Need some motor advice?

[Kaptn Obvious]

As the story goes... The motor got a cheap rebuild (overhaul) And ran for 2 years with poor results. After that it sat in a field for 8 years. Upon tearing the motor down I'm seeing why... I'm not new to motors, but I've never been through a ford motor. I could use some advice?

At the top of the list is the crank pulley. From what I understand this motor is externally balanced? Thus the spot drilling on the pulley. This would be fine if there wasn't a big chunk missing... (see pic)

The harmonic damper is also in the junk pile. Rubber+30 years of dry rot+the fix-a-leak sleeve=retired...

The cam is wimpy and has 3 distinct wear patterns. it will not see a 4th!

The lifters are also in the junk pile. Some new some used, need I say more?

We haven't dug into the heads or the short block. From looking at the ports on the heads I can see the heads are out too...

The more I dig into this motor the more I see a money pit. I need to put together a motor that she can abuse and not worry about.

The end goal is a truck she can beat on that will take her home. Should I put this 302 back together or head down the 351 road?

I should also mention that the goal is to make the truck a dependable weekend warrior.

Input welcome!

 

[7elk]

The chunk missing could be a problem, but not as bad as the cheap rebuild. If you go cheap, thats what you get. If the heads aren't cracked or warped they can be redone by a machine shop. The balance on the 302 or 351w is in the crank and flywheel. Either 28 or 50 oz, depending on year of motor. Also depending on year of block you can bore to 60 over. 30 is better. Get all machine work done, after checking bore. Either way, you will have to do a rebuild to the motor you decide on. You can get a new harmonic balancer with out to much trouble. All in all, it depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[broncnaz]

Just need a new pulley the holes in the pulley mean little might have been to lighten it as it appers you have a cast iron pulley. Other than a new balancer I dont see any reason you cant rebuild that engine. All new internals should be used and it should be fine.

 

[Kaptn Obvious]

Thanks for the input. The flywheel is also in the junk pile. It's missing a few teeth, and there are several areas where the starter has worn big chunks out of the teeth.

I can fix that motor, that's not the question. The goal is to put the lady in a truck she can beat on, but will still take her home.

I'll know more when we tear into the short block...

 

[fungus]

You should also be able to put a new ring gear on and resurface that flywheel as well. The machine shop that does your block and heads can do it. Lot cheaper than a whole new one...

 

[Kaptn Obvious]

well cool, the flywheel is fine. You can still see the machine marks in it. There's no noticeable wear that I can catch with my fingernail. If I can replace the ring gear that helps a lot. Thanks for the $.02

From what I understand an Exploder 351 is pretty much a bolt in swap. If I were to search for one what's the best one to look for?