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Is this engine junk or worth working on

Tiny
CHADEASTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1972 FORD F-250
Recently aquired a 72 f250 with the 390 engine. Was told "it was running when parked 5 years ago". I was taking all the precautions (changing fluids, soaking tops of cylinders through plug holes, changing filters etc.) And when I pulled the plugs they had rust on them, then when I drained the oil I got about 5 quarts of water and 2 quars of sludge. Also when I pulled the carburator the intake manafold was quite rusty. Should I chunk the engine?
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 12:59 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Wow. It sounds like it is done, but that isn't always the case. Is the engine free turning?
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 2:27 AM
Tiny
CHADEASTIN
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  • 5 POSTS
I am soaking the cylinders (through the plug holes) with lubricating oil, and tomorrow I will be trying to turn it over with a breaker bar. Also, there is no green (antifreeze) it was clear water. I did rinse the motor off with the hose, but was careful to seal the carburator with plastic.
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 2:34 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Are you in an area that freezes? Also, have you checked freeze plugs?

As far as the engine, the 390 was a work horse. It would be nice to save it, but it may cost too much. If it isn't locked up, I would put clean oil in it with a new filter and some good gas to see if it will run. Chances are it will. The determining factor will be if you have any rod or bearing knock. Expect to hear lifter noise for a short while.

Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 2:42 AM
Tiny
CHADEASTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I havent checked the freeze plugs, I will do that. I live in Oklahoma and we do get a good freeze every winter, however the guy did drain the coolant at some point in time. I will try to get it started tomorrow and see what happens. Thank you for your help.
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 2:49 AM
Tiny
CHADEASTIN
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  • 5 POSTS
Oh yeah, is the rust in the intake manafold going to hurt anything when I start it?
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 2:53 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Take compressed air and try to blow out the intake as best you can. The rust isn't going to help, but it shouldn't hurt too much as long as there isn't a ton of it.

Let me know how you make out.
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 3:26 AM
Tiny
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Engine is deffinetly seazed. I am thinking about pooring diesel or karosene into the cylinders. I guess the next thing is to chunk the thing. Would it even be worth trying to rebuild? Thank you for your advice.
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I was afraid of that. Try PB blaster in the cylinders. If it has a standard trans, try rocking it in 4 gear.
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Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 AT 12:19 AM

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