All Small Six Engine identification

[Beers1]

I"m trying to identify an engine in my daughters 1972 Mercury Comet. We bought the car last year and ran it for a little while before noticing that it has started to burn oil. I completed a compression test and the results all came back within 10% of each other at about 120 PSI, so I figured its not the rings. I looked at the plugs and identified where we are having the problem; valves. Since the compression is low and we need to pull the head I figured it would be a good time to rebuild the engine and freshen it up anyway. The previous owner had it for about six years and stated that he didn't know if it had ever been rebuilt. I just want to build it as a reliable little car for my daughter.

The block has the following cast numbers: D8 BE 6015-GE
The head has the following cast numbers: D8 BE 6080 BA
The exhaust manifold has the following cast numbers: C8 DE 9430 A

The information I have found indicates that this would be a 1978 engine, correct? It would appear that the exhaust manifold came off a 66; are they interchangeable?

Any help would be appreciated, and thanks in advance.

Rich

 

[frozenrabbit]

'78 block and head, probably went with a '68 exhaust to get rid of '78 smog junk. Fully interchangeable.

 

[bmbm40]

Nice Comet and D8 head is a good flowing head. I can't remember if the 68 exhaust manifold is the larger outlet one. That is the one you want with a 2" exhaust system all the way back.
Here is a general guideline of what you can do fo a bit more performance:

Classic Inlines Performance Parts - Hopping up an Inline Six

Also I guess you could have a 250 motor? you can tell because the water pump will have 4 bolts.

 

[Beers1]

Thanks for the reply everyone. I never thought about the smog stuff but it makes sense to get rid of it since its in a 1972 vehicle. I checked the water pump after reading your reply and it's a 3 bolt; so 200CI. As for the exhaust, I'm thinking of upgrading the manifold to make it dual pipes all the way back.

I have a few more questions: Can I delete the charcoal reservoir container that connects to the air cleaner? Can anyone recommend a company that would have a new and complete wiring harness with the new fuses?

I'll look into the Classic Inline Performance Parts website to get some ideas. I may also have my daughter start a build thread since this is her project, and hopefully together we can learn a few things along the way with everyones help.

Thanks again,
Rich

 

[powerband]

if hasn't been 'freshened' before, chances are a 'valve job' is needed and will reveal any other concerns.
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common for valve stem seals to be deteriorated - 'Valve job' with new seals or improved Viton type seals - valve guides or stems knurl' , 3 angle valve cuts, etc..
.
advice on mods' to cyl head will probably get posted but simple machining for 'modern' composite gasket is advised.
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... not too many 70's Comet's, pics are always appreciated, interesting it has later D8xx engine.
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hav e fun
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... had a rusted '76 Comet GT parts car - was 200 / C4

 

[TrickSix]

Howdy! Eventually you're going to want to identify which distributor and carburetor are being used on that engine too. It could be either the '72 points style distributor or the '78 electronic one, and either the '72 simple carb or the possibly emissioned up '78. As stated above pics are good, and not just as eye candy.

 

[Beers1]

So i guess I have to figure how to insert pictures because it's just not working for me. Do I have to be a paid subscriber to do this? I just sent some questions in to admin and I am awaiting answers. However, I was able to post a picture on the Avatar.

Anyway, thanks again for the replies and suggestions. I have an electronic style distributor with what appears to be a Motorcraft Ignition Control Module. I was able to pull a few numbers off the carb bowl, 8872 and 0449, to cross reference and I think I have a Holley-1946. As stated in a prior post, I am going to have the engine rebuilt along with the head to include new hardware all around. I am contemplating have the logged to have a two barrel carb installed.

For those Maverick and Comet owners, can I delete the charcoal reservoir/container that connects to the air cleaner? Can anyome recommend a company that would have a new and complete wiring harness with new fuses? I will post these questions to some of the Ford Maverick/Comet Forums as well.

Rich.

 

[Frank]

So i guess I have to figure how to insert pictures because it's just not working for me. Do I have to be a paid subscriber to do this? I just sent some questions in to admin and I am awaiting answers. However, I was able to post a picture on the Avatar.

For those Maverick and Comet owners, can I delete the charcoal reservoir/container that connects to the air cleaner?

Rich.

Rich, you have to have certain # of posts before pics are allowed. Sorry for that.

Yes the canister can be removed. You can't plug the line going to the fuel tank, that's the vent. You can loop the tank line out of sight somewhere, and may consider putting a cheap inline fuel filter in the end to keep debris out of the tank. OR plug the line and drill a small hole in your gas cap. If any vacuum lines are associated with the canister, plug them at the engine.

When the time comes, we can assist with best routing of vacuum lines with the emissions deleted, if you like.

 

[funkaholik]

simple machining for 'modern' composite gasket is advised

This is the first time I've noticed anyone mention that head machining is required to use a composite gasket. I read through the tech archives but somehow I must have missed that detail. Would you share the details or a link that describes what must be done?

 

[Beers1]

So, I guess i'll have to wait to submit some pictures of our project. In the meantime I will continue to ask questions as they come up.

When the time comes, we can assist with best routing of vacuum lines with the emissions deleted, if you like.

Yes, I would be very interested on how to run or delete vacuum lines from both the engine bay and the carburater as the project progresses. My daughter and I will begin the process of removing the hood, fluids, radiator, and engine in the next two weeks. We'll break it down and see what rebuild kit I will have to purchase. I'll have my duaghter take pictures and hopefully we can start a build thread.

Thanks again,
Rich.

 

[frozenrabbit]

This is the first time I've noticed anyone mention that head machining is required to use a composite gasket. I read through the tech archives but somehow I must have missed that detail. Would you share the details or a link that describes what must be done?

It's fairly standard. Depending on the installed compressed thickness of the head gasket(varies by brand), you surface machine the head a few 10 thousandths extra. Mostly I've seen suggested .025" to maybe .05". This is done to bring the compression back up to what the engine would have with a factory steel shim head gasket.