63 Ford 292 rebuild

[SPOONMAN1]

Hey guys, my son has a 1963 Ford f100 with a 292 v 8 in it. It runs well but the more he drives it, the more it smokes, I have been told that it is due to burning unleaded gas has an adverse affect on the old valve train. The motor has 120,000 on it, I ran a compression test and it has about 115--120 on all cylinders. I am not a mechanic but I have rebuilt a couple of engine with help from Friends. Maybe I should just look at putting a 302 in it. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks Spoon

 

[WizeOne]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

Although eventually unleaded gas will take it's toll, I doubt that is the issue. The Y block engines were notoriously poor oilers of their top ends plus with the age, I would highly suspect worn valve guides and non existant valve guide seals.

With the compression being pretty even, I do not suspect that your have a ring or worn valve problem. Worn valve guides or chrystalized valve guide stem seals allow oil to be litterally sucked down into the cylinders to burn on the compression stroke.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

Has it ever been re-built? Were the hardened valve seats installed?

As much as I would say stay original......... a newer 302 would be nice.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

'68 in the bkg?

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

Yes, that is a 68 in the back. I got both for a $100 ea out of a pasture. They both run, my son replaced the grill and bumper on the 63 (64 or 65 grill). So did I understand that I probably could have the heads worked and it might slow down th oil consumption?

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

A local machine shoppe will probably charge you $300 to grind the valves and put in new valve guides and seals. Probably a day to tear it apart and put it back. Good place to start and if it still burns oil you can always rebuild the bottom end.
A 302 would be nice but there will be quite a bit of extra work to change engine families.

Auto or manual shifter ? Good old trucks you've got there.

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

It has a three speed on the column. I don't have a plan yet on what to do, but I'll have to do something eventually.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

Cool. I have a '68 myself. Here's a link to a very informative Ford truck site if you haven't found it already:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum40/

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

The original valve guide seals are gone, 16 new seals and a valve spring compressor, couple hour job for an expert, all day for the novice, valve seals are cheap probably under 50 bucks.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

keep the 292, they are torquey and last forever, do the heads.

 

[DJ]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

keep the 292, they are torquey and last forever, do the heads.

Agreed. Plus the nostalgia of "original". That's an easy engine to bring up to todays standards. Going through the whole thing would be quite inexpensive and fun.

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

Agreed. Plus the nostalgia of "original". That's an easy engine to bring up to todays standards. Going through the whole thing would be quite inexpensive and fun.

Sounds good I will plan on a rebuild this winter. Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[dolluper]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

Ifin the seals have harden you could try some trannie oil as ! replacement for 1 litre of oil or when you add old smokey a litre.....could soften the the seals for some grip if it doesn't see will be cleaner for the rebuild....also check the head drains aren't sludged up not allowing the oil to drain to the crank right ...just my cent and a half

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 63 Ford 292 rebuild

If it were me, I'd hunt down a spare set of heads to rebuild ahead of time to have on hand so as to make it a one day job. Otherwise you may end up waiting for parts or the machine shop.

Pay attention to bolt lengths on the upper head bolts, and check the rocker shafts closely as well. Those engines had issues with getting lube up to the rocker shafts.
Also pay attention to how the head gaskets fit, both gaskets are the same and one goes on upside down. It don't look right but that's how they go.
Do a web search on the Ford Y block, there's a lot of good reading.