Found it! Finally.
Yesterday the mechanics started tearing the engine down. After removing the fresh water pump at the front of the engine they could peek through the hole to the first cylinder, and there, just barely in view, was a small spot of corrosion that had worked its way right through the cylinder.
The reason we didn’t spot it when the oil pan was off is that it was conveniently hidden by the piston.
So anyway, the original plan is still in place then. We’ll pull the block out, drill the cylinder/s out a bit, and then press in a sleeve/sleeves.
Yesterday we were walking to dinner when one of my flip-flops blew out. We were a couple blocks from the house where I had a pair of tennis shoes I hadn’t worn in over a year. Ouest ran back with me and watched me closely as I put them on. Clearly she found me wearing a pair of shoes to be noteworthy.
She was watching so intently that I asked, “What?”
She looked up at me, smiled, and said, “You look cute, Papa.”
I’ve been going out to the boat very early in the morning (around 5:45) lately. At the end of our street a little old lady sits on the curb selling newspapers to the few early birds. We always exchange a couple of words, which recently have centered on my wardrobe. She worries that I’ll be cold. It’s about 65 degrees in the mornings which is cold enough to warrant two or three layers of clothes and a thick wool coat for her. For me it warrants a pair of jeans. She doesn’t think this is enough, but let’s it slide as a silly gringo eccentricity. When I walked up today wearing shoes instead of flip-flops I could see that she approved. I didn’t catch everything that she said to me, but I clearly heard zapatos.
I took Lowe to get his haircut today, convincing him to go by telling him he could ride the bike there. Okay then. He seemed okay when we walked in, unfortunately there were no empty chairs. After a few minutes of sitting on my lap waiting I could feel his nerves kicking in. When a chair opened and I tried to set him in it he held onto me like a baby monkey to its mother swinging through the trees. I don’t know what happened, but he’s not digging the haircut any longer. Eventually I asked him if he would sit on my lap.
“Uh-huh!” he grunted.
Ouest took our picture.
7 Comments on “It’s a Hole”
OUTSTANDING! Can you get photos of the hole and show the location for us Lehman owners? I’m seriously intrigued by the fact that you have corrosion to that extent inside the block.
You must be relieved.
Ah, a hole in a cylinder. Sigh of relief that the culprit is apprehended.
YES!!! You found the problem! (Pumps fist in air for you)
Yea, you finally found it, the hole that is. When I had the same problem the owner of my machine shop told me it was caused by harmonic resonance, basically the coolant vibrates a certain way at my usual running speed, somehow focusing on that spot…..whatever…still a pain. Now for 2 more cents worth; First I would weigh the cost of a rebuilt short block from the outfit before mentioned (http://www.bomacmarine.com/ford-lehman-engines.html) that rebuilds lehmans for a living versus your people doing it there. If its even slightly close go for the short-block. Ok, I know, it wont be close pricewise or hasselwise, personally,,I would go that route if I could possibly afford it. However they should have all the parts you will need if you proceed there. Im sure your guys know this but just in case, This part is very Important!!! you need to mark each bearing cap, both rods and mains, BEFORE YOU TAKE THEM OFF…Its imperative that each one goes back on exactly as they came off, http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=marking+rod+and+main+bearings&d=4816029631842293&mkt=en-PH&setlang=en-PH&w=WnbZw_T_T5aOE8CgmWOa-qlgmtNfUFKR
Then you will have to decide how far to go with the rebuild, bearings, seals, rings? etc… your at the heart surgery stage now, good luck, sorry if Im a bit longwinded……aloha Ron
Ron has good points. I wonder if the corrosion is prevalent in other parts of the engine that you can’t see, maybe caused by having sub par, or no anti-freeze in the engine before you bought it?
Paul T
AWESOME! trying to get the old twofer you cheap skate.
A Keen Eye and the problem was found!! Cheers to you! the best of luck to yall Your kids are the bomb cool pics…Peace
Darren