New engine for my F-600 Dump Truck

[EddieWalker]

After about 30 loads of dirt, it stoped moving. I had just finished loading it and my dad said it wont go anywhere. The driveshaft looked good, but for me to take a look under it while he put it in gear. Right off, I noticed the rear axle. This has leaked since day one, and two gaskets later, it still leakes. It's one of those things that I've been meaning to get to, but since it works, but makes a mess, I let it go. Now I have to deal with it.

Anybody know anything about rear axles?

Eddie

 

[Wayne County Hose]

The bolts are missing. The axle splines slide into the spider gears which are inside the carrier which is bolted to the ring gear which the pinion gear turns, and that's bolted to the drive shaft. Follow me? Put the truck in neutral, first block a tire so it won't move, wiggle/slide the axle back into the carrier, put some bolts in, and drive it to your garage. To get the axle splines back in, you will probably have to push down on the axle flange to raise the shaft up to where it needs to go. You probably have a broken bolt and maybe a stripped one or two. The axle is what turns the brake drum, that's why no movement. You can steal some bolts from the other side to get you home.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

How would you like this front bumper for your Ford?

 

[Eagleview]

Do'nt make the mistake of using silicone instead of a gasket on the axle flange . A gasket on an axle not only seals it but also acts like a clutch plate to transmit the drive from the axle flange to the hub . When the oil gets between the flange and the hub it looses the friction component and applies all the torque to the studs which breaks/loosens them . If you can imagine how a pressure plate forces the clutch disc against a flywheel to make it grip , this is how the studs force the flange and gasket against the hub face to make it grip . Using the Silicone does the same thing as the oil , (looses the friction component) .

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately, things just got worse.

There is no oil in the engine and the spark plugs are covered in oil. I basically accomplished nothing.

I am now conviced that I sanded the engine. There is nothing else that makes any sense. All 8 pistons don't have oil control rings.

I'm guessing that we worked about 6 hours before losing the axle. Half of that time, the engine wasn't even running. Three hours of running the engine and I can't find any oil on the dipstick after putting in 9 quarts.

I was told today that the smoke issue is not from the engine, but from the oil in the muffler. When the muffler is hot, it smokes, if it's not hot, it won't smoke. This makes sense as to what we're seeing.

There are not leaks that I can find, there is nothing else that explains the symptoms. I got dirt into the engine and it sanded out the oil control rings to the point they do not work. Then oil is going past the compression rings, but still giving me a good compression reading. Then it is burned in the cylinder and goes out the exhause valve. This also explains why the valve guides failed so quickly. Super fine sand or silt in the oil wore out the valve guides.

It all makes sense and explains all my problems. Of course, the solution is a total engine rebuild two years after the last rebuild.

After I finish beating my skull against the wall, I'll start pulling the engine.

Eddie

 

[Eagleview]

How much oil did you put into that engine ? It should only have around a 5 or 6 quart sump . Is the dipstick stock length ? I would find out how much oil it is supposed to have and mark the dipstick accordingly or get one that is the correct length . If the engine has to much oil in it , it will cause your symptoms as the crankshaft is swimming in oil and throwing it onto the cylinder walls . No oil ring ever made could control that amount of oil . If you want to test this drain the oil and only put 5 or 6 quarts back in and work the truck , if it clears up you have found your problem .

 

[EddieWalker]

It's a 370 or 6.1 big block gas engine. The manual says that it takes 9 quarts. There are some things on it that are not on normal gas engines like the twin themostats. From what I'm told, it has allot of torque and low end power that comparable sized gas engines do not. I'm just wondering if a 460 would bolt in there in it's place?

Eddie

 

[Eagleview]

I'm sorry , i was editing while you were posting . I find it strange that you said that after adding 9 quarts of oil you could not see it on the dipstick .

On edit , i now see i read what you said wrong .

 

[SimS]

Eddie;

Sorry to hear about the problems you're still having. I thought maybe you had the solution with the valve guides but now it looks like it maybe "sanded". Anyway, I'm pretty sure the 370 belongs to the same "Lima/385" engine family as the 460 and that the 460 should bolt up. Good luck.

SimS

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Eddie, you may have to swap oil pans or intake manifolds, but a 460 should bolt up. Just make sure you get one with the hole drilled in the crank for the pilot bearing or you will be changing clutches faster than oil.