Sons 89 F250 2wd project

96blak54 · Jun 6, 2022

Here is whats going on in my life lately! More projects that involve my time away from the projects im wanting to complete. Like my personal mustang... Oh well.

This one is my oldest sons 1st purchase and i cant be happier. He has been looking for this model for awhile. Finally scored this one.

This one is an '89 F250 2wd 1ton 351cuin automatic. Rust isnt bad, frame is good, engine is locked up. It has brand new 10ply tires that the owner claims paid $900 put on. In reality my sone bought the tires and got a truck. Best part, the package deal comes with a good running 1996 351ci roller engine.
I trust the seller because its my brother in law and he is a great guy who enjoys cars like we do. He took care of his nephew and sold the package to him for $800

96blak54 · Jun 6, 2022

Here is where we are at

Engine is locked up tight. Bro in law got the engine disassembled, preparing to pull the engine and hit a road block. The engine tightly locked, he couldnt rotate to unbolt the torque converter from the flexplate. In his process, he discovered the camshaft had broke, causing the crank to lock up on broken pieces or at least thats what im told. So now we are moving forward with pulling the engine and transmission together.

Since my 1st plan of removing the oilpan while engine is still in the truck was a fail due to lack of room, we will pull both together, then remove the oil pan and disassemble the rods from the crack so that we can rotate dis chit. I really want to keep the torque converter in place. Its probably no big deal to seperate it. I know it will make a mess doing so....i dont like the mess

07GtS197 · Jun 6, 2022

Looks good. I really wanted an 87-96 F150 or 250 with the 351w or 460, E4od and 4x4 with manual hubs. I couldn’t find what I wanted so I got my 20 F150. Maybe one day.

That will be a nice project for sure.

96blak54 · Jun 9, 2022

When your tools are inadequate for the job, frustration increases exponentially!

My engine hoist for one is to small with a short reach, add in that its light light light dury. Everything we tried was a stepping stone in the wrong direction. I thought maybe we could pull both engine and transmission together. Boy was i wrong! The engine weight is one thing but that transmission is heavy and it doesn't help all that weight hanging off center. Even after removing the wheels and setting the front end down on wood 4x4's, hoping the extra drop will open up space so that this punny lift could hang it all up high enough and drag itt out over the front end. That would be a negative!!

96blak54 · Jun 9, 2022

Now we in the process of resetting the package back in place and im gonna hate to say this but we should have just pulled the engine with the torque converter attached. Because all of this has turned out to make a real mess with trans fluide.

96blak54 · Jun 10, 2022

Finally got that sumbich outa there! Had to pull the converter with it. I wasnt sure if pulling the converter with it would be ok, so i consulted a transmission professional about it. He said all is ok, long as i pull it out straight as possible and thats what we did. Smooth sailing! Smart guy he is!

Ill say this, my mustang capable lifting equipment, jacks and such is no match for this trucks beastly transmission. Its heavy! Ill know next time

96blak54 · Jun 10, 2022

CARNAGE!
Looks like the culprit locking up the engine was a failed rod. Previous owner claimed he was idling through a neighborhood when it locked up. Kinda of crazy. I did notice the intake gasket on that cylinder was improperly installed and was broke open allowing un metered air to enter that chamber. I wounder if lean conditions caused preignition, taking the rod out.

The rod destroyed the block skirt, cylinder, and broke the camshaft.

96blak54 · Jun 10, 2022

I ran over to previous owner house, my bro inlaw, to get the replacement engine.

Next order of business is to clean garage up to make space and get engine on a stand. My son wants to clean up the engine bay, frame, engine, paint it, and make it look good. His work load has doubled now.....i like it!

96blak54 · Jun 15, 2022

Not much of an update.

My son climbed into the engine bay with a roll of paper towels. Started wiping out a thick 33years of grime and grease. It was heavy on the engine cradle.

Then i got out the trusty ol'hand drill and wire brush wheel to start scrubbing surface rust off the frame. Spent about an hour on surface rust everywhere in the engine bay.

We thinking about rolling on black tractor paint on the rails and cradle.

Pulled the valve covers from the engine. Hosed them down with a paint stripper. Scraped that crap off. Still needs a wire wheel.

Ill get pics up of the process soon

96blak54 · Jun 19, 2022

Cleaned up the frame with a wire wheel and degreased the cradle. We got a coat of enamel on. Looks like 2 coats will finish it.

Fighting with that power steering pump while its still attached. We should have pulled it before we started. I think most of the mess we have is from years of leaky hoses from it, but we trying to save some money. Probably bite us later on. A hose will pop and cause a bigger problem. Might just give up and go ahead pull it out.

lwarrior1016 · Jun 19, 2022

I love the progress. This thing is going to be back to tearing up the streets in no time.

96blak54 · Jun 27, 2022

My son is driving around our Durango right now and he some what claims it his. I remind him often that it is not and he is just borrowing it untill he gets his own ride. That said and this being his first ride i hope he gets lost exploring roads and takes full advantage of his youth freedom before real adulthood happens.

96blak54 · Jun 27, 2022

I pulled out the battery tray, wire wheeled the surface rust, and laid down some more black enamel. It spiffied it up and should protect it from rust for awhile.

On the side between engine compartment clean up, ive been cleaning up one of the rusty wheels with wire brush and a hand drill. They have some rust damage but should be ok for normal driving

lwarrior1016 · Jun 27, 2022

Oh yeah, those wheels are going to look perfect on there. How far along are you guys with getting the new engine ready to go in?

96blak54 · Aug 25, 2022

Here is the latest update.
My son bought an engine gasket kit. Not knowing that for less than $100, it comes with every gasket needed including valve seals. Since a exhaust bolt and intake bolt were broken in each head, we decided to pull the heads and do all the work to freshen them up.