[DeTomaso] Asa Jay's 1985 built 351C Forensics

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/26/10 21 47 45, asajay at asajay.com writes:


> Today I began the forensics on that old engine.  I didn't find any
> severely bent pushrods or toasted lifters.  granted I've not given all
> the parts a close inspection yet.  However, I found something -very-
> interesting when I took the heads off:
> http://www.351c.info/gallery2/v/asajay/1985buildforensic/
> A crapload of carbon build-up on cylinder number 2.  I mean a crapload.
> 
> That's as far as I got tonight.  I'll work on getting the pistons and
> rods out later, then taking a micrometer to everything and reporting on
> my findings.
> 
> What do you think?
> 

The 289 in my Mustang exhibited the same symptoms once, due simply to a 
plug not firing for some reason.   I believe it fired occasionally at best; it 
never idled smoothly.   The fact that it fired *sometimes* made it extremely 
difficult to diagnose.   The motor vibrated enough to break the air cleaner 
hold-down stud flush with the top of the carburetor; it was then suspended 
precariously above the carburetor for unknown miles until the wing nut 
unthreaded itself, and it dropped into the carb, through the #8 intake port and 
became intimate with the piston.   Mad Dog was riding with me at the time--I 
blame him!

When I pulled the engine apart, the damage from the offending air cleaner 
stud was evident in #8, but what was surprising was the carbon buildup (much 
like yours) in an adjacent cylinder.

I rebuilt the engine with the help of Gary Roys, and when equipped with new 
plugs, wires and cap and rotor, the thing ran perfectly.

Mike