Smokin more than before the head work

[strat1960s]

If any of you had been following my previous postings here's where I am at. The motor is comming out, again!
I finally accepted the fact that one of a few things happened:
1. I cracked a piston ring.
2. I had a pistong ring that just won't seat.
3. I glazed one or more cylinder wall(s).
4. I did any combination of the above.
Bottom line is that in order to fix it right I'll have to have the motor out of the car. This time, I am just going to drop the money and get it done all at the same time and have the machine shop put the motor back in and time and tune everything for me. I swear if this wasn't my daily driver, I would just play around with the timing and tuning until I found the sweet-spot, but since I don't know near enough about timing and tuning gas engines, I'll leave it to someone that does it daily.
For those of you in Arizona, I still highly recommend King Balancing. The only reason I am not going to them with it this time is that they cannot remove and replace the engine in their shop. I have found a few machine shops that can R&R the motor. For those of you in the market for a motor. I found a shop in Glendale Arizona that sells short and long block 200s. Now I know Ford didn't make a ton of the 200 I6's, but I was really surprised that a 302 long block was cheaper than the 200 I6.
Short / Long
2300cc 71-81 $499 $749
200 6 cyl 65-74 $449 $699
289 V8 63-67 $399 $699
300 I6 65-86 $499 $699
302 V8 68-85 $399 $649
351 W V8 69-84 $449 $749
351 M V8 75-up $549 $749
360 V8 68-76 $499 $799
390 V8 65-76 $499 $799
400 M V8 75-up $549 $749
460 V8 2Y 68-78 $649 $999
460 V8 3Y 79-86 $649 $999
For any of you interested in this shop:

http://www.fivestarengines.com/
Ted

 

[CobraSix]

The other scary part is that for $50 more, you can get the 351 Windsor. I tell you, with those numbers, next time I replace an engine...it's going to be tough to justify to the checking account to get another 6 especially when I could sell off all my existing 6 stuff and pay for a 351 long block with some left over.

I hate you for showing me those numbers...I never look at the price of V-8s...It really makes the dark side stronger.

Slade

 

[strat1960s]

Slade,

I just keep telling myself that I am not ready for the V8. I know that there are tons of things I can do with my I6 before I am ready to go up in cubic inches. I would like to try the paxton out, maybe go with a fuel injection when it becomes available. I want to go in stages. Once I have done all that can be done with the 200 I6, then I'll consider a 289. Once I have done all that can be done with the 289, then, I'll go up to a 302. By that time, I'll be too old to drive......

Ted

 

[wsa111]

Remember, at least with the six you can pass a gas station. if you have a second hot rod great. You can always go the v-8 route.
I like the fuel miliage with the six & the cop's here in south carolina are like vultures. at least with the six you can put the pedal to the medal without bringing the pigs on your bumper with lights flashing.William

 

[jwb68c]

I had the mis-fortune of riding in a 01 GT this weekend and I think I can't wait for 8 much more.

 

[CobraSix]

See...with my aussie head...and the power it provides...I'm heavy on the gas anyways. My "mileage" went from 27 MPG on the highway to 22MPG on the highway. 289s can get 25MPG if you baby them around.

Of course, if I drove it like I has an 1100 still, I could get 26MPG out of the 4V holley, but it is just so much darn fun!

If I go V-8...I'm not going up just a few cubes. the only V-8 that will get put in my car will be a 351. But then again, I'm still trying to sell my wife on the fact I need my own mustang (like a coupe with a 351) or a 67 firebird with a 400. (yes...the mustang is hers...even though I drive it most of the time).

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

Well, V-8 is good for power, I6 for mileage.....I seldom use power in daily driving.

Ford made many, many I6 200 engines from 1964 to 1984. They just don't wear out that much, so shops don't stock a lot of them and the parts cost more than most V-8 parts.

I've always had V-8s in my other cars, but after having this 3.3L I6, my mindset has changed considerably

 

[addo]

Ted, I hope your shop of choice will diagnose the problem before commencing work. It's a shame that the cause hasn't been fully ascertained yet (though we all seem to have arrived at some decent ideas).

As to the "swappers" - think I'll buy an E-Type and put in a real engine. Or maybe a 1952 Bentley and convert to BBC.

 

[ski4evr]

As far as the gas mileage argument for the I6 vs. V8 debate... the best I've gotten in my I6 was 18 mpg highway. I had a '65 coupe with a stock '68 302 in it (2bbl) and I would get 26 mpg on the same highway trip. When I first bought the convertible, I thought to myself the same thing... I'll give up the performance for the convertible and the better gas mileage. Well, I have the convertible, but the mileage is lacking big time.

ski