[DeTomaso] Engine re-assembly questions for #6143.

[cengles at cox.net]

Dear Dave, 

While fixin' whut's broke, may be the fastest and cheapest short-term way to get back on the road whilst you decide whether to pull the tainted "re-built" engine or replace it with a crate engine, I think that there are enough issues with this engine that make it suspect for anything other than the short term. It is about half dis-assembled now, I would suggest that there may be some economy, albeit unpleasant, in simply biting the bullet and pulling the engine and see what you actually have. I always look on these situations as challenges to improve the engine and performance----after I get over the potential cost. A fellow Pantera went through this exercise recently and found similar multiple "what were they thinking" examples of screw-ups, poor assembly and part selection. While it is now running much better, he discovered that the crank assembly still has stock rods and rod bolts and is destined for the full monty of complete re-build in the near future. Good luck. 

Warmest regards, Chuck Engles 





---- Dave Londry <davel at emspace.com> wrote:
> Well I got the cover off the right bank, and surprise - it looks OK.
> I'll just re-torque it, check the clearances, change the plugs and put
> the cover back on.
>
> The score from the left bank was:
> - top chewed off #8 exhaust-valve stem
> - bent rocker on #8 intake
> - #7 intake had been changed (matches 5 & 6).
> - #8 intake had been changed and has a different face
> http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=15672
> - a little spring from the stem seal (I think) chewed up and hanging
> around the stem (forground)
> http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=15675
> - 1 wrong head-bolt (wrong head & wrong neck)
> plus the crazy install of the valley pan & seals.
>
> So the questions are:
> - Is an off-the shelf exhaust valve going to match the cut of the valve
> seat?
> - Could I check it by bluing the seat?
> - What's the little seal-spring for?
> - Anything special to do in re-assembly beyond painting everything with
> heavyweight oil?
> - Anything special to do in dressing the gaskets?
> - Is it a good idea to get a how-to book, maybe one of Tom Monroe's, in
> addition to the Ford manual?
>
> As you can tell, I'm planning to replace the valve and the lifter, check
> the clearances and put it back too.
> That way I can maybe get some driving in and make a decision about a
> complete teardown/rebuild on this engine
> or going for a replacement.
>
> thanks in advance
> dave
>