My 5.0 finally died in my thunderbird. Theres a piece that cracked off behind the water pump, and antifreeze poured into the oil pan and it took 30 seconds after starting it up to roast every piece in the engine. I`m so disgusted with the car I may sell it for 500 bux. Is it just me or do 5.0`s crack parts alot? The heads cracked years ago and now the block cracked in the worst place possible. I`m considering dumping an old 289 in it with 5.0 injection if thats possible, Until I build the 331 stroker. I was finishing the car up and was getting it ready for it`s maiden run, it`s been 4 years since we drove it. Things look better though, I`m getting a free 68 cougar with a 302 for fixing another car for a friend. Needs a new engine too but the heads and cam are good on it. I named my tbird the fish tank, cause its full to the top with water. lmao. Thing sounded like a tractor with a diesel engine when it went. Anybody have this problem with 5.0`s? Or is this just bad luck? I didnt sleep friday or saturday working on it.
um I've NEVER killed a 5.0L and trust, hell ask anybody here... I drive my cars HARD... hell I drove all the way to CJ and wasn't affriad to do a burnout for the camera's, then drive all the way home...
You must neglect your motors... the 5.0L is one of the most reliable, and durable motors ever built...
I never beat on this engine before. I`ve never actually driven it much, just a few times around the nieghborhood. Some how it got a nice crack in it again for a second time for no reason at all. It`s a massacre in my garage lol. every mechanic tells me the 5.0 doesnt ever blow gaskets the crack the block or heads.
never heard of cracking heads, (unless you neglect to check the anitfreeze and over heat it a few times) hell I even forgot to put antifreeze in my '85 cougars 5.0L once and froze the block up... over heated BIG time!... once it cooled down and thawed out..... (I know that doesn't make much sense, but thats what happened) I drove it back home and added some antifreeze... no more problems.
The 5.0L will split the block with too much power, (above 500hp and 6500rpms) but never heard of that with a stock SO motor.
So, where abouts are you? I might be intrested in your car, got pics of it and the damage?
I`m in saint peters missouri off birdie hills and mexico road. I`ll take pics in a little bit. I Cant even bare to look at this turd anymore. I havent decided to sell it just yet, it`s a sentimental car that me and my bro built since I was 17 and it was my first v8 ever. I need to make sure I`m getting that 68 cougar first though otherwise I have no wheels that can be fixed. Heres the cardomain my brother made 2 years ago. It doesnot look that good anymore though. Half of it is grey primer and the interior is torn out of it. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/339031
I've owned a 5.0 with a cracked block before. It was just an ever-so-slight crack that would probably show up nicely with a Magnaflux but that you couldn't see or feel with the naked eye. The crack resulted in temperature fluctuations. It's very possible that this motor in question was repeatedly overheated then cooled many, many times before you got it. That could explain the crack. It's also possible that someone changed the water pump and either overtightened one of the bolts, or broke off a bolt and tried to drill it out, something like that. What you've experienced isn't common but it's not uncommon either.
Just drop another engine in it and call it good.No big deal.If the car has thew sentimental value that you say it does,it's a no-brainer.New engine,enjoy the car.Now,get that engine pulled out and get busy.
ok heres my pos.
I never had a block or head crack but I did burn one up running high speeds for several hours every day for about 4 days straight. The motor did have high milage and was never pushed before.
Yea I`m just sick of it at the moment. I dont think I`ll sell it but I`m in a huge pich right now and need a new car that runs. sank my bottom dollar in the tbird just getting it ready. Sorry I`m really annoyed right lol.
you just have a minor glitch. A fresh block, and rebuild kit will take care of it. Gezz, its not like the body is a pos, looks like a good car to me.
Looks like a good days worth of work to make that thing road worthy. Sack up, get a used short block and get to work.
Well what did you do to it? They don't just crack sitting there?
dont give up. You'll have it up and running in no time. But if you need to sit down or walk away do so. I've been there many times.
I can't tell from the pics but are you sure the timing cover didn't crack and not the block?
Yea it was the timing cover. Oh well. I have a friend with a 74 ranchero with a 351. Thing is it`s a carb. what will I need to change in the fuel lines and pump? Would I be better off putting an efi on it? I know I`d have to buy a whole new wiring and computer system and it would get pretty expensive. But he put 6k into this motor and just needs a new oil pump. He only wants 1200 for it. I cant find any good 5.0`s around. All the junkyards want 800-900 bux for a standard 5.0 with god knows how many miles and who know if it`s any good. Standard 5.0`s arent worth the head ache. Anybody know where I could find a deal on a mustang or mark8 5.0?
Where are you located?
mark 8 has 4.6
mark 7 is 5.0 HO
Easy fix. While it's apart spruce it up!
I`m located in Saint peters Missouri. I figure since I`m going through so much work I might as well put something faster in it. May cost some money but it`s worth it. This thing was so much fun to drive around the parking lot. I used to drive up on the sidewalks with 2 wheels on the side walk lol.