Need Advice on a Ford 302

"Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen" (sportwagen)
02/01/2015 at 14:39 • Filed to: None

I might be fixing my grandpa's 1989 Ford Mustang GT 5spd this summer (or earlier!)... but first I need to know what's wrong with the engine.

The rear of each valve cover (by cylinders 7&8, it's on both sides) is covered with oil/soot and I'm not sure what's wrong. My grandpa thinks it's the piston rings, but I think otherwise.

I have my sneaking suspicion that the engine either dropped the valves for those cylinders or the injectors aren't injecting fuel into the cylinder... or worse yet the valve springs or rocker arms are broken. I don't know yet though and I know nothing about the 302 besides that it has a timing chain and is pretty reliable (usually). Could anyone help me with this?

DISCUSSION (29)

 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 14:41

Does the engine run? 302s are pretty reliable so it could be a simple case of a bad valve cover gaskets.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen >
02/01/2015 at 14:43

Yes it runs, but it smokes out the tailpipes and it idles somewhat rough (IIRC, the last time I started it was 2.5 years ago)

IDK if cylinders 7/8 are firing or even getting fuel though :( I might have to pull the spark plugs tomorrow...

Jake, Yes, wearing khakis > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 14:44

Just oil or both oil and soot?
Does the engine run at all, run rough or underpowered?
Could be as simple as leaky valve covers, most likely has cork gaskets which do breakdown overtime.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Jake, Yes, wearing khakis
02/01/2015 at 14:46

Can't remember, want to say oil though.

Runs rough, never drove it. It can move under it's own power though.

Maybe it's the valve cover gaskets rather than the heads themselves :/

 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 14:48

How does the oil look? Ant milky residue? Could be blown head gasket.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen >
02/01/2015 at 14:50

IDK all I did was start it up and let it run for 10 minutes or so...

It might be a head gasket or something. As far as I know everything on is all original. It was also parked for around 10 years though... so I have no idea :(

I might stop by and take some pictures of it tomorrow if would help

Jake, Yes, wearing khakis > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 14:50

Thing to check is does it smoke under acceleration or only during idle. Could be bad valve guides in the heads.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Jake, Yes, wearing khakis
02/01/2015 at 14:51

I will have to get my grandpa to get a battery (or rig the other battery up and charge it) to start it. I'll probably take some pictures tomorrow.

 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 15:09

Pull the dipstick and look at the oil.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 15:10

What color is the smoke? And when were the spark plugs last changed? That could help the rough idle. If that's the issue that is...

Party-vi > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 15:10

Have you checked the valve covers or vacuum lines for leaks? That would be the first place I look.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
02/01/2015 at 15:11

Was gray/light blue. I have absolutely no idea other than it was probably like 12-15 years ago (car was sitting for 12 years).

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Party-vi
02/01/2015 at 15:11

No, probably should

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen >
02/01/2015 at 15:12

If I get to the car I will

Party-vi > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 15:14

If it's blowing soot/oil out the valve covers it may be a crank case ventilation issue. Maybe it needs a new PCV valve.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Party-vi
02/01/2015 at 15:18

Maybe. Maybe it's just got a bad valve cover gasket? I honestly have no idea

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 15:20

Blue usually indicates the engine is burning oil. A blown head gasket is usually white. I'm not sure what the gray would show however. Oil burning though could be something simple like a PCV valve or piston rings.

If the car has been sitting for awhile I would add spark plugs to your list of things to change. It could help the rough idle.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
02/01/2015 at 15:26

How would I change the piston rings?

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 15:32

That's more of a professional job. I think I would leave something like that to a mechanic. But I'm sure there's plenty of guides online if you wanted to attempt something like that yourself.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
02/01/2015 at 15:36

I'm think it would involve at the very least popping off the heads... so either doing in a very tight space or pulling the whole motor. :(

This is going to be fun! /sarc

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 15:51

Yes it will be fun!

Good luck, it'll be a project. Take some pictures though and let us know how it goes.

By the way, the oil and soot by the valve over could just be bad valve cover gaskets. I had that with my car.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
02/01/2015 at 15:54

Jay Lauer says to just replace the engine... so 5.0 out of an 01 Mountaineer! There is one for sale for $300 at a local salvage yard... with GT40P heads and such :P

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 19:33

That's what I was thinking. It just seemed like to much trouble. But 300 is a really good price, if it's in good shape I would definitely snatch it up quick. Even if you don't plan to install it for awhile.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
02/01/2015 at 19:46

Well... I've been thinking about it for a while.

My neighbor has a shop and builds drag cars. He has what looks to be a 70s Ford 351W block and accessories laying around. I might see if I could snatch those up and just swap that in for around the same price as the 5.0. He'd probably give it to me for free ;)

I'd just need to get the oil pan and sump ($150) and heads (although the ones he has might work) and possibly a cam and lifters. I will also have to get headers and possibly an intake manifold

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 19:54

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!! That would be awesome.

While you're looking at those parts, I would see if there are any upgrades. Because why not?

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
02/01/2015 at 19:56

Heads, cam, intake...

If I had money to spend... 427 stroker :D

Right now it's still just dreams though :(

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 19:57

Well, assuming you got the engine, the heads, cam and intake aren't to much of a stretch. As long as the engine can handle the power.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
02/01/2015 at 19:59

Oh yeah they can handle the power... people have pushed them all the way to 750hp (or higher) with stock internals (besides H/C/I)

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen
02/01/2015 at 20:47

Just more reasons to do it!