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Topic: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0) (Read 9432 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #15 –
One other thought: Do you think it would make any difference to do an oil change beforehand and swap to the thinnest possible oil we can get? (like 5W30, or even 5W20 is available)

I ask because I see there are "flushing oils" meant to be used as a prep for switching from normal oils to synthetics. (because synthetics can often dislodge deposits) Those oils are rated from 0W20 to 0W40. 0W20 is too thin to run the engine on at temperature, but 0W40 can handle it. However, using a flushing oil (even for the recommended 20 minutes and changing oil again to a normal one) may remove deposits that shouldn't be removed. So I'm thinking 5W30/5W20 along the same lines as using a blood thinner on someone with clogged arteries.

I'm thinking about this as an alternative to one of these flushing methods, which I really don't feel comfortable with.

I'll still pick up a PCV valve and a set of fresh plugs.. and I'm thinking of picking up a cheap oil breather filter to stick on the spot off the filler neck where that tube runs to the throttle body. (and plugging the TB end of the tube) If the PCV valve replacement doesn't improve the situation, then I'd throw the breather on there. I know it's sort of redundant under normal conditions.. but these aren't normal conditions.  :shoothead

Maybe I'll just try to get it across the Alley and then have it towed the rest of the way, if I sign up for Allstate Motor Club or AAA tomorrow.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #16 –
OK, I'm going so stir-crazy that I decided to go to the Super Wal-Mart at 2 AM (EDT.. heh.. time change *just* happened) and pick up some parts. Got 5 quarts of Valvoline 5W-30 and a cheap filter, (but may still get some 5W-20 pending an answer on the partial-flush thing above) a drain pan, a PCV valve, a filter wrench, a spare funnel, some hose clamps, (ya never know..) etc. Still need to pick up spark plugs, a gapper, and a spark plug socket tomorrow.. since Wal-Mart only had 6 of the proper plugs. But at least I did SOMETHING.. which helps a little bit. (knocking off every sample bottle of liquor in the house just before bed might help, too.. heh)

Our Wal-Mart had the breathers, but I decided to hold off on getting one.. if our Super Wal-Mart has one, then I'm sure another Super Wal-Mart down there will also have one. I'm hoping to be able to skip that with just changing (or removing) the PCV valve.

I need to get this all figured out by about 3 PM today. (Sunday) Going to see if there's a way a friend and I can get down there right around 7 PM, so we're not waking anyone up trying to get this thing running. If not, I'll have to have it taken care of (possibly with a second nearly 400 mile round trip) Monday somehow.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #17 –
On a side note: Does anyone know if AAA can do monthly billing? Allstate Motor Club said they would.. but they're like $139 a year.. AAA Plus is $90. Plus, with Allstate, you have to pay the tow truck driver up front and file for reimbursp00get. Don't think AAA does the same thing. We used to have Allstate Platinum, but not now.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #18 –
Yep time changed a while ago. My compute quit keeping time a month or so ago. Says 1:25 PM Wed, guess I should just turn the time off, or I could stick a piece of tap on the right corner to cover it up...LOL

If its over full of oil, I'd at least try to drain it down to the add mark and try it again. Also a oil change couldn't hurt, but I'd put some heavier oil in it (20-50 or straight 30). The heavier oil would help ring seal a little(if thats the problem), a open breather cap could possibly help also. As for the PCV I'd try to leave it in place, but the screen under it needs to be checked as it is likely plugged up(very common). If nothing else you could just poke a screwriver down through it(the screen) to get a opening. I can get a picture in the morning if that would help.

How badly is it blowing oil anyway? You could always put a long hose on the filler neck and stick it into a large jug(antifreeze, gallon oil etc.). Then if it blows oil out, you could pour it back in. Mount it up in front of the radiator....

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #19 –
The AAA just has you sign a form for the driver, then later sends you a bill if you are towed farther than the allotment. Their plus program allows for 100 mile free towing, but I doubt they would honor it if you called for a tow immedetaly after signing up.

The time the daughters Mustang quit, it was in Jacksonville. The EX used her AAA to have it towed up to GA where I picked it up.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #20 –
Well, after less than 60 seconds of rough running, it had put enough oil in the throttle body to put a line in the bottom of it from the opening to the throttle butterfly itself after I had wiped it clean previously. Yet, it's not bad enough to the point where the car smokes. Go figure. I actually expected it to smoke and it didn't. Yes, I've thought about the long hose thing.. will probably pick up some tomorrow. Any idea what diameter I should pick up for that little connection off the oil filler neck? And what would be the best way to plug the throttle body end of things? A large screw and a hose clamp into a small section of tube, perhaps? I have two small hose clamps in that little assortment I picked up earlier.

Yeah, the heavier oil thing makes sense if it's the ring(s) problem.. but what if it's the clogged oil drainbacks like both you and a local friend also suspected? Wouldn't the lighter oil like the 5W-30 I just picked up (or even the 5W-20, if I either use that as a flush, or baby the engine on the way back) be better for getting through a restriction?

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #21 –
Oh, and yes, a picture would be helpful. Thanks for all the help.. talking this stuff over now is even more help than the actual information. Between this car thing and other real-life stuff denying me sleep, I'm starting to come a little unglued lately. (yeah, more than usual.. ha) I'm not yet to the putting-my-head-through-a-wall phase, but sometimes it seems like I'm getting there.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #22 –
The intake can be plugged with anything, short piece of hose with a bolt in it would be fine. I believe the line size is prob 3/8" but will double check in the morning. Also I just remembered this.... If it don't smoke like a mofookie when first started after setting over night, then the valve drains probably ain't plugged(oil will seep past the valve stems into the cylinders). Anyway even if they are plugged, oil still gets back to the oil pan through the pushrod openings (after nearly filling the valve cover). I'd still go with the heavier oil.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #23 –
Wouldn't it be likely to smoke while running if the rings are bad? (thought that was brought up in a much earlier post) I don't know either way on that one. I'll have to ask the seller if it smokes when he fires it up in the morning.

Guess it wouldn't be a problem to pick up some heavier stuff on the way there.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #24 –
Heres a way that should tell you if the oil drains are plugged. After the oil drains, SLOWLY pour about half pint of new oil into the filler and watch what runs out(leave the oil plug out for this test, also I'd use a empty pan for this). If you get clean oil akmost immedetaly then they are probably OK. If you get mostly dirty oil they are surely plugged(the clean oil will displace the dirty oil in the VC before running out).

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #25 –
We'll try it.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #26 –
Ok here is the picture of the back of a 5.0 intake(yea thats the top of my foot on the right side LOL). There is a rubber grommet that set in the opening and holds the PCV in place(will pull right out). Under the grommet is a wire mesh screen assembly that gets clogged up with sludge(sorry I don't have one handy). It is the diamater of the hole and approx 1 1/2" thick, you should be able to thread a long sheet metal screw into it and just pull it out. Sometimes they are badly slugded in and you being pressed for time may have to just poke a hole through it with a screwdriver to get it to vent.

The line from the VC to throttlebody is 3/8".... 
 
http://members.pen 15s.net/mr428/PA310156.JPG

EDIT... forgot my 351 Lightning lower still had the complete setup in it...

http://members.pen 15s.net/mr428/PA310157.JPG

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #27 –
A #10x3" wood screw will have to suffice for my screen-puller.. heh.

Time to chug a ton of coffee.. didn't get much sleep again. (other equally annoying reasons)

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #28 –
Awww ..

Going down tonight is a wash. The friend involved has to work late. He won't even get out of work until 7:30, and would need to come back up here (about an hour trip) to take care of some things before going. We wouldn't be able to get down there until close to midnight. I'm not even going to try and work on this car at midnight Sunday with the seller and all his neighbors trying to sleep. This friend is coming over after work tonight so we can sit down and hammer out a final plan for this. We have one new (not thought of before today) option for the possibility of a tow dolly. We're going to follow through on that before trying to drive the car.

One thing to point out about this: We need to be reasonably sure that this car can make it across Alligator Alley if we drive it. Alligator Alley is a toll road, and if the car breaks down and we have to abandon it, they'll tow it immediately and I'll be stuck with over $300 in fines.. (at best) they basically consider it dumping.

Re: Is this even close to right? ('88 5.0)

Reply #29 –
Meh.. Sunday's ruined, now Monday's going down the tubes as well.. unless I get a call very shortly here.