Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand it got worse.

"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv)
12/12/2019 at 21:53 • Filed to: None

We predicted that the reason the engine in my Thunderbird has low compression in at least one of the cylinders was just that one of the valves was burnt. We were wrong. Oh, the valve’s roasted a l right, but there’s more. A worrying amount of air blew past the piston and into the crankcase in our tests, indicating that that cylinder is way more royally screwed than I thought. I’m hoping that when I remove the cylinder head to see how bad the problem is, the problem will be something I can hope to fix myself, but if not... The idea of an engine swap sounds pretty appealing right now. And, of course, this still doesn’t explain why the car stalls when I turn right, so that mystery still remains.

DISCUSSION (21)

wafflesnfalafel > Jim Spanfeller
12/12/2019 at 21:59

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-M50C

someassemblyrequired > wafflesnfalafel
12/12/2019 at 22:02

Or you could be ironic and swap in the 4-cyl Ecoboost...

My bird IS the word > Jim Spanfeller
12/12/2019 at 22:12

TBH if the engine is toast a bluprint crate is way more cost effective than a rebuild.

Jim Spanfeller > wafflesnfalafel
12/12/2019 at 22:30

HOLY MOTHER , I WISH! Yeah, there’s no way I can afford that, and it would obliterate my stock 3-speed slushbox, but that would sure be fun.

Jim Spanfeller > someassemblyrequired
12/12/2019 at 22:32

I thought about doing the Ecoboost v6, since it honestly seems like it would be fantastic for my kind of application. But I think if there’s a way to save the original engine, I’ll probably go with that.

NKato > Jim Spanfeller
12/12/2019 at 22:44

Stalling on a turn suggests a weak ass fuel pump that’s so limp dicked, it can’t handle a stiff breeze.

someassemblyrequired > Jim Spanfeller
12/12/2019 at 22:46

Yeah, hopefully it’s just a ring gone.

WilliamsSW > Jim Spanfeller
12/12/2019 at 23:14

Sooo , 427 SOHC swap?

That sucks. Hope the fix doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Good luck.

Jim Spanfeller > NKato
12/12/2019 at 23:36

It’s certainly a possibility, though the fuel pump is brand new, so that would be weird.

Jim Spanfeller > someassemblyrequired
12/12/2019 at 23:38

Yeah, a ring would be unpleasant but probably the best case scenario. A hole in the piston would suck, but can still be fixed. I don’t even want to think about the other possibility...

Jim Spanfeller > WilliamsSW
12/12/2019 at 23:42

I have often daydreamed about 427 swapping my Thunderbird. That would be epic. But yeah, I hope I can afford to fix this engine or at least find a decent one within my price range to replace it with. This car is still my dream car, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it on the road, but wow is it going to cost me.

someassemblyrequired > Jim Spanfeller
12/12/2019 at 23:49

Yeah luckily lots of FE parts around and good swap options , so there’s a viable path to a solution no matter how bad things get.

NKato > Jim Spanfeller
12/12/2019 at 23:50

Clogged fuel rails, bad fuel filter, anything that reduces fluid pressure in the system. Is the car carbed or FI?

Jim Spanfeller > NKato
12/12/2019 at 23:55

It’s a carburetor. Still, even if the pump is weak, I’d think the fuel in the carburetor would keep the engine running for a while.

NKato > Jim Spanfeller
12/13/2019 at 00:02

Since it only happens while turning right , take a look at anything that can be affected by gravity.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Jim Spanfeller
12/13/2019 at 02:03

Kinja'd!!!

Been there, done that.
It was so bad the compression going into the crankcase blew oil vapes all over the place. This 235 then became a 242

diplodicus forgot his password > Jim Spanfeller
12/13/2019 at 08:17

Out of curiosity have you put a boroscope in the cylinders?

Jim Spanfeller > NKato
12/13/2019 at 08:40

I have. I haven’t found anything yet, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout while fixing these other problems.

Jim Spanfeller > diplodicus forgot his password
12/13/2019 at 08:41

Not yet, but I will.

DirtyDodge > Jim Spanfeller
12/13/2019 at 12:20

carb could be dirty or have a stuck float. just be sure if you take your carb apart and spray carb cleaner in the jets, you are wearing safety glasses and not looking directly where the carb cleaner comes shooting back out. carb cleaner to the eyes is not as fun as it sounds.

Jim Spanfeller > DirtyDodge
12/13/2019 at 12:35

Darn. I thought carb cleaner to the eyes sounded like loads of fun. I guess that dream will have to die...

On a serious note, though, thanks for the advice!