Ok rather then make a zillion posts about every problem my car has (at least the one's I've discovered) I thought I would condense them all into one post. The order is from the biggest headache to the littlest nag. Eventually I will have this puppy restored and road worthy (hopefully show worthy as well) but that will take alot of time and $$$$$. I took pics of some of them including the flywheel when I had the starter removed, film is about used up so I will be heading to Rite Aid hopefully within a day or three to develop it onto a Photo CD so I can finally post pics. Not complaining or anything despite all the problems listed below I know it could be alot worse. 1. Flywheel (chipped teeth, needs replacing, big job gonna do the 1st of the year I hope - pulled some more shavings out, starter is in good shape still. Heading to the Junk yard tomorrow hopefully, while there gonna look for a replacement my question on this prob is does the replacement have to be out of a 200 CID engine? I haven't seen any of these in the junk yard attached to manual trannys every one i find has an auto. If all else fails i'll just order it from AutoZone new they aren't really too expensive). ----- 2. Floor Panel (right rear passenger - lots of rust! can see flashlight under car by pulling up carpet. the hole isn't massive but it's big enough - watch that first step). ----- 3. Carburetor (needs adjusting I still can't figure out that dinosaur Carter 1bbl). ---- 4. Possible Valve Job needed - (noticed some oil deposits today on some of the plugs but not all of them #3 - #5 - and #6 cylinders only, the others just look as if the fuel mixture is wrong -see Problem #3). ---- 5. Ignition System (what can I say it sucks after thinkin about it for awhile i've decided to save up and convert to a Pertronix Ignitor with Flamethrower Coil to make full use out of my Bosch Platinum Spark Plugs. If I change the points and condenser and keep the same igniton i'll only have to do the same thing again and again. Timing needs adjusting but i'll worry about that when I get the Pertronix system. Oh well $70 there unless I get lucky and find it cheaper i'd pull a system out of a junker but I don't wanna mess with all that wiring and that clumsy ECM box). ---- 6. Rubbing Noise heard most notably while backing up - (Happens intermittanly i've determined it's not the brakes or the bearings (at least not the front ones I just did those) I'm wondering if this could be a U-Joint?. I don't smell anything burning so I haven't suspected low gear oil in the differential but I will check that to be sure. ---- 7. Trunk Latch (lock cylinder is broke any key or nail file for that matter will open the trunk, haven't found a replacement yet but with all the other problems I haven't really looked. On the upside for now if I ever lock my keys in the car i've always got a way in ). ---- 8. Reverse Lights don't work (doesn't appear to be the bulbs, the only back up light switches i've seen are for auto's - not too much of a headache here unless of course a cop pulls me over then i'll get a fix it ticket ). ---- 9. Shocks - both front and rear (I've noticed latley the rear sags slightly most notably to the left which could explain why one of the tires is badly worn and the other is only moderatley worn - thinkin about a new set of Monroe's here. the Front ones could use a changing too but i've never done suspension work so they will be a challenge for me. But we all have to learn sometime.) As for the two struts the rubber boots on them are stained with grease and cracked and I can tell the previous owner hit a really hard bump cause one of the struts came down real hard and put a small gash in that frame piece where they hook up. ---- 10. Loose Shifter Lever - (i've probably mentioned this before, the shifter has a lot of play in it i've been told there is no way to adjust it and it's probably just worn out, it does make shifting from 2nd to 3rd a bit of a challenge as it's very easy to miss 3rd and wind up back in 1st, also neutral is a pain to get into sometimes. I've got no way to replace this unless I find a junker with one still intact (Manual Tranny Mav's are rare around here) or converting to a floor shifter. ---- I would list the Dim Headlights but I just replaced the Dimmer Switch and that helped a bit Hopefully thats all for now *fingers crossed*
Flywheel-chipped teeth If your flywheel is in good shape otherwise check if the starter ring presses on like the 302's do. You can buy just the toothed starter ring and put it on yourself. I did mine last summer - it was easy.
Unfortunatley mine appears to be integral to the flywheel, seems like alot of things are integral with these 6's. I can't even change the intake manifold without changing the cylinder head, *sigh* oh well thats another matter. I don't really mind having to pull the flywheel I mean even if the ring gear did press on i'd still have to drop the tranny or pull the engine to get to it so it wouldn't make the job any easier. I know i've probably said I would love to keep this I6 and I do because their collectors items IMO they don't make these engines anymore, but if someone dropped a 302 or even a 289 in my lap right now complete with everything it needed to work i'd be the happiest man in the world simply because finding parts for it would be alot easier. I do know someone who can get me a Boss 302 completle block (Pistons, Crankshaft, Camshaft, etc) but i'd have to hunt around for the heads and valve covers as well as all the accessories that it would need. Would probably end up costing me more then it will to get this 6 up and going.
I know what you mean about the I6, my Mav originally came w/ a 200 cid motor. What little hopping up that could be done was very expensive. Less than a year later I was yanking it out to install a 289. I think the 200 ended up in someone's Econoline van. Good luck.
I can't see myself parting with the I6, not saying I don't ever plan to gank it out of the Mav in favor of a V8 but I can't see getting rid of it. It could serve as a backup motor for our Club Wagon should it's 302 ever crap out, or possibly for use in another project car down the road (possibly another Mav or Comet). I do wanna get it fixed up and running real good and it will remain my Mav's engine for awhile but as my learning experience has taught me so far a V8 upgrade is inevitable because it's a major pain to find even the most obvious part that you'd think any auto parts store would have. The unfortunate part is upgrading the engine will require a bit of work for one i'll have to change the motor mounts, and of course new Coil Springs and new shocks (as the list points out I need those anyway, the old springs would probably work but I'd change em just for the fact i'd be adding more weight) I also wanna get the floor panel done (I doubt I can do that job myself) first. Once I get the 6 going problem free I can concentrate on getting a V8 and figuring out what to do where to put the 6 once I do. I still can't tell if the ring gear presses on I still think it's welded on there I won't know til I get the bellhousing and clutch assembly off and start to mess with it, everywhere I go everyone lists just the ring gear for my car and engine so who knows .
Well, to each his own. Personally I'd turn that I-6 into a boat anchor real quick. They're just not worth my time, effort or money. If it's a low mileage engine in good condition, I'd at least sell it. Dollar for dollar, the V-8 performs better and will always sound better...
I dunno mine is pretty loud I mean it rattles the house everytime I manage to crank it over. I've been told it sounds like the roar of a tornado cause of the echo in my garage, but then again when you have a giant rust hole in a broken muffler I suppose even a 4 banger would do that. I agree on the V8 though they will perform better but the main reason i'd consider a V8 upgrade is because the modification possibilities are endless and not that expensive. I6 yer limited on mods and they are a bit pricey so i'm just gonna keep mine stock i'll get a V8 to play with for a hot rod motor later on when I can afford it... Seperate question- I just got done reading an interesting post on fordsix.com regarding Duraspark vs. Pertronix as noted from my original post on this thread i'm plannin an upgrade to a Pertronix Electronic Ignition, hopefully the Ignitor II if I can find one for my engine. Which is better?
