Fordzilla80
Ranger Lariat
Well guys, it has come time for me to part ways with the 4.9 300 I6. After removing the thermostat housing and finding junk and corrosion all throughout the head, I've decided to part it out and then scrap whatever doesn't sell. So I figured I'd make a little thread in here showing the stages of dis-assembly and why exactly I'm parting ways with the 300. For as long as I've owned the truck, I have wanted to know why it was parked for three years. I never got around to tearing it down until now, and well, I think I answered my question.
To fill you in on what I have found so far, here's a small list.
-Upon removing the air cleaner, I found that the carburetor linkage was incorrectly installed, and so the throttle plate was only opening at 3/4 throttle.
-Upon removing the thermostat housing, I found more corrosion and trash in the head than I have ever seen in my life.
-The truck was missing it's thermostat, which leads me to believe that the truck overheated at one point.
-The radiator had been previously drained and flushed after I got the truck, but when pulled back out and re-drained this week, it was just as bad as before.
-Most of the engine has been re-gasketed using some sort of orange gasket-maker. All of these "gaskets" failed and poured oil out of everywhere.
-The camshaft has visible marks on the lobe visible through the fuel pump lever hole, so I imagine the rest of the camshaft may be damaged as well.
-A few of the main attaching bracket pivot bolts were stripped. Only one has not been removed, and that one will need to be cut off.
-A few of the freeze plugs have been popped and show obvious signs of leakage.
And now for some pictures.
Before:
The reason I decided to tear it down:
Air Cleaner, Carburetor, coolant hoses, and Alternator removed.
Distributor, Coil, associated wiring, and Fuel Pump removed:
Behind the Pushrod Cover:
Exhaust removed. When I got the truck, there was nothing after the cat. I had to fashion the exhaust just to quiet the truck down a bit and avoid noise complaints.
Intake/Exhaust Manifolds, Starter, Alternator brackets, and remaining vacuum lines removed.
"AIR" tube refuses to come off, so I had to take the entire assembly off together. About 50 or so pounds.
Looks like the cam has some nice marks on the lobe. This is looking through the fuel pump hole.
Inside the Water Pump:
Lower Radiator Hose: Check out the "clogged artery".
Behind the water pump, looking at the number 1 cylinder wall.
Pretty sure the truck has gained a few inches height in the front. The front used to sit lower than the rear.
The only things left keeping the engine and trans in are the motor and trans mounts, and the drive shaft. Once I get my new hydraulic ram, out comes the 300 and the C6.
To fill you in on what I have found so far, here's a small list.
-Upon removing the air cleaner, I found that the carburetor linkage was incorrectly installed, and so the throttle plate was only opening at 3/4 throttle.
-Upon removing the thermostat housing, I found more corrosion and trash in the head than I have ever seen in my life.
-The truck was missing it's thermostat, which leads me to believe that the truck overheated at one point.
-The radiator had been previously drained and flushed after I got the truck, but when pulled back out and re-drained this week, it was just as bad as before.
-Most of the engine has been re-gasketed using some sort of orange gasket-maker. All of these "gaskets" failed and poured oil out of everywhere.
-The camshaft has visible marks on the lobe visible through the fuel pump lever hole, so I imagine the rest of the camshaft may be damaged as well.
-A few of the main attaching bracket pivot bolts were stripped. Only one has not been removed, and that one will need to be cut off.
-A few of the freeze plugs have been popped and show obvious signs of leakage.
And now for some pictures.
Before:
The reason I decided to tear it down:
Air Cleaner, Carburetor, coolant hoses, and Alternator removed.
Distributor, Coil, associated wiring, and Fuel Pump removed:
Behind the Pushrod Cover:
Exhaust removed. When I got the truck, there was nothing after the cat. I had to fashion the exhaust just to quiet the truck down a bit and avoid noise complaints.
Intake/Exhaust Manifolds, Starter, Alternator brackets, and remaining vacuum lines removed.
"AIR" tube refuses to come off, so I had to take the entire assembly off together. About 50 or so pounds.
Looks like the cam has some nice marks on the lobe. This is looking through the fuel pump hole.
Inside the Water Pump:
Lower Radiator Hose: Check out the "clogged artery".
Behind the water pump, looking at the number 1 cylinder wall.
Pretty sure the truck has gained a few inches height in the front. The front used to sit lower than the rear.
The only things left keeping the engine and trans in are the motor and trans mounts, and the drive shaft. Once I get my new hydraulic ram, out comes the 300 and the C6.
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