The story;

   My 60 F100 sat for a few years before I bought it. The engine turned over but the compression was real low. After a good cleaning and replaceing a few bent pushrods I got it to start. Once on the road I took it easy, never rev'd too high or lugged to low. The compression slowly increased from the mid 90's to around 120 on all cylinders but one. After 1000 miles or so I lost all compression on # 8. I pulled the piston and both comp rings were broken in half and the ring groove on the piston had damage.  I have a new piston and rings that I am going to install in a freshly honed cylinder. The new ring gap is .015 on the comp rings and .019 on the oil rings @ 1" deep in the cylinder. I have slight damage to the cylinder wall, no sharp edges just a smooth vertical indentation maybe .005 deep maybe 1/4" wide. 

I know it needs bored, the motor needs a rebuild. but I need to get in back on the road asap to make the money to rebuild ( and to eat ).

The question;  

 Is there anything else I can do that might increase the odds of this bailin wire & bubblegum repair to hold together for a few thousand more miles ?

Respectfuly, Mark

Mark;

If you live in a cold climate this may not help, but if not, you could try switching to a heavier, straight weight oil and add some "motor honey" (STP) to the mix. It may help with the smoke and blow-by a little

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I once helped a guy tear down his 350 scrub engine,with the intent to rebuild.

One wristpin had come loose and was walking from one side of the cylinder to

the other,scoring two grooves on each side of the cylinder the full length of

the stroke.I said the only thing to do was to sleeve the cylinder. He said he

could'nt afford it,put new rings,bearings,etc.and put it back together.

The thing ran with only a slight blow by and a little roughness in the idle.

He ran the thing several years, and sold it to a kid down the street,who ran

the wheels of the thing until I lost track of it. So you never know.

55f100

West Monroe,La.

I had a buddy that once told me he used +.010 rings and filed them to fit on a std piston. It sounded iffy but he said it kept it running until ready for a rebuild. I suppose it would work if you are planning a bore later, but I am guessing the piston slap would be pretty bad. But I would probably lean toward the cylinder sleeve.

Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC

I thank you all for your thoughts.  It's back together with a new piston and rings. She's running good, sounds good and blowby is a lot less than it ever was. The pcv seems to handle it just fine.

This was the first time I had the oil pan off and was pleased to see only about 1/4" of grey sluge in the bottom. I wasn't so pleased to see that my oil pickup screen was totaly plugged with what looked like the crumbs from popcorn chicken. The only way oil got to the pickup was over the screen.

I swear my truck has control issues, she seems to like dictating what it is that I will be working on next. As I was standing there looking for leaks with it running I saw a fine mist at the lower left front of the engine. As I was looking for it's source it grew into a spray. The diaphram in my fuel pump was failing as I was watching, at least she was considerate and did it at home.

Thanks again, Mark

That was nice of her.

55f100

West Monroe,La.