Taking A Peak At What's Inside a B3

[jason_]

I didn't know you could do that. Hmm.

I've been a tight ass and took apart 2 engines to get ahold of 2 sets of rod bearings, so I could use the bottom half sets, to make a full set in a 3rd engine.

Ford "big" block 460 in our tandem dually dump. Bearings have held up to 12 years of moving 52000#, and that's without trailer behind it. It sits right now with 6 cracked pistons. 460 isn't a HD engine. Can't take miles after miles with foot to the floor in every gear I guess. Many times I've parked at night with a load and under truck glows red from manifolds. Idling you can Watch oil gauge go up while water temp drops. No tstat.

Hehe, I'm cheap.

I do wish it had the real big block in it...

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[dalebwilson]

Final update after this inexpensive fix. My compression numbers improved from 120-140 to 190-200 on all 4 cylinders. The little 63 HP B3 has a noticeable power increase. Thanks to all for viewing and posting.

[lessersivad]

Nice write up. Thanks for posting the results.

[dalebwilson]

Thank you. Yes....the Aqua 93L has the Ranger headlights. They are bright but do not fit real well with the grill. Good enough for me though as a DD.

[batstiva]

Nice work!! Amazing difference. Looks like you gave him a new headlight too.

[Fordverde]

Yes i do, but never seen it. Good to hear the old B3 is behaving well!

[dalebwilson]

I thought I would post an update at the 500 mile break in period after the new piston rings were installed.

-Normal vacuum at idle has increased from 20hg to 22hg and is very smooth. (Ignition timing set at -10BTDC)
-The B3 continues to gain noticeable power each day. (I did install an Aspire cam and rockers while the head was off)
-On my normal 100 mile commute, I am averaging 50 mpg's. (This is combined mountain and highway driving) Before the new rings were installed, I was averaging 42-45 mpg's.
-Engine oil remains clear and no smoke from the exhaust. There is no noticeable oil consumption. (Per the recommended interval, I plan on changing the break in oil and filter this weekend)

Very pleased with the inexpensive fix.

[dalebwilson]

I might have to consider doing this on a few of the engines I have. Didn't realize that the cost was so low.

Absolutely. The costs are minimal but the results can be quite substantial. One reason I posted this thread was to give an alternative to those that do not wish to pull and replace their engine. The bottom end of the B3's are robust enough that normally the rings wear before other moving parts. The work that I did can be easily done in a half to one full day. The only specialized tools needed are a torque wrench, feeler gauge and a ring compressor.

[dalebwilson]

What the hell is in that stuff Berryman's Chem-Dip???? Sweet Jesus!!! need to get me some of that juice!!

Gotta WalMart near you?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/17491945?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227017563401&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40838859392&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78652565912&veh=sem

[jimdigs]

Great stuff Dale. Glad all is running great for ya. Wish I lived near ya so you could do mine. :woc:

[Fordverde]

What the hell is in that stuff Berryman's Chem-Dip???? Sweet Jesus!!! need to get me some of that juice!!

[bhearts]

No worries Bhearts, I didn't take it that way. Good luck for your future rebuild.

I'm building a turbo car before I've ever done an engine rebuild :-$

[dalebwilson]

I'm not hating. I just had no idea they could be reused. I've never built an engine personally. But I like learning what I can before I dive in.

No worries Bhearts, I didn't take it that way. Good luck for your future rebuild.

[nonamekid]

I might have to consider doing this on a few of the engines I have. Didn't realize that the cost was so low.

[bolokid]

Bhearts...If I were building a complete engine, I would have certainly replaced everything in the bottom end including the rod bearings. While driving this $500 car 200 miles per day with 280K on the odometer, my intention here was simply to determine the cause of the oil consumption and low vacuum and repair at the lowest cost.

From looking at the pics in posting #13 am I correct in assuming that you pulled the pistons and worked on the block while the block was still in the car?

OK, I reread original thread.