Built FORD tough!

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Built FORD tough!

1986F150Six
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This post was updated on .
On 9/14/17, my 1986 F150 was being called upon to drive ~570 miles to Skiatook, OK, for the 2017 OK GTG. It has made this trip 3 times before.

This truck is powered by the 4.9L engine [Duraspark conversion]. The engine has 205K miles and has always run great. My beautiful wife was with me and as we approached Memphis, TN [~100 miles into the trip], the factory oil pressure gauge began to drop. I quickly looked at the fuel and temperature gauges to see if the ICVR was acting up. The temperature gauge was a little lower than normal, but the fuel gauge was about where I would expect it to be. I continued and began to hear tapping. I pulled to the side of the road and listened. The sound was like that of a sticking lifter. I opened the oil fill, with engine idling, and could see oil flowing and the ticking sound stopped. I tried again and as I got up to highway speed [65 mph], the sound returned and worsened. I did a gut check and a small voice told me to head back home. You have to realize that there are parts of Memphis where one does not want to break down with your loving wife of 34 years!

The further I drove [longest 100 miles of my life], the worse it sounded. The oil pressure gauge was steady with the "N" of NORMAL. I checked the oil level and it was full and clean. The higher the RPMs, the lower the oil pressure. I slowed to 50 mph and when going up hills it normally easily "torques" @ that speed, I would have to down shift which caused the RPMs to increase and the oil pressure would bottom out. There were hills [small, normally] where the engine would begin to drop cylinders as the clattering increased. I would nervously keep an eye on the pressure gauge and pray that I soon would crest the hill so a shift to O.D. could be made, lowering the engine speed. By the time I drove into our driveway, the engine was missing and sounded like a number of people were hitting it with small hammers. OUCH!!! I was sick, but the truck got us home before giving up its life [or so I thought].

Unfortunately, our area does not have machine shops which the local reputable mechanics can trust. Consideration was being made into installing a remanufactured long block, but was not necessary, after all. A good friend [local FORD trained Diesel mechanic] agreed to work on the truck and I had it towed to his shop. I did not try to start it after returning from OK [we drove my wife's car] because I did not want to hear it "scream in pain", again. Several days later, my friend said he had started the engine and let it idle for some time and the initial lifter clicking abated after a while. He said it still showed extremely low oil pressure but otherwise sounded good. The oil pan was dropped and the pick-up screen was clogged.

Now, let me provide some history. I purchased this truck about 9 years ago, with ~121K miles, from the elderly original owner. It had never been abused, but had not had regular maintenance. The oil was black with a Fram oil filter and the engine still had the original spark plug wires, radiator hoses, heater hoses, etc. Many vacuum hoses were missing or cracked. The engine bucked and the first 2 tanks of gasoline returned 8 - 11 mpg. When looking into the valve cover after removing the oil fill cap, one could see much sludge on the rockers. I began to reclaim the truck and did numerous "short interval" oil and filter changes using Rotella Diesel rated oil for its high detergent and high Zinc properties. The rockers are now clean and have been for a long time [years]. Earlier this year, when replacing the pushrod inspection cover gasket, I observed that that part of the engine was quite clean. So, in my mind, the engine internals must have been cleaned by the normal oil change intervals with good oil and filter [Motorcraft FL1A]. Apparently, WRONG!

Just before the tow truck arrived, I checked the oil level, which had just been changed before the trip and was on the "calibrated by me" oil mark. It now was ~1/2 quart above the line???

A close inspection of the fuel pump looks like it has just begun to leak internally to the crankcase.

The bottom of the oil pan had more crud than I would like to have seen. I am theorizing that sludge as seen on internal engine parts must have some "carbonized" part that does not dissolve with the detergents in the oil and just settles to the bottom of the pan and not flow out with hot oil changes. Anyway, the screen is covered with a metal baffle and maybe a 1/4 - 1/3 open area with no baffle. Looking under the baffle, it was full of black crud and there was some blockage of the non-covered screen.

Maybe the leaking gasoline thinned the oil and introduced unwanted solvents which loosened the pan bottom crud. As engine speed increased [I normally go put-put; ask Gary], the loosened and softened sludge was sucked up and blocked the only open area of the oil pick-up screen, thereby blocking the oil flow?

The oil pump has been replaced along with a new pick-up screen and tubing. The fuel pump has been replaced as well. While the pan was off, the raised areas which encircle the securing bolts, locating the original cork gasket, were ground smooth. This is a neat trick which enables one to install the 1 piece oil gasket, which Ford used on the later 4.9L engines, updating the 4 piece [leak prone] original.

6 quarts of 10W30 and a new FL1A oil filter and the engine sounds great and the oil pressure is back to normal.

I will change the oil again in about 300 - 500 miles and have to regain my confidence by taking longer and faster trips, but as of the 24 hours I have had it back, all is well.

Sorry for the very long post, but maybe this will help someone else.
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Re: Built FORD tough!

Gary Lewis
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Wow!  What wonderful news!!!  ๐ŸŽ‰

I'm thinking you are right, that the gas softened the gunk that otherwise was stuck. (Like Lipitor does to blood globules?)  And that gunk plugged the artery to the eye ......  Wait!  I think I'm getting my stories mixed up. ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Which explains why the oil pressure went down with increasing RPM - there wasn't enough area through which to pull the amount of oil the pump wanted to move at the higher RPM. So a vacuum formed on the inlet to the pump and little oil was getting pumped.

And since the lifters are usually the last to get oil, they were the first to complain. Once a lifter can't pump up it doesn't open when it is supposed to open nor lift as much as it should. So the power is down and the noise is up.

Yippeee!
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Built FORD tough!

ArdWrknTrk
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In reply to this post by 1986F150Six
David do these 300 trucks come with a phenolic or fiber timing gear?

My truck came with a nylon tooth cam gear (for noise reduction) and when I had my pan off it took me a whole hour to pick all the plastic shards out of my pickup screen.

Fortunately my engine is pretty clean inside because it gets a steady diet of diesel oil with all those detergents and the ubiquitous FL1A.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Built FORD tough!

reamer
In reply to this post by 1986F150Six
Reminds me of 1984, with my 1974 Bronco with a 302. Since I bought it, it had always burned oil, just acepted it that way. On a long trip, the temp went up and the oil pressure went down, and noise went up.
Pulled of to the side of the Highway and put 2-3 qts of oil from my emergency stach and drove home.

Funny, it never burned oil again......lasted years too!
1986 F-150 Flareside 4x4, 351, 4-v, ZF5 speed. AC, Cruise, Tilt, Slider, Digital clock, Radio, Lariat seat, Pwr doors/locks
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Re: Built FORD tough!

ctubutis
In reply to this post by 1986F150Six
Thank you for the explanation David! I was wondering what was up with that....
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Re: Built FORD tough!

Ford F834
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In reply to this post by 1986F150Six
This is rockin' good news David, but also a sobering vicarious lesson for the rest of us. For as careful and meticulous as you are it is unthinkable that this would happen to you after that many years of careful maintenance. But it did... and could happen to any of us that have a vehicle where the PO neglected oil changes. I'm just glad your engine turned out to be "okay"  even if it is worse for the wear. It is a good thing you turned around when you did, and I'm sure glad it got you home and wasn't any worse than it was!
SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under constructionโ€” converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2
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Re: Built FORD tough!

1986F150Six
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In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk
ArdWrknTrk wrote
David, do these 300 trucks come with a phenolic or fiber timing gear?
Yes. But, other than sludge, nothing was found in the bottom of the oil pan. Praise the Lord!
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Re: Built FORD tough!

Gary Lewis
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That is excellent news!  

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Built FORD tough!

PetesPonies
Since the 240/300 series engines have no chain, it is a gear mesh. Fiber was used, but you can go with all metal. All metal is a little noisier, that's all.
Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

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Re: Built FORD tough!

ArdWrknTrk
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You can even get straight cut gears if you like that blower whine!    


David,  you made the wise decision to turn back and I'm glad your mechanic was able to clean the pickup.
Your new fuel pump should be good for another 100k.

 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Built FORD tough!

1986F150Six
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ArdWrknTrk wrote
David,  you made the wise decision to turn back and I'm glad your mechanic was able to clean the pickup.
Your new fuel pump should be good for another 100k.
I hope so! My dream is to drive this truck until I retire!
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Re: Built FORD tough!

Gary Lewis
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Why stop then?  
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Built FORD tough!

1986F150Six
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Gary Lewis wrote
Why stop then?  
And beyond!!!
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Re: Built FORD tough!

Howling.Wolf
Hi,
I am also happy this turned out well at the end.
But this rises a question to me, as my factory oil gauge shows me full pressure and low pressure whithin a few seconds. Sometimes it seems to be fine at 2000rpm and sometimes not. Sometimes it shows me good pressure while idling sometimes not.
But if the rpms go higher than 3500rpm it shows me low oil pressure.
Oil level is definetely fine.
It looks like I should change the pumb, what dio you think ?
 ยด86 F150 5.0 EFI 4WD LWB
I belive in metrics. ๐Ÿ˜‰
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Re: Built FORD tough!

PetesPonies
This post was updated on .
Pumps rarely go bad. It's such a simple system, its almost foolproof. Three other things are more plausible. Check your pressure with a mechanical gauge, first. Next two aren't as easy. The pump pickup screen can get clogged, or your bearings are worn. When the bearings are worn, pressure will drop as RPMs rise.
Pete's Ponies
Mustang RUSToration & Performance

1982 F100 Flareside
1983 Bronco

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Re: Built FORD tough!

Gary Lewis
Administrator
I agree with Pete.  Check first with a mechanical gauge to see that you really have a problem.  But, the symptoms of dropping pressure with increasing RPM are consistent with a clogged pickup screen and, to some extent, worn bearings.  Better check things out, soon.

Edit: I should have asked about the fuel level and water temp gauges.  If they change at the same time the oil pressure gauge changes then the problem is the ICVR.  But, that doesn't explain the dropping of pressure at higher RPM.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Built FORD tough!

Howling.Wolf
I am gonna check tomorrow.
Fuelgauge and Water seems to be fine.
Thanks.
 ยด86 F150 5.0 EFI 4WD LWB
I belive in metrics. ๐Ÿ˜‰
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Re: Built FORD tough!

Howling.Wolf
Allright, been on the car for quite some time. But still the Oil gauge is doesnโ€˜t show show what I woul like to see.
Can you please explain what bearings (whiich ones) you do mean ?
And what is the gauge pickup screen ?
Sorry, for asking.
 ยด86 F150 5.0 EFI 4WD LWB
I belive in metrics. ๐Ÿ˜‰
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Re: Built FORD tough!

Gary Lewis
Administrator
No need to apologize for asking for clarification.

The bearings would be the main, rod, and cam bearings.  Loose or worn out bearings can cause the oil pressure to go low, and sometimes it gets worse/lower under load.

The screen is in the oil pump pickup, that sets in the bottom of the oil pan.  I've highlighted it in the illustration below.  If it gets clogged, like with gunk, it will reduce the flow of oil into the pump.  And, as the engine spins faster and more oil should flow, at some point the flow into the pump won't be enough and the pressure will drop.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

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Re: Built FORD tough!

Howling.Wolf
Thanks Gary, this means that both cases arenโ€˜t good or the engine until this is fixed. The seal for the oilpan is ordered. Until this arrives I will not let the engine run.
Thanks again.

 ยด86 F150 5.0 EFI 4WD LWB
I belive in metrics. ๐Ÿ˜‰
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