Filled POS with fuel yesterday and fired it up, had the nose tilted up so I could check for any fuel leaks (no leaks) and heard a fairly loud rumbling, knocking deep in the lower end. I figured no biggie, probably knocked out #3 and #7 rod bearings again so I pulled her up in the driveway and dropped the oil so the block could drain down overnight. The bucket I drained the oil into was dirty so I didn't notice anything in the oil. (note to self... always drain oil into a CLEAN container ). I got home from work today and pulled the pan figuring on changing a couple bearings. I handed the pan out from under POS and handed it to my Son and he said " hey geezer, it doesn't look good, there's pieces of piston in there". I crawled out and took a look and sure as shit stinks there was some piston skirt in there. I had "The Boy" bar the engine over while I looked up inside with a flashlight and my worst fears were confirmed. #7 piston is broken and the cyl. wall is pretty scored up. Needless to say that is why it ran like a TURD on the 12th. At least it didn't completely let go and ruin one of the Aluminum heads. Also #3 & #7 rod bearings were SHOT.
Anybody out there got a FE I can borrow ? Sean can I borrow you're FE for 5 pulls ? I'll pay shipping !! LOL. I think i'll have a bunch of GOOD FE parts for sale real soon. Really !! I think it's time to drag one of the 460s out and start buildin' a Real Motor .

Are you gonna have the 460 going for the end of the schedule this year, or wait until next season to pull again?

A.........

Hey Geezer (lol) I am real sorry to hear that. But yea you really need to build a 460. If'n you do make sure to get a 429 crank out of of a med. duty truck as they are forged from the factory. Or see if you can get an aftermarket offset ground crank.

Alan

I have a 390 with forged flat tops I would sell you

POS, I have a steel 427 crank fresh out of the shop ready to go and a set of mickey thompson aluminum rods that I will part with. Maybe this could help you get by while you work on your so called "real" motor.

Hate to hear about your misfortune. I think that is one of every truck pullers fears. We can fix the driveline pretty easy but unless you are Dan the engine is another story.\
Are you going to try patching it up to finish the year or just sit it out and start on the 460 ????

Dave, How much for the 390 ? Is it complete or just a shortblock ? Where are you located ?
I have a pos 360 and a good set of iron heads (and a couple of Mexicans) in the POS Cave. I'm thinkin' maybe throw it together with the cam & lifters from the ol'396, advance the cam a tad to keep what little compression there is (Dynamic)and run the piss out of it. If it blows up it blows up, if not just keep on pullin'. I was thinking like Frosty & Digger last night, you know, get out of pullin', but I'm gonna stick with it. After all, it's only money. LOL

I am in Central Minnesota the motor is complete in a truck right now it was my back up for when I was running a FE and now I am putting my 460 back together after the lower end shelled out after the second run