Engine and Transmission Tech

In case you have a problem with a freshly rebuilt Ford 302 running hot, here's a link to a helpful tip; read the last paragraph titled "All steamed up". There's also some important issues concerning certain components. I hope that you find it helpful......

[www.mustangandfords.com]

Cheers

Great article!

Unless Rob has resolved his engine temperature creep up, I think that this article may be something to check. I once made that mistake while doing a rebuilt on a 1979, F-250 with a 400 M (Cleveland family); I had done everything right except for the steam pocket holes mentioned in the article. The gasket brand that I've used did not give any hints on the proper placement of the head gaskets. The truck would sit in traffic and slowly overheated and finally it cracked the left head, which in a way was a sweet defeat because it brought the problem to an end.

I've got a used head and got it rebuilt at the machine shop; while speaking with the machinist, he stated that he knew exactly what had happened and sold me a sets of new head gasket that clearly pointed to the right position to be installed. Problem solved.

Since I had overhauled many other engines before, it was a humbling experience and a well learned lesson (job done here too.)

Words of wisdom to anyone, no matter how good you may be (or think), is pay attention to the applicable O.E. service manual and talk to friends that did it before; something like the connoisseurs on this forum :)

Cheers