Reply to "UK GT5 Full engine rebuild - 351 Cleveland aiming for 400bhp"

ENGINE STRIPDOWN AND REPORT

Wren took the engine and gearbox out of the car yesterday and we're now discovering a whole raft of reasons as to why the engine wasn't running properly. Some of these so called 'performance parts' weren't in existence or very poorly installed. Do excuse my sometimes lack of knowledge but I am very pleased to have the expertise online here and at Wren.


In terms of specification of the engine as is, we have:

Engine block Ford 1972
Crankshaft 351 Boss 1971
Cylinder Heads Early Boss 4V
Camshaft Comp Cams 32-225-4 (06296) as new cond'
Push rods 8.402-5”
Inlet valve 2 3/16” diameter
Exhaust valve 1 45/64 diameter
Crank end float 13” thou


We also have measurements and tests on valve lift and compression:

Camshaft lift Exhaust 307"
Inlet 305"
Valve compression Exhaust 352"
Inlet 468"
Valve to piston clearance Exhaust 388 degrees at top dead centre
Inlet 304 degrees



ENGINE REPORT


Clutch cover has been fouling gearbox adapter plate.
Clutch assembly very basic and agricultural.
Starter ring gear very worn and damaged from starter.
Cam timing out of alignment.
All pistons show signs of contact with cylinder head face, witness marks on both head. Piston faces, pistons also show signs of engine hasn’t been running on all 8 cylinders (cam!).
No 5 cylinder, big end cap wrong way round.
All bores at +30.
Crank bearing in very poor condition for limited miles engine has run, all shells damaged and consistent with poor assembly and preparation practices.
Crankshaft on +20 mains and big ends.
Conrod journals show signs of being stretched.
Witness marks on rear shells from movement and pistons fouling heads.
Edelbrock timing gears fitted, but have been modified to fit into crankshaft. Advise good chain and sprocket replacement.
Hydraulic lifter in as new condition, don’t know as yet if suitable for present cam.
Crankshaft shows signs of assembly damage on some journals and oil ways not dressed! Offering sharp edges to shell bearings, copper showing.

CONCLUSIONS

Crank would go again but would require dressing and attention.
Engine block sound, but would need further checks to block height, due to pistons extending out of bores.
Pistons ok, all have scoring on skirts, these could be faced to overcome protrusion.
Conrods are scrap.
Valve gear springs etc – replace.
Camshaft chain and sprocket required.
Hydraulic lifters ok.