Posted by Pegasus on August 10, 1998 at 16:25:13:
Hi all!
Just finished a complete rebuild of the 250 CID engine in my 76 two door Maverick. If you are contemplating doing your own rebuild then jot down my email address as a resource to contact if you have any questions.
In general, the rebuild went very easily. Suggest you buy a good engine stand (about $45.00 used) and a good engine hoist.
All of the parts (bearings, gasket sets, piston rings) were available from JC Whitney and cost me roughly $145.00
Another $65 spent at a local machine shop was well spent by heaving the head and block "hot-dipped". Included in this price was a cylinder head rebuild, cylinder honing and block/head painting (Ford Blue no less!).
Be careful when installing the piston rings (about $20.00 for a set). I broke the last ring on the last piston to be installed and ended up having to buy a whole new set because they are not sold individually! Anyone need a 99% complete piston ring set real cheap? ;^)
The hardest part about the rebuild was removing the old camshaft bearings. I strongly suggest you bring the block to a machine shop to have them removed and the new ones pressed in.
When I bought the car last October it came home with blue smoke pouring from the exhause and would stall any time the car slowed down, now it purrs like a kitten and is as strong as an ox.
Just some thoughts from someone who's done the rebuild!
Pegasus