Crossposted from the new members section: "Hey everyone, happy and proud new owner of a 72 base model Comet with recently redone interior and a 3 speed on the floor. Found the head gasket was leaking oil from the rear of the gasket, so I'll be doing a full rebuild this weekend. Anyone done this before? Any tips, tricks, or gotchas? I've rebuilt a modern fuel injected w3800 Series III engine, so I know what I'm getting into for at least everything in the teardown and up to the timing." So, a little more on the car, everything in it is stock. Seem to have a valve issue as well as the leak due to unsteady vacuum. This is the first distributor/carb equipped vehicle I've worked on, and she ran REALLY rich before I leaned out the mix on the carb all the way. This lead to the vacuum test and discovering the valve issue. With all of that, and the motor 50 odd years old with no major work, I felt it was time to simply do a rebuild. I'll be doing a stock sized rebuild, no boring or changing of anything (if I can help it) as I'd like to really learn the motor and car in it's base form. Additionally, with everything being matching numbers, I'd rather keep what collector value it has. There's plenty of good information here and on YouTube on running teardowns and rebuilds on these 200 and on 250 motors, right now I have only a few things I have questions about: - Torque specs throughout the motor. See some places say head bolts are 55, 65, then 75, and some say 85 for the last step. -Timing when putting the motor back together. So far, not a lot of clear info. - Lastly, the priming and break in sequence. I know I have to prime the oil pump, what else is involved? And as I understand it, the break in is 2K RPM for 20 minutes, is that accurate? Thanks again for input, happy to be part of the Comet owners' community.
these cars have no... numbers match...value. nice thing with these cars is you can do what you want to them. my opinion resto mod is where the value is.
before getting too far, check the rear of the Valve Cover for leaks , it;s easy to confuse with head gasket on these engines. (ask me how I know!) also check out the info over at Fordsix.com https://fordsix.com/ those guys eat, drink and sh#$ - Ford sixe info both small block 200/250's and the big block 240/300;s... . true enuff' no real "numbers matching" value on these cars except for real Ford wonks' my '61 Comet has most of drivetrain and suspension from a 170 equipped '71 Maverick except for 250 from a Granada. . . my '74 Maverick with OEM 250 3OTT, has a front clip from a 'parts' 76 Comet and ' a few other mods...' , . have fun
Agreed, a head gasket all but never leaks oil. I once pulled transmission in a V6 Muskrat II looking for a leaking oil galley plug. Yup valve cover gasket(I'd already replaced valve cover gaskets, unfortunately one cover was warped). In the shop manual Ford gives the specs as you listed, 85Ft Lb is probably a step for boosted engines. For timing, before disassembly set engine to TDC, take pictures of where rotor sets AND clocking of dist. I have block/intake manifold and dist housing punch marked on all of mine. Could put it back together blindfolded. Break in is generally as you described, unless you replace cam & lifters not really a issue. It's your car, if rebuilding orig engine is what you want, just do it. It's getting hard to find all the little bits, pieces and trinkets to convert one from 6 to 8 cyl.
Just a quick update. Thanks to everyone for all the info. I decided to take a week instead of a weekend as I wanted to paint the block and pan/valve cover. The leak was indeed from the valve cover, but every valve seal under the cover had disintegrated and thus, I was in for a valve job at least. There was also quite a bit of carbon build up. So, I went ahead with the rest of the seals and bearings. Still, it's clear that it was a 32,000 mile engine, as sold. She's sitting on the stand right now waiting for a buddy to help me pop the motor back in. Pulled without trans, so I prolly need a clutch alignment tool. Powerband, nice cars!
great to hear your 'progress', I've been working on my Comet for @ 15 years and the Maverick for almost ten and I'm already half done ... Have fun have happy holiday etc :
