every once in a while. I resent having to pay for insurance for a vehicle that doesn't get driven 50 miles a month. I put ethanol-free in mine because it takes so long to use a tank. Does it pass inspection? And do the guys at NAPA say the engine really, really needs to be pulled, or do they know a guy? The oil pan and manifold could be done together. Or is that what Option 1 is referring to? Not a bad price for both, I'd go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 The red truck lunched the engine while I was out of work for a few weeks last month. Couldn't spend the money to swap an engine - had one lined up for $200.00 - water over the dam. Black truck - son no. 2 is driving. White truck is the one I'm thinking about. VERY mild sentimental value.... My theory on beater pickups is to keep it running well enough to do what it is supposed to do: haul shit from here to there, every once in a while.I resent having to pay for insurance for a vehicle that doesn't get driven 50 miles a month. I put ethanol-free in mine because it takes so long to use a tank.Does it pass inspection? And do the guys at NAPA say the engine really, really needs to be pulled, or do they know a guy? The oil pan and manifold could be done together. Or is that what Option 1 is referring to? Not a bad price for both, I'd go for it. Yeah, but it's dripping oil on my driveway and I don't live out in the country. ...and "I know a guy" but he's booked up for the moment. I wish I had a heated garage. Maybe I insulate tomorrow or next weekend... I like the hot rod motor for $450 myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbird Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Buy a Chevy.Honestly, this is the kind of thing I'd tackle myself, but I have a lift and a heated shop so of course I would say that. Also, it would be a chance for you and the kid to bond and shed some blood, sweat, tears, and test both your vocabulary and ability to tie curse words together to get your point across. Snatch the engine and do all external gaskets (intake, valve cover, rear main, oil pan, and if necessary timing cover and water pump) that way it's all done. Get Fel-pro, don't cheap out. It also allows you to check a bunch of other stuff as well. If you go this route, BUT A FRONT PUMP SEAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. If you have the engine and trans apart, it is literally slide the torque converter off, pull old seal, replace. The LAST thing you want to do is go through all that work and the pump seal had been leaking as well. I would do a trans pan gasket and tailshaft seal too, that way you know ALL the engine and trans seals are good. As easy as it sounds to buy that engine on craigslist, you could be diving off into someone else's problems. And don't think it's just going to go in and plug and play, there's going to be differences. If what you got runs fine but just leaks, fix the leaks and let sleeping dogs lie. That truck is not worth dumping 2 grand on an engine rebuild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 Kid is actually out in NY at school. The other two that are closer to home each have their own flavor of vehicular hwmoroids going on though. Thanks for the feedback. I may just ride one of my bikes for a few more days, salt and all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 As easy as it sounds to buy that engine on craigslist, you could be diving off into someone else's problems. And don't think it's just going to go in and plug and play, there's going to be differences. If what you got runs fine but just leaks, fix the leaks and let sleeping dogs lie. This.^ Save up for it and pay someone to fix the leaks. IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMG Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Oil is cheap, keep adding and you won't ever need to change it. park it over something to soak up the drips. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbird Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Oil is cheap, keep adding and you won't ever need to change it. park it over something to soak up the drips. Sounds like a Harley owner... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Gt40P heads aren't hot rod, it's a 5.0 out of an Explorer most likely, the heads are anyway. They're not high performance but more fuel efficient than non P heads. Mating them to non a non P manifold or header will likely pose a problem for that efficiency. GT40 non-P Heads are high performance-ish, but either way you won't realize much gains without the right intake, and/or exhaust, and tuning. Assuming it's a late 80's to mid 90's ish truck (OBD1 EEC 4 or 5 system) just stick to stock if you don't wanna have other stuff to mess with. If you wanna turn it up a notch and don't mind getting it tuned there are many options. A 'stock replacement' upgrade option is a stock 5.8 and computer. You didn't state a year for the truck nor what's leaking on the intake. If it's just leaking coolant hit it with some Bar's Leaks, the old brown stuff would be my choice for it. It seems to be vanishing so if it's no longer available go to a chevy dealer for their brown tablets, or maybe a Jaguar dealer if they still sell it for their early V-12s---same stuff different packaging. If it's leaking oil just keep the level on the stick, don't need to be 'full'. You can try some stop leak additive and I would suggest blue devil. If it's leaking air (vacuum) stop driving it or risk needing an engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 Thanks for the info. The intake manifold is leaking air. If I understand it correctly , that's making it loose vacuum and confusing the computer. I was also told the new plug wires I put in aren't routed correctly and are causing a miising condition and part of the "backing". I drove it 40 miles to go visit my mother today. Less than 1/8th tank (2 gallons) 1way. It ran great and held the road nicely the whole way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Buy a Chevy. Nothing personal, but I break out in hives at just the thought. http://wausau.craigslist.org/pts/5320359680.html 282CID If you go this route, BUT A FRONT PUMP SEAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. If you have the engine and trans apart, it is literally slide the torque converter off, pull old seal, replace. The LAST thing you want to do is go through all that work and the pump seal had been leaking as well. I would do a trans pan gasket and tailshaft seal too, that way you know ALL the engine and trans seals are good. As easy as it sounds to buy that engine on craigslist, you could be diving off into someone else's problems. And don't think it's just going to go in and plug and play, there's going to be differences. If what you got runs fine but just leaks, fix the leaks and let sleeping dogs lie. That truck is not worth dumping 2 grand on an engine rebuild. All good ideas - I'll check Rockautocom for prices. ..and I know it's not worth it. I have friends who are single and city dwellers that don't even own cars. Other people make their kids buy their own. I've been told I do things the hard way on occasion. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbird Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I wrote the book on doing things the hard way. But I'm single with no kids, so I tend to do everything by myself. It's cheaper (labor costs FAR more than parts) and I'm learning something that could help my friends save money. And sometimes you don't really have an option. The tile in my bathrooms is only 36 square feet each, but nobody will even show up at your house for less than $200, and I can't tear out both bathrooms at the same time, so that price doubles to $400 (two visits.) JUST FOR THE LABOR!! I can buy all the materials INCLUDING a tile saw for less than $200. Youtube and Google are free.I will hire a plumber though. I'm not taking a chance on flooding my house over saving a few bucks. I wired my entire 30X30 shop including my lift thanks to Youtube, Google, and the good ole folks here at the org. I didn't even get an estimate on that because I like my blood pressure to stay in the "not about to croak" range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Buy a Chevy. Nothing personal, but I break out in hives at just the thought. http://wausau.craigslist.org/pts/5320359680.html 282CID If you go this route, BUT A FRONT PUMP SEAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. If you have the engine and trans apart, it is literally slide the torque converter off, pull old seal, replace. The LAST thing you want to do is go through all that work and the pump seal had been leaking as well. I would do a trans pan gasket and tailshaft seal too, that way you know ALL the engine and trans seals are good. As easy as it sounds to buy that engine on craigslist, you could be diving off into someone else's problems. And don't think it's just going to go in and plug and play, there's going to be differences. If what you got runs fine but just leaks, fix the leaks and let sleeping dogs lie. That truck is not worth dumping 2 grand on an engine rebuild. All good ideas - I'll check Rockautocom for prices. ..and I know it's not worth it. I have friends who are single and city dwellers that don't even own cars. Other people make their kids buy their own. I've been told I do things the hard way on occasion. Many people do not fully understand, let alone embrace your road towards Zen. I am arrogant enough to think I do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 If I can fix it for a thousand and get two more years out of it, that's less than $50 per month spread out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 Craigslist is evil. 4X4 with winch, 360 motor, stepside longbed, heater works. Runs great. Must sell.ALL OFFERS CONSIDERED https://mohave.craigslist.org/cto/5323786895.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 That is a real truck. Maybe not a daily driver into the big city but would be great out in the sticks. In reality, something that old should be preserved not worn out and trashed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Craigslist is evil. 4X4 with winch, 360 motor, stepside longbed, heater works. Runs great. Must sell.ALL OFFERS CONSIDERED F25-360CID.jpg https://mohave.craigslist.org/cto/5323786895.html Road trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Thanks for the info. The intake manifold is leaking air. If I understand it correctly , that's making it loose vacuum and confusing the computer. I was also told the new plug wires I put in aren't routed correctly and are causing a miising condition and part of the "backing". I drove it 40 miles to go visit my mother today. Less than 1/8th tank (2 gallons) 1way. It ran great and held the road nicely the whole way. Check the torque on the intake bolts, might get lucky. "backing" Do you mean backfiring? The routing shouldn't matter much, but in some cases the wires can pass power to each other and cause issues, only heard of it being a problem on small block chevys with #5 & #7 touching each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 ..."bucking", there isn't an explosion from the tail-pipe. The service center printed out a diagnostic report. Let me see if I can dig it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Wire routing. http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/470416 http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1077203-plug-wires-and-crossfire.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pYWTBh8mpc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 I think I talked myself out of fixing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Is this you? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 Maybe. The laziness is part of it. Winter and a semi-drained bank account is another. I worked 95 hours the last pay period too. Working on it would probably be therapeutic. I need a heated space I can abandonit it for a couple weekends. Parts would be cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 Good God. http://greenbay.craigslist.org/pts/5326035292.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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