Well after much help from other ford owners on here I have come to the conclusion that my main bearings on the crankshaft are bad. I cant decide what to do.

Replace The Motor=Money i dont have right now but might and whether or not I have the know how.

Replace The Main Bearings= Can afford that, but again, I don't know if i have the know how.

Install High Flow/Capacity Oil Pump= not to bad price wise and i think i can do that.

I am open to any suggestions of any kind!!

 

Go with option 1, drop in a new/used engine. If you decide to rebuild the bottom end its gonna cost more time and money then a used engine. And option 3 won't fix you're problem, it will just make it worse. A high flow oil pump will suck a stock oil pan dry at higher RPM's, drag down performance and increased oil pressure where you don't need it. High flow pumps work best for racing engines with added oil capacity.

 

if you are thinking about replacing the motor, just drive her till she pops. might get a couple more thousand out of her.

 

You both make good points!! well looks like ill start saving and run her till she dies.

so do i drop in another i6 or v8? what are the pros and cons of doing that? Thanks!

 

Look for the replacement motor now so you can start cleaning it up etc while you work on killing the other

 

Look for the replacement motor now so you can start cleaning it up etc while you work on killing the other

 

How do you know the mains are bad? what symptoms are you having?

Ford has the typical main rattle when starting as its dry... they usually never hammer once started... a rod will though. Also on an Automatic and cracked flywheel will sound like a rod hammer... the same goes for a busted Harmonic Balancer...

What is your oil pressure sitting Idle heat soaked... check it with an actual gauge not the dash gauge....

 

I started out with a mechanical gauge and 10w30 motor oil and had 10psi idle and 30 cold at 55mph. When it warmed up i had 20 psi at 55mph and 4psi at idle. Then i put in 20w50 and my pressures when up to 20psi cold idle and 40psi cold at 55 mph. then 30psi at hot 55mph and 6psi at hot idle. Thats what baffles me is that the engine has no knock ever. you can open the hood and listen and it hums right along no problem. the only knocking i hear is when im driving and lift of the gas to shift the engine sounds like a diesel! exactly like a diesel best way i can describe it!

 

Have you checked your flywheel/flexplate bolts to make sure they're not loose? That can sound similar to a rod knock or bad main bearings.

 

it can live a long life with only 4psi oil pressure warm...

Common on those is the bypass sticks and it puts the oil back in the pan instead of thru the engine... but when things get worn tolerances are wide and oil pressure drops... are you sure the gauge you used was accurate?


if it was a 2 wheel drive i'd prolly pull the pan and take a look... 4 wheel drive I'd just drive it....