Reviving a 1990 F250

IDIBRONCO · Nov 26, 2019

Va_Mike said:
The engine is still in the truck and functioning aside from the coolant being drained. Where can I hook up a oil pressure tester to the engine?

You could hook into where ever the current one is hooked in. Just use one in place of the other. Good thing the engine's still in the truck so you can check this out. Lack of coolant won't hurt for no longer than it takes to check the oil pressure. There may not be any damage from being run low on oil if it leaks while sitting. I'd still check to be sure.

IDIBRONCO · Nov 26, 2019

Va_Mike said:
This engine only has 140,000 miles. Shouldn't need bearings in my mind. Providing the prior owner took care of it.

I was just thinking of being run low on oil.

Va_Mike · Nov 26, 2019

I will find my test gauge and check it on Friday when I get back to it.

Selahdoor · Nov 26, 2019

IDIBRONCO said:
You could hook into where ever the current one is hooked in. Just use one in place of the other. Good thing the engine's still in the truck so you can check this out. Lack of coolant won't hurt for no longer than it takes to check the oil pressure. There may not be any damage from being run low on oil if it leaks while sitting. I'd still check to be sure.

I put quite a bit of oil into mine, when I got it, because it was either empty, or close to it. And that was from sitting for 5 years.

IDIBRONCO · Nov 26, 2019

I'm going along the lines of better safe than sorry. Hopefully, there's nothing wrong with the "new" engine that a reseal won't fix.

Va_Mike · Nov 27, 2019

IDIBRONCO said:
I'm going along the lines of better safe than sorry. Hopefully, there's nothing wrong with the "new" engine that a reseal won't fix.

I am sure hoping this as well. My wife is a very tolerant person but she is starting to get tired of the time and money this truck is costing, and a full rebuild is just not financially possible right now.

Va_Mike · Nov 29, 2019

Well I found the oil pressure test kit in the shop and got it hooked up to the engine right at dark. I started it and let it run about 5 min and the pressure almost instantly went to 45psi. I will let the truck run up to temp tomorrow morning. But I'm not to unhappy with 45psi on a 50 degree day at start up.

IDIBRONCO · Nov 29, 2019

That sounds much better to me! :Thumbs Up

I'll bet you're glad that you checked with another gauge too.

Va_Mike · Nov 30, 2019

I ran the engine today up to temp. At start up at high idle after about 3 min it settles to 42-ish psi steady. After it reached temp and the engie came off high idle it was steady at 39ish psi and reving to 2k it goes close to 60. I feel much better knowing the real numbers now. And this gave me a chance to flush the engine because I had already drained the coolant so I just filled it with water to run it today and then drained it all again. The fresh water I put in came out clean so that's good news too.

Va_Mike · Dec 10, 2019

So I pulled this engine this sunday. before I did I decided to do a comprssion test. the pass side were all at 390ish and the driver side was at 315ish. is this normal?

Va_Mike · Dec 12, 2019

So I got the engine on the stand and I am starting to dissemble things. Any thoughts on the numbers above? My plan is still just a re-seal. Would the low numbers on the driver side indicate anything that needs attention?

bbjordan · Dec 12, 2019

Check the ring end-gap. Check the valves to see they are sealing well. Also check the piston protrusion. If the engine has been rebuilt in the past, it may have been decked on one side more than the other. Also check the heads. One may have been milled more than the other.

IDIBRONCO · Dec 12, 2019

bbjordan said:
Check the ring end-gap. Check the valves to see they are sealing well. Also check the piston protrusion. If the engine has been rebuilt in the past, it may have been decked on one side more than the other. Also check the heads. One may have been milled more than the other.

All better suggestions than I could come up with. Good job! :Thumbs Up

dgr · Dec 12, 2019

Would mismatched head gaskets give a 20% drop in psi? It seems like a lot

IDIBRONCO · Dec 12, 2019

dgr said:
Would mismatched head gaskets give a 20% drop in psi? It seems like a lot

I would seriously doubt it.

Reviving a 1990 F250

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