Builds Work In Progress aka: Badass (11 Viewers)

[NeverGiveUpYota]

How ambitious are you feeling I have a spare 60 that I got a few years ago as a plow truck had carb issues because of old gas never got around to fixing it seen as how it was middle of winter ended up using company truck to plow yard, but it’s sitting up at kinas body is in rough shape but the drivetrain is good if you want you can have the the motor and tranny/ tcase from it, that way you can go through it then just do motor swap plus gives you extra tranny /tcase

I’d take it if your offering it Jon. Not sure how I’d get it... you were my transport guy w/ this truck only so many years ago!

 

[remy1974]

Give me few days to figure it out can you get your hands on an engine hoist to get it out of my truck I’ll see if I can the motor pulled so you don’t have whole truck sitting in your yard

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I think there is a more than significant chance, there is a cracked head. What do things look like under the valve cover?

Anyway, if you are sure the HG is bad, the low compression may just be related to that.

You really gonna rebuild the whole motor? I know you can, but that's a whole lot of work and expense. A magnaflux of the head and new gasket might be enough.

I would so jump on a spare motor. At least if you have a cracked head, you might have a decent alternative. And a spare transfer case is gold.

 

[remy1974]

Of course I do have an extra 350 sitting on a stand looking for a home

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Give me few days to figure it out can you get your hands on an engine hoist to get it out of my truck I’ll see if I can the motor pulled so you don’t have whole truck sitting in your yard

I can easily get a heavy duty hoist and stand. My friend, David, has all that from working on diesels. He was going to drive it over this past weekend but I told him to hold off. It was a tad overwhelming to say yes right away. When I pulled the valve cover I knew I was in deep at that point.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I think there is a more than significant chance, there is a cracked head. What do things look like under the valve cover?

Anyway, if you are sure the HG is bad, the low compression may just be related to that.

You really gonna rebuild the whole motor? I know you can, but that's a whole lot of work and expense. A magnaflux of the head and new gasket might be enough.

I would so jump on a spare motor. At least if you have a cracked head, you might have a decent alternative. And a spare transfer case is gold.

Pisses me off cuz I asked that the head be fluxed, swore it was but I don’t think he wrote it on the receipt.

 

[g-man]

Bummer Fel. Sucks to see this after all the cam bearing work.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Maybe you'll be lucky and it's just the Head gasket. I hope so. Your machine shop can tell you easily. Cracked heads are super common on 60s though, so be prepared mentally for that. You have a bunch of work in front of you for sure. Good luck.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

@woytovich... here I am in all my annoyed glory for half assing previously.

 

[Gretsch]

Maybe you'll be lucky and it's just the Head gasket. I hope so. Your machine shop can tell you easily. Cracked heads are super common on 60s though, so be prepared mentally for that. You have a bunch of work in front of you for sure. Good luck.

So curious here, what makes these heads so prone to cracking? Surely the low compression numbers combined with the oil/coolant mix lean towards just a HG failure right?

This really sucks btw Felicity. Sorry this went down this way. I feel for you for sure. Its clear from this thread this truck has been somewhat therapeutic for you with all you have gone through in life. There are so many times I question my own abilities with regards to working on my 60 series and you should know that I often think about this thread and what you are doing with yours when things come up I may otherwise deem are beyond my skillset. Its been most motivational to follow on many levels. Figuring out the how I am pretty good at, with much help from you and others on this forum. But finding the confidence to tackle things I maybe feel are beyond my capabilities, that's where this thread for me has been such a huge help. You were one of the first to welcome me into this world, and have always been willing to lend a hand. Hope this all works out. GL.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

So curious here, what makes these heads so prone to cracking? Surely the low compression numbers combined with the oil/coolant mix lean towards just a HG failure right?

Hard to say but it's a fact. Early 2Fs do not seem to have the same issue. Could be they lightened the casting a bit. Someone like @FJ40Jim would know.

But in this case, I would not put the motor back together without specifically having the machine shop magnaflux the head.

 

[cruisermatt]

I hadn't thought of a cracked head but that's a good thought, it's not really that much more work to pull the head with the engine in the truck (and you've done it already so you'll be a lot faster). Either way its a sort of win-win

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I hadn't thought of a cracked head but that's a good thought, it's not really that much more work to pull the head with the engine in the truck (and you've done it already so you'll be a lot faster). Either way its a sort of win-win

My plan is to do it right this time. It’s all getting pulled. Tcase and transmission too.

 

[Willard]

What is that saying, do it once do it right.

I know it is hard to do on a budget, and worse when you are relying on a shop to do it right.

It is amazing on how many of them skimp on thing now a days. Of course there are good ones as well all know and I am sure we also know real bad ones as well.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Ok those who’ve done a leak down, what psi is necessary? The cheap leak down tester on Amazon for $34 had 5 reviews. 2 said it won't hold over 15 psi. Next one up $71 has 500+ reviews goes to 100 psi but many complained it doesn't seal tight enough. The HF one is $49 and has many reviews that all seem fairly positive. One tho says he was glad the HF can use a low psi or high.
So what psi will I need?

 

[Prairie Swamp]

I would think more is better. You should probably get one that can handle 90 or whatever your compressor can put out. To be able to find smaller leaks.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Ok thanks!

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

I got hooked up w/ this today. Seems it’ll be sufficient.
Did a valve adjustment and had to add a quart of coolant. New plugs. Started her up, quiet but lots of either smoke or steam. I hadn’t thought to grab a piece of glass or mirror to see if it condensed. Will try tmrw before I head to a local friend (5 miles one way) to do a leak down.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Maybe go at this in stages:
Remove head in truck and check gasket and head for cracks. If bad, replace and put head back on...run it!
If “decapitation” reveals bad juju, continue with “The Full Monty”.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Maybe go at this in stages:
Remove head in truck and check gasket and head for cracks. If bad, replace and put head back on...run it!
If “decapitation” reveals bad juju, continue with “The Full Monty”.

I can’t afford to literally waste a head gasket. Going to do leakdown tmrw and whatever that tells me will guide me but I honestly want to try to do this the right way this time.