Frozen ‘81 351W

[huddywayne]

Working on the ranch truck this summer, and the 351W is frozen. I’ve tested and confirmed that the battery, solenoid, starter and all associated cables are good.

Then, I tried starting with the key and have a loud clunk. Bridging the positive cable to the solenoid with a screwdriver yields the same results.

Next, I pulled all spark plugs and filled the cylinders with ATF on Saturday. Attached a 15/16” socket with breaker bar to the crank pulley with no movement. On Tuesday, filled cylinders again with ATF and tried both the starter and breaker bar. No positive results.

Anybody have any other tips or tricks for freeing the engine up without tearing it completely down? I’ve checked down the carb and there is rust, I assume from rain water trickling down through the air cleaner stud.

E3127B06-5A40-4AB2-90A5-E11DC457CDFE.jpeg

[Gary Lewis]

Welcome to the forum!  Glad you joined.

What part of Texas?  I ask because we have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and we can add you with a city or zip.

On the engine, I wouldn't try with the starter.  I'd use the socket on the crank bolt and rock it back and forth a bit.  And keep adding ATF to it.

[grumpin]

Welcome!

[huddywayne]

Thanks - I’m in New Braunfels. How long should I expect to keep at it until I need to wave the white flag?

[Gary Lewis]

You are now on the map, although I hope you put your swimsuit on.    (Might have gone down that river a few times on a tube.)

As for the engine, lets see what suggestions others have before you waive that flag.

[huddywayne]

Absolutely, it’s a great town if you’re river rats like we are.

I looked at your Dad’s f150 and it looks like ours are similar. Mine is also an ‘81 Ranger XLT 4x4. It’s an auto with the long bed.

[Gary Lewis]

We lived in Katy for 6 years and brought the kids over several times to the Schlitterbahn.  Loved it.  And actually love the whole area.

That's cool that we have similar trucks.  I'm anxious to see what you do with yours.  But you say it is a 351W.  Are you sure?  An '81 shouldn't have come with a Windsor.  Maybe someone replaced the 351M?

[huddywayne]

I may have decoded my VIN incorrectly.

The plan for the truck is to just get it running/driving/stopping in time for whitetail season. I’ll spend more time/money on it next spring.

[Machspeed]

Welcome, glad to have you! Being from San Antonio, spent lots of time in New Braunfels. Good luck with your truck and keep us posted on the forum regarding your truck. Many here willing to help.

[Gary Lewis]

Quick checks:

Fuel Pump Bolts: vertical is an M-Block, meaning 351M or 400, and horizontal means Windsor

Valve Cover Bolts: 8-bolts means M-Block.  Windsors have 6 bolts.

[huddywayne]

Gary, after checking, it is in fact the original 351M.

Also - soaked the cylinders again last night in ATF, got a larger breaker bar, and after going back/forth on the crank bolt, I actually loosened the crank bolt! Had to tighten it again and start over.

I've kept the belts on the water pump/alternator to use as visual indicators for movement. They are not on there tight, so not creating any resistance. I am starting to see some flexing in the belts, but it is very minimal. No real rotation of the crank yet.

Will try again this evening and report back.

[Gary Lewis]

The 351M in original guise was not a very powerful motor.  I had an '82 w/a 351W that had a lot more oomph than Dad's did.  But I bought Rusty, that's now up for sale by Clay, and discovered what a well-built 351M could be.  Night and day difference.

But I also discovered that Rusty's engine had been built at a time when you could get decent pistons for the 351M.  That is no longer the case as all you can get are ones that'll put you at 8:1 compression.  So while you'll gain power by installing a straight-up timing chain, you'll not gain due to compression.

The better solution, should you have to rebuild it, is to find a 400 or at least the crank from a 400.  They bolt right in and you can find a wide range of 400 pistons from Tim Meyer so you can get the compression ratio you want.

Anyway, hope you can get it to break loose w/o breaking a ring.  So just keep working on it.  

[rcarlisle]

Hey, welcome.   My only suggestion at this point is to keep trying.   Hopefully it will break loose?  They ALWAYS do on those revival vids, right?   If it would turn backwards but not forward, that would indicate something physically stopping it inside the bores.  LIke a valve jammed or something.   I don't know how long to keep trying.  

Do you have a borescope or know someone that does?  I don't so no surprise if you don't.  But Harbor Freight has one listed for $75.   You could take a look down in the cylinders?   I assume you have all the plugs out so you're not trying to turn against compression as well?

Good luck and be sure to keep us in the know.

[huddywayne]

Thanks for your insight. I don't have a borescope but will look into one. I have removed all belts and spark plugs to reduce the amount of force working against me.

I am on week 3 of letting the cylinders soak in ATF. I have also torqued the crank bolt as far as it will go without shearing (my estimate).

My last step before opening the top end of the engine is to have a buddy join me - one person applying constant force on the crank bolt, with the other applying force on the flywheel using a pry bar.

Any movement will be deemed a success at this point.

[Gary Lewis]

I hope you get it to break loose with that plan.  But another member rolled the truck and popped the clutch to break it loose.  I'm not recommending that, but it might be a last resort/hail Mary move.

[huddywayne]

Gary Lewis wrote

I hope you get it to break loose with that plan.  But another member rolled the truck and popped the clutch to break it loose.  I'm not recommending that, but it might be a last resort/hail Mary move.

Thanks Gary. Mine is an auto, so this was never an option, unfortunately.

This truck is a family heirloom, so just as the good Lord would have it, right when my brother stopped by this afternoon, I bumped the starter again and the old 351 turned over for the first time! We are at 4 weeks exactly of ATF soaking, in conjunction with breaker bar force applied to the crank bolt every 2-3 days. The photo I've attached shows the crud that blew out of the rear driver's side cylinder, which is the one I had identified as the worst off.

Spent a few hours this afternoon changing the oil (drained about 1 cup of rain water from the pan), replacing plugs, and buttoning everything up. Was able to get the truck running on carb cleaner, but the carburetor butterfly valve is rusted shut. Next step will be to get a rebuilt carb, check fuel pump, and check compression. Then it's back to the ranch we go!

[Gary Lewis]

Congratulations!!!  Glad you not only got it to turn over, but got it started!  

I think you are on the final lap and will get it going well soon.  Keep us posted.

[grumpin]

Cool! Glad it broke free.