Crankshaft Thrust Failure – Ford 5.0L (302 CID) V8
Some 1982-’90 Ford 302 V8 engines may have insufficient torque convertor to crankshaft clearance. This may result in a metallic noise caused by flexing of the torque convertor, allowing the convertor to contact the flywheel bolts. This can also lead to damage to the crankshaft and thrust bearing.
To keep this from happening, Ford recommends replacing the flywheel bolts with six p/n F1ZZ-6379-A. These bolts have the correct head height to provide proper clearance and prevent contact with the torque convertor.
Engine Pro Technical Committee
Protecting Valve Guides When Cleaning Cylinder Heads
When bead blasting cylinder heads with bronze valve guides, protect them by placing foam ear plugs in both ends of the guides.
Darrin Anderson
Braymer, MO
Engine Bearing Surface Finish Concerns
Because the bearing overlay area is electroplated, it may exhibit microscopic “plating nodules” that can result in a slightly rough texture. This should not be a concern, because these nodules are the same material as the rest of the plated layer, and will quickly flatten out or burnish when the crankshaft initially rotates. If you want to smooth these surfaces in advance, use a mild solvent and apply light pressure with a clean paper towel. Some people do this to make themselves feel better, and others think it is a cool modification trick.
MAHLE-Clevite Inc.
Cleaning Small Parts
To solve the problem of losing small parts such as keepers during cleaning, go to your local hardware store and purchase a piece of black pipe, a male plug and female cap and drill several 3/16? holes in each end. Put the small parts inside and screw together finger tight, and put into your tumbler or cleaning tank. No more lost parts!
Arus Kinney, Austin Jordan Engines
Wyoming, MI
Flywheel Dowel Removal
Flywheel dowels are often so tight that it is very difficult to remove them. Here is a way to drill them out: Put a piece of scrap metal or plywood on the table under your mill or drill press. Measure the dowel and drill a hole that size at least as deep as the dowel protrudes from the flywheel. Place the flywheel on the table with the dowel in the hole you have just drilled.
You are now on dead center to drill a smaller hole (usually 3/16?) until you are up against the back of the dowel. Now use a punch to knock out the dowel.
Ron, Enginetech Machine
Santa Maria, CA
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