OK - back to engine noises. The valve train is now straightened out so on to the next.

When I started the engine after dumping that set of pedestal mounted rockers, the only 'peep' was a slight bit of roller rocker arm tick and what I've always considered normal and much the same as other engines I've used them on. Spring ahead a couple months, driven the car a fair amount, but an extended run this past weekend has about convinced me that the now returned heavier internal 'clunk' is a collapsed piston skirt and brought about after an overspeed event last year when I tore the motor mounts apart, hanging the throttle shaft near wide open for a couple seconds before I could get it shut down. The oil pressure is fine, and the same as when first started at 65 psig cold, 55-60 hot, so ruled out bearings. My history with Ford 289/302 engines is that piston skirts are weak and clunk, but usually after many hard miles.

This now brings me to pistons. This engine is a Ford Racing crate motor, supposedly with something besides sand cast pistons - but I really do not know what they really are but would bet on the OEM standard cast pieces.

I'll be pulling the engine down, probably starting Nov/Dec time period to do my full internal check as well as pull some or all of the pistons and measure for failure. I've been looking at a set of replacements, and have about decided that the hypereutectics are all I need for what I use the car for and think these might be about the best suited to use without a rebore - KB/Silvolite 3165HC. They maintain an approximate 9 to 1 CR, have double valve reliefs, have the 1.6 compression distance and, best, are reasonably priced for my thin wallet.

Comments? Thoughts??

OOPS! Sorry about 'shouting' in the header