about 10 months ago
after i bought my truck and replaced the engine, the head gasket blew.

i replaced it myself
and while cleaning the block of the old gasket
i noticed the pistons wiggled in the cylinders....
the 3rd a 4th cylinder moved more than the 1st and 2nd
but they all 4 wiggled

at most they moved maybe a millimeter if not less.

i've driven the truck almost everyday since then
and it does burn a little oil (maybe a quart every 150 miles)


i know this is bad (piston slap is what i've heard it called)
but how bad are we talking? and how long does my truck have left to live?



the block is a 2.3 from and 80's mustang
it came from a rally car ( i know its been abused)

any suggestions???

 

Well i had an 83 ranger with the 2.0 and when i did my valve job all of my pistons moved about 1.5 mm if not more but i drove that truck for another 60k miles and now 3 years later the new owner is still driving that truck with no problems. So yea you will be ok just don't beat on it.

 

Thats alot. Burning a quart of oil every 150 miles is pretty bad.
Well at least you dont have to do oil changes.

 

it doesn't just burn it every 150 miles....

i think either the rear main from the engine has a leak or the oil pan gasket is bad
i know it leaks at high rpm but its fine when it sits

 

with all that you have said about its history and what is happening now, i would suggest a new (used) engine. as long as the body is ok rust/other wise then it might be worth it. on the other hand used rangers around here frankly don't command very much $$$.

 

sounds like i need a new job... :P