Re: Fred's 1956 Clipper

Posted by Randy Berger On 2008/3/31 20:37:17

The camshaft bearings have their own oil supply, so that isn't what hurt the cam. The cylinder walls may not have received enough oil to lube them properly. This is the second time I've heard about rods or pistons being installed wrong. A fellow Packard owner in Buffalo had bought a 56 400 that a Ford mechanic put together trusting his memory rather than the shop manual. Just as he got to Warren Ohio the engine seized and took the tops off several pistons. I think the car is still just sitting in his garage. Although I know some 352 engines have been bored out to 374, I would have the block measured carefully before that is attempted. If the block is boiled out and then baked and shotpeened it should be free of sediment. Perhaps Jack Vines and some other knowledgeable V8 engine folks will chime in here. I wish you good luck on your project.