1989 Ford Engine problems

Mr.D · 09-08-2008, 08:04 PM

So my trusty 1989 ford f 150custom (note the custom. back in the day it was the poop! LOL) takes a POOP. The intake gasket gives and shoots water every were.
I towed it to a shop (a old friend) and he says I can do the minin or do a lot.
So I said why not. Do the intake gasket, head gasket, machine the heads, and valve cover gaskets. And while you got it apart why not look in to how much a bigger cam is. and service the tranny for me.

Keep in mind my paint is completely perfect (full paint a few years back and I'm in the truck peanuts). So I figure if I put money in to it why not the motor and keep it another few years.

What should I have done? WHY? and what kinds of cost am I looking at?

What would a normal joe blow shop charge to do the intake, manifold, machine the heads?

This guy is at 780 for parts and labor.

Any opinions? I know you mechanics all know about these old 302's/

BTW its a 302 2wd automatic and I need to tow a boat with it this coming year. But I also want it to move when needed and also need some kind of MPG.

Any advice is great./

Thanks!

doug 351 · 09-08-2008, 08:12 PM

Seems a bit steep to me for a "friend deal". Doesn't seem too high for a joe blow shop, it really depends on how much machine work is needed and how much it costs in your area. You haven't mentioned $200 worth of parts yet excepting the cam which can vary all over the place.

Mr.D · 09-08-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug 351

Seems a bit steep to me for a "friend deal". Doesn't seem too high for a joe blow shop, it really depends on how much machine work is needed and how much it costs in your area. You haven't mentioned $200 worth of parts yet excepting the cam which can vary all over the place.

I aint his best friend and he has to eat too so I aint gonna bust his balls over the price as long as it runs right.
Yea he said for a good cam is about another 250.
But yes I thought it was high. Thats why I asked.

theoldwizard · 09-09-2008, 07:11 AM

I does seem a bit high. Machining the heads and a complete valve job (that is included, right ?) is $300-400 ???? Gasket are $100-150 ???? The rest is labor.

If you are going to change the cam you really should change the lifters (they take a set), so get a roller lifter cam and of course roller lifters. The $250 does not include the labor.

doug 351 · 09-09-2008, 07:17 AM

I think it ought to include the bottom end for that or just a little more, but like I said, it all depends on the machine work. Since you are going this far, you really ought to include the bottom end , it will run with leaking valves and leaking vale stems, but not with a thrown rod or spun bearings. You should have started with the complete rebuild price and then backed out from there. The labor would go up because he'd have to pull the motor, but it isn't that much harder than working on everything in the engine bay. A complete master rebuild kit is only around $350-$400, which includes new pistons. If you haven't done so, I'd talk to him about it now. Also, I would rather put the money in the bottom end. You can get a decent cam for about $60-$75, you just have to know where to look, and what to buy.

doug 351 · 09-09-2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

.

If you are going to change the cam you really should change the lifters (they take a set), so get a roller lifter cam and of course roller lifters. The $250 does not include the labor.

OOPS- I keep forgetting that 302's went to rollers much sooner than 351W's, you can forget about the $60-$75 for the cam. Theoldwizard:If the rollers are in good shape, why would you change them? It's not like flat tappets that wear to the cam.