Yeah I thought about it and even priced out the bearings. Its like $250 for new rod and main bearings, high volume pump, pickup screen and tube, oil pump intermediate shaft, and felpro gasket.

Changing the bearings has me worried though. I have very little knowledge when it comes to engine work. I really don't know how to change the bearings and I was also told that just throwing in new bearings without machine work can cause catastrophic failure. I don't really know though, like I said, I just have no clue when it comes to engine internals.

 

You can do it, you have to make sure to check the clearance with plastigage and have everything spotlessly clean. A good torque wrench is also required.

 

Bring it over here.

 

Cool. I've been talking to my Dad about it and he said its not to hard to do so I'll probably go for it. He knows a lot more about that type of work than I do.

May take you up on that if I can't get my Dad to help me out.

 

If you are having oil pressure issues it would first be good to find out why. Either the oil pump is getting old and isn't able to push as much oil as it used to, or (more likely) your bearing clearance have opened up from all of the miles and unable to build as much pressure.

If you are willing to put in all new bearings you might as well do a mild overhaul. I would not suggest putting new bearings on the engine with it installed. Pull the motor, remove the crank and rotating. Check all of the crank journals for any scoring or nicking. If you can catch your finger nail on any of the marks on the journals it needs to be machined down. Have the crank ground down 10 thousandths of an inch and buy undersize bearing so that all of your clearances are within spec and tight (rod and main).

If you are that far in you might want to consider new rings, just depends how far into the engine you are willing to go. Just remember that a high volume oil pump is only a band aid if the bearing clearances have opened up.

 

I'm fairly certain the problem is the bearing clearances. Its possible that its just the oil pump or pickup but I doubt it. I know the oil pump is a band-aid fix but thats all I really want. About as far as I'm willing to go is what it takes to get to the oil pump. I'm not going to pull the motor. I don't have the time, room, or knowledge to go through that. I'll replace the pump and what I can get to while I'm in there, but right now its just not an option to go any further.

 

Sounds good! Hopefully the pan drop easy for you.

 

WOOOOO!!!!!!

Windsor represent!!!! we know how to build em up here!!!!!

nice truck btw.

 

ive always wondered this, but what is the difference between the 351 windsor, 351 clevland, and 351 modified? i was told that the windsor was good for towing and the clevland was for speed and modified was best of both worlds. any insight on this?

 

it's the other way around. 351W is better then 351C/M for aftermarket. 351C/M is an iron block.

 

Yeah from what I've heard the 351W is the engine to go with for performance/towing. The 351C can be built to haul some *** but apparently isn't the best for towing, and the 351M is strictly a tow engine.

 

M and C are the same i belive or very close. there are threads on here already about FE motors and the differences/similarities.