Engine overhaul
Thread Starter
1989 F150 XL 302 Windsor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
Engine overhaul
i want to give new life to my engine, don't really care how much it costs. I know i won't be able to buy everything I want all at once so where should I start off. I was thinking starting off by getting a new camshaft and new lifters and hydraulic rollers. Then I want to get new cylinder heads then new pistons and so on but I'm not sure what would be the best route to go. Please let me know what I should do
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 141
From: South Dakota
If you are going that far, you will certainly want to have the crankshaft miked(measured with a micrometer), to see if it is not worn or flat. If it measures good, just use standard size main and rod bearings. If it doesn't measure good, spend about a hundred dollars and have the crankshaft turned and use ten one- thousands undersize bearings(the undersize bearings cost about the same as standard size bearings).
Beings you are replacing the pistons, you will probably want to have the block(cylinder walls) bored thirty one-thousands. Not for the slight gain in cubic inches, but because the cylinder walls will be nice and round. This should give you better compression and oil control.
There is a few other things to replace such as a timing chain set and a gasket set.
Why do you want to get new heads? I realise with what some places charge for labor, you may be able to get reconditioned heads just as cheap as having your valves ground.
Beings you are replacing the pistons, you will probably want to have the block(cylinder walls) bored thirty one-thousands. Not for the slight gain in cubic inches, but because the cylinder walls will be nice and round. This should give you better compression and oil control.
There is a few other things to replace such as a timing chain set and a gasket set.
Why do you want to get new heads? I realise with what some places charge for labor, you may be able to get reconditioned heads just as cheap as having your valves ground.
There's no "numbers matching" going on with these motors. Keeping the "original" motor in the truck is not important.
So you'd be further ahead to pick up a cheap motor in good shape, fix it up and shove it in when it's ready.
So you'd be further ahead to pick up a cheap motor in good shape, fix it up and shove it in when it's ready.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 102
Likes: 8
From: Texas
If you can do the work yourself, pull the motor and send the short block to a machine shop. Have them magnaflux the block to check for cracks. Bore the cylinders out to smallest spec. Mic the crank and install new bearings, install new piston/rings. ( this should all be done by machine shop.
then install head(s), cam, and valve train of your choice.
There ya go, rebuilt motor
then install head(s), cam, and valve train of your choice.
There ya go, rebuilt motor
