Rebuild required?
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1463
Printed Date: November-22-2024 at 3:11pm
Topic: Rebuild required?
Posted By: cshire
Subject: Rebuild required?
Date Posted: April-16-2005 at 4:15pm
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'77 Martinique, Escort 351W, 800+ hours, never been opened up to my knowledge.
Late last year I rebuilt carb. Got it back on boat, but never got it running right - always seemed way too rich with lots of black/brown exhaust. Anyway weather was turning cold, and battery was dead so I just winterized engine too wait for spring. Well it's getting to be spring in Michigan now. I decided to pull heads and take a look inside engine to check overall condition. Lots of black carbon build up in combustion chambers - probably from over rich condition. Some rust in upper part of cylinder 8 - head gasket seepage maybe? Anyway my question is are there some easy steps I can take to fix things up or am I better of taking somewhere for a complete rebuild at this point? I'm always keeping my eyes open for a newer 80's 2001 Nautique and would like to upgrade. I would rather not sink a ton of cash into a reubild if I can get the boat functional myself. Here are some photos of the head and cylinders. 
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Replies:
Posted By: Bob's2001
Date Posted: April-16-2005 at 8:26pm
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You should be able to clean that up. If you look inside most any engine you will find the carbon buildup. With almost 30 years, it wouldn't hurt to take the heads to a machine shop for a valve job, shouldn't be too much and they can check the heads for any cracks. Cover the water passages and blow the crud off the pistons with compressed air, I have used a scraper to clean pistons. Rotate the to the top and scrape what won't blow off, put some Marvel mystery oil on them after cleaning up, new gaskets and head bolts,DO NOT reuse the old head bolts. From the pics the cylinder walls look OK. ------------- Bob Ed 83 2001 |
Posted By: Jim_In_Houston
Date Posted: April-16-2005 at 9:33pm
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Bob is right on! Take his advice. My personal gauge as to compllete rebulid or not is the amount of ridge at the top of the cylinder and I do not see any ridge on yours - unless of course a rod is knocking which requires repair ridge or no ridge.
A soft wire wheel on a hand drill makes quick work out of cleaning the piston tops. Don't scratch your cylinder walls. In addition to having your heads rebuilt, now is a good time to replace your timing chain and gears. ------------- Happy owner of a '66 and a '68 Mustang |
Posted By: 64 Skier
Date Posted: April-17-2005 at 5:24am
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I agree with Jim and Bob, those cylinder walls look great and Marvel Mystery oil is what she needs.
Next time you winterize...kill the engine while dripping some Mystery oil into her carb and she won't be so rusty. Now that you see how dry the cylinder walls get on an engine that has been set-up you may want to spray oil into each cylinder before cranking. After start-up, replace the plugs. Rebuilding such a nice engine is better than an upgrade to an 80's vinatage that you don't know what it's been through. You have a great in my opinion. ------------- 64 Skier 66" HO VTX and 67" HO Triumph http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1071&sort=&pagenum=3&yrstart=1971&yrend=1975 - 71CC |