Motor Decision

I would go this rout, get it on the road, then look into a swap and get all your parts together.

 

I did a compression test last night 105, 100, 100, 95, measured front of motor to back

 

no I did not add oil but should have now that you mentioned it. I will have to check that tonight

 

well I pulled the motor last night and started breaking it down. number 4 cyc looks like it broke a ring and chipped the top edge of piston which did a number on the top of piston.
but the walls do not look scored at all. Greg's Engine & Machine in copley Ohio quoted me 300.00 to clean and bore the block. did not think that was a bad deal. so I am going to do a full rebuild on this engine and enjoy it for what it is. any advice or input is always welcome. i would post pictures but have not figured that out yet.

 

No wonder the bearings went south. I'm happy with F-heads, but they are not designed for high rpm. I consider 50mph the top end.

 

well with the 31 inch tires and 3.73 gears at 60 mhp I am only running at 2800 rpm so i didn't think i was being to hard on the motor

 

With that long stroke, piston velocity is really high. this puts a lot of stress on the rod bearings, and I'd guess it makes the rings wear faster.

 

The proof is in the pudding, perhaps - busted rings and worn bearings.

Not to criticize either the F-head or your way of using it. I myself learned this lesson the hard way as kid when I blew up the f-head in my dad's jeep, and I've never forgotten the look on his face.

Early jeeps can suffer from the image of being a "sport" vehicle. In today's world of technology and the higher speeds of today's highways it is very easy to expect too much of a 1930's power plant. The f-head was ideally suited to crawling up a beach during an amphibious assault - but not so much for cruising interstate highways.

I'm glad you will be rebuilding your F-head, and wish you many years great enjoyment with it.

 

Skinnier tires maybe? I know that helped mine with power.

 

I am happy with my 134 but around it is flat. Anyway I had to go up the local castel road, very hard, and in 2nd gear hop no problem full speed ...and noise.
It is a good engine and you can repair it.
then as said you can look for a good v6 and change and sell you 4 cyl.

 

Yep! They are truly classic cars. And becoming more difficult to maintain the originality. I have a 65 with 134. An overdrive is a very interesting addition. 11" front drums so there is a chance of stopping. But you have to do what floats your boat.

 

Well when you do, load them all up. I wanted to see the number 4 piston especially.

 

this is what Cyl 3 and 4 looked liked

 

I drove the snot out of my F4.
T90, 5:38s, overdrive, 1100-15 flotation tires.
Colorado and back twice.
Probably put 20,000 miles over 9-10 years.
The weekend before the V6 went in, went to Pismo Beach.
Tried to blow it up in the big dunes; couldn't.
It would easily turn over 4000 rpm in the dunes.
F4 not as fragile as some would say.
Sold it later for $100 in 1983.

 

Well I have the motor taken apart and started ordering parts. Will be dropping the block off at the shop next week to get cleaned and bored. anyone have a good suggestion for the rear seal at to which to buy and how to install so as it seal properly. That one that was on here leaked pretty bad.