cknox121's slow build

Morgan@Midwest Diesel & Auto · Dec 30, 2013

In the grand scheme of things, pistons are cheap compared to tearing the engine back out later and possibly ruining a block.

forcefed6.4ford · Dec 31, 2013

bigrpowr said:
2 stock fuel motors and one with 110's . all with bigger turbos.

Mike is our resident stress tester.

B585Ford · Dec 31, 2013

Sledpull said:
In the grand scheme of things, pistons are cheap compared to tearing the engine back out later and possibly ruining a block.

Well, what is a man to do...I popped a HG a few yrs ago...that was a little before all the cracked piston threads and a good bit before all the cracked block threads. I have stock pistons, ARPs, and a good seal on my HGs. I hate the thoughts of removing the heads to do pistons because then I run the risk that this time, the block would crack. Recommendation? Don't worry...even if I don't tear it down now, I will be buying pistons from you before the engine gets torn down cause I like to get my stock pile of parts one at a time as I can afford them until I can afford to tear it down.

2good2Btru · Dec 31, 2013

B585Ford said:
Well, what is a man to do...I popped a HG a few yrs ago...that was a little before all the cracked piston threads and a good bit before all the cracked block threads. I have stock pistons, ARPs, and a good seal on my HGs. I hate the thoughts of removing the heads to do pistons because then I run the risk that this time, the block would crack. Recommendation? Don't worry...even if I don't tear it down now, I will be buying pistons from you before the engine gets torn down cause I like to get my stock pile of parts one at a time as I can afford them until I can afford to tear it down.

What is this about possibly cracking the block?

B585Ford · Dec 31, 2013

2good2Btru said:
What is this about possibly cracking the block?

IIRC in the valley around cylinder 2, some blocks are weak and when doing studs (or doing studs again), the block cracks. Obviously, over-torquing the studs increases the risk but for the most part, it seems random (no block number, models, or installers, etc.) seem to be a common denominator as to who the lucky person is who's block cracks. Usually after being all put back together it is discovered shortly after because coolant winds up in the oil.

Riverside · Dec 31, 2013

2good2Btru said:
What is this about possibly cracking the block?

http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32803

This is a build thread with an example (nightmare of an example)
Craked block.
Thread is pretty good size, i would guess start reading about half way for the cracked block part.

blk350on20s · Dec 31, 2013

IIRC his torque wrench was out of spec and could have been the cause.

webb06 · Dec 31, 2013

blk350on20s said:
IIRC his torque wrench was out of spec and could have been the cause.

Yep 100% truth. Check your torque wrenches fellas!

6.4 Stroker · Dec 31, 2013

I've torqued my block 3 different times with different studs/brands no problems yet. (knock on wood)

blk350on20s · Dec 31, 2013

6.4 Stroker said:
I've torqued my block 3 different times with different studs/brands no problems yet. (knock on wood)

I'd go find a big red wood after that comment lol

webb06 · Dec 31, 2013

blk350on20s said:
I'd go find a big red wood after that comment lol

I was thinking that too haha!!!

6.4 Stroker · Dec 31, 2013

blk350on20s said:
I'd go find a big red wood after that comment lol

No faith? haha

Morgan@Midwest Diesel & Auto · Dec 31, 2013

B585Ford said:
Well, what is a man to do...I popped a HG a few yrs ago...that was a little before all the cracked piston threads and a good bit before all the cracked block threads. I have stock pistons, ARPs, and a good seal on my HGs. I hate the thoughts of removing the heads to do pistons because then I run the risk that this time, the block would crack. Recommendation? Don't worry...even if I don't tear it down now, I will be buying pistons from you before the engine gets torn down cause I like to get my stock pile of parts one at a time as I can afford them until I can afford to tear it down.

Here's what I tell people.

If your going to have the cab off and engine apart at all, that would be the time to do pistons. Doing it again later will only cost more.

If your situation doesn't allow it then inspect them and hope they last. You don't have to go run and tear down your engine. But be aware that it could happen.

Don't worry about cracked blocks. Generally, they don't crack unless something was not done right IMO.

B585Ford · Dec 31, 2013

6.4 Stroker said:
I've torqued my block 3 different times with different studs/brands no problems yet. (knock on wood)

Thanks. That is comforting.

B585Ford · Dec 31, 2013

Sledpull said:
Here's what I tell people.

If your going to have the cab off and engine apart at all, that would be the time to do pistons. Doing it again later will only cost more.

If your situation doesn't allow it then inspect them and hope they last. You don't have to go run and tear down your engine. But be aware that it could happen.

Don't worry about cracked blocks. Generally, they don't crack unless something was not done right IMO.

Thanks. My engine doesn't torn down right now so I will just hold on the pistons for now and hope they continue to hold. I reckon when I throw fuel at it, I will do the pistons then.

swinky · Dec 31, 2013

forcefed6.4ford said:
Mike is our resident stress tester.

Lmfao

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Cknox121 · Jan 4, 2014

Sledpull said:
Here's what I tell people.

If your going to have the cab off and engine apart at all, that would be the time to do pistons. Doing it again later will only cost more.

If your situation doesn't allow it then inspect them and hope they last. You don't have to go run and tear down your engine. But be aware that it could happen.

Don't worry about cracked blocks. Generally, they don't crack unless something was not done right IMO.