TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Topic: TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly (Read 11873 times) previous topic - next topic

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

August 06, 2007, 08:48:50 PM

Stage One = Engine Tear Down---

This is an 88 Mark VII engine, 170k miles. I got it for a little over $50 bucks on Pick-N-Pulls %50 off weekend.

I've bounced back and forth between just dropping this engine in the car or rebuilding it. After realizing what I plan to do with this car I chose the latter.

So far I have one head off the engine and I'm very pleased at what I've found. Very nice bores with crosshatch still intact. :) The engine has nearly no sludge, I was only able to find one small crusty spot. Now the water jackets,

very crusty. Looks like I'll be cleaning this block up myself and putting new bearings and rings in it. No machine shop visit for this engine. I will be tearing the heads apart and porting the hell out of them as I'm not ready to purchase new ones.

Here we have the engine as it sits. I may take the other head off tonight and I may not.

Here we have some nice bores.

Only bit of sludge in the engine.

Stuff

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #1 – August 06, 2007, 08:50:30 PM

What will be your technique for porting the heads?

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #2 – August 06, 2007, 08:52:04 PM

Probably follow one of the many online guides out there. Plus I'll call Nick every 20 minutes :) I have an air die grinder, I'll just buy a home porting kit for it.

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #3 – August 06, 2007, 08:59:00 PM

Cool. I forgot if you told me this, but are you putting a T5 behind it?
I'll be excited to see pictures of the progress.

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #4 – August 06, 2007, 09:08:51 PM

is that your basp00get? (noticed the blue chair)

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #5 – August 06, 2007, 09:30:36 PM

Nah thats my garage, thats my garage couch :)

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #6 – August 06, 2007, 11:03:53 PM

Ahh yes....this is bringing back memories for me already. :D

Good luck with the build.

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #7 – August 06, 2007, 11:37:42 PM

I'm getting excited now! I'm not sure what transmission will be backing this yet.

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #8 – August 07, 2007, 05:07:37 PM

Out of curiosity, just an engine swap because you have the engine? Or did the 2.3 go to hell? Nice find on parts. Are you putting a different cam in, or are you just porting the heads, and rebuilding and going HO?

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #9 – August 07, 2007, 05:55:15 PM

$50.00.Awesome.My block also has the "xxx" designation.What does that mean?My friend took the original engine that was in my Sport and it had a "yyy" stamp in it.Those heads need a lot of porting on the exhaust side for sure.Tiny little ports aren't they.Good luck with the project.Keep us posted.

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #10 – August 07, 2007, 06:29:38 PM

If i sell the 83 then this shortblock will see the machine shop. I'll probably pick up a set of GT40/p's to wake it up a bit. The camshaft will be changed to something that suits my needs and plans. When I purchased this car it was purly for parts only, yet arriving to pick it up I was presented with a car in better shape than both my Cougars. It had no motor and the only 2.3 I have has a toast #1 cylinder. Plus I don't want a 2.3, they are cool and all. Blah blah not a turbo coupe anymore.... lol Its a TC, and 5.0 or not it will still be a TC.

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #11 – August 08, 2007, 12:38:55 PM

I just wondered about the background. Finding cars in better than suspected condition is a blessing. Sounds like it should be a nice running car in no time then.

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #12 – August 15, 2007, 11:03:56 PM

This should help, looks much nicer :D

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #13 – August 15, 2007, 11:05:38 PM

So thats what a clean 5.0 block *should* look like.
What all do you have planned for the 5.0 combo parts wise?

TC Chronicles --- Engine Assembly

Reply #14 – August 15, 2007, 11:08:28 PM

Stock.