Engine compatibility

[SweetLou27]

Hi guys,

My 80’ F100 seems to have a locked engine. I’ve tried removing the spark plugs and soaking the pistons in kroil with the hope to free them, no luck.( A little context, I was given the truck from my grandfather but just now am getting around to getting it back on the road, it’s been 2 years since it’s ran) As far as a new (used) engine, does anyone know what model year range I would be looking for to be compatible?

Thanks, Lou

[ArdWrknTrk]

Need a little more context here Lou.

How long a wrench did you try turning the engine with?
Do you live in a state like California, where you have to be concerned that everything is 'as built' and all the emissions are functional?

What are your goals for your grandfather's truck?
Daily driver? Immaculate restoration???

1980's have very basic control systems and a somewhat unique wiring harness/gauge cluster.
F 100's have Armstrong steering and non-assisted brakes, correct?
Does it have 3-on-the-tree as well?

[SweetLou27]

I live outside of Philadelphia, PA. I tried turning it with a breaker bar and socket. I already have it registered and insured as antique so don’t have to worry about emissions or inspections. It is not 3 on the tree. Not looking to enter car shows or anything like that, restoring and keeping it mostly original is my goal.

Thanks for the response! - Lou

[ArdWrknTrk]

I was just saying in another thread that I have a bunch of family south and west of Philly.  🤯

What engine is in it now? The venerable 300 or a 302???

We love family hand downs or inherited vehicles here on the forum, and can definitely get you going.

Most of these engines are very similar at their heart, it shouldn't be too difficult.

[Gary Lewis]

Have you tried rocking the crankshaft counterclockwise just a bit and that turning clockwise?  You can't put much pressure on CCW or you'll loosen the crank bolt, but you might get it to shift just enough that you can get it to move a bit CW.  Just "gently" try to work it back and forth.

And yes, we love family trucks.  They are keepers.

As for "outside of Philly", I used to live near Kennett Square.

[SweetLou27]

I’m in Delaware county, probably not far from your family. And Gary, I’m about 20 minutes from Kennet!

It is the 300, I’ll keep spraying the cylinders for a few days and see if I can rock it to get it moving. Motor is original so I would like to repair it rather than replace.

Thanks guys! I’ll report back if I have any luck freeing her up

[ArdWrknTrk]

My sister lived in Swarthmore until she moved to 'Duck Ditch' SC.

I still have nieces and nephews to the south and west of Philly.
You don't say exactly where you're from, but
I have nieces/nephews in Chester, Ridley, Morton, Ardmore and Chestnut Hill.

[SweetLou27]

I’m in Aston, a few minutes from all of those places, small world! Duck Ditch sounds like a cool place lol

[ArdWrknTrk]

That's a euphemism for Goose Creek, where Gary's daughter Holly works, at the regional hospital

[Gary Lewis]

SweetLou27 wrote

I’m in Aston, a few minutes from all of those places, small world! Duck Ditch sounds like a cool place lol

Would you like to be on our map?  You can see it at Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu.

[SweetLou27]

Sure!

[Gary Lewis]

You are on the map.  

[thelastkeg]

My experience with a stuck inline is in a 1968 Chevelle with the 230.  I had let it sit in my garage for a 10 year hibernation (it wasn't intentional, but led me to understand the "running when parked" phrase). My son and I started resurrecting it late last year and found that the engine was locked tight.  I soaked it with PB Blaster and Marvel Mystery Oil for several weeks.  A very long breaker bar still didn't budge it.  But after a lot of persistence with the breaker bar and all my weight, it eventually gave way.  Had to work it back and forth and finally got it to go all the way around.  After I cleaned the carb it started and ran.  It rattled a lot for a minute or two, but it's now running fine and doesn't even smoke.  If it were me, I'd keep trying to free it, because what have you got to lose?  But I know how slow I am since I have too many projects going on at one time, if I pulled the engine out, it'd be a very long time before anything ended up going back in.  

[ArdWrknTrk]

∆∆∆. 100% agreement.  

Keep trying at it, because if it ran when parked (and hasn't been filled with water) then it should run well after it's slumber.

I'm not sure if a 300 oil pump drive is as accessible as the V-8's, but you might try pumping some lube through the whole system.
It's gotta be easier than dry...