Project Frog Princess
Well, since I'm waiting now to get an HDK, I finally decided its time to take a look at the 5.9 Magnum that's been so lonely sitting in a corner of the shop. I've really been looking forward to this part. My hope has been that the engine, which was taken from a rolled 98 pickup with 78,000 miles, would have a good serviceable shortblock.
So far its promising. Only cylinder #1 has a detectable ridge, and the max diameter is 4.004, within acceptable tolerance. Only the upper 3/8" or so has notable taper. The crosshatch is easily visible on all cylinders. I have not completely measured, but it looks to me like the rest do not taper more than .002.
I have not decided how far to go with inspection of the shortblock. of course the cam is coming out. If all the cylinders are good, I'm not worried about piston wear, so its mainly the crank I have to decide about. End play should be easy without disassembly.
The bore gauge is a cheapo but measurements from cylinder to cylinder are perfectly repeatable so I'm confident in the results. I'm also showing a machinists 4" block as a reference standard. My caliper is surprisingly accurate. It measures .001 under at 4".
Well, since I'm waiting now to get an HDK, I finally decided its time to take a look at the 5.9 Magnum that's been so lonely sitting in a corner of the shop. I've really been looking forward to this part. My hope has been that the engine, which was taken from a rolled 98 pickup with 78,000 miles, would have a good serviceable shortblock.
So far its promising. Only cylinder #1 has a detectable ridge, and the max diameter is 4.004, within acceptable tolerance. Only the upper 3/8" or so has notable taper. The crosshatch is easily visible on all cylinders. I have not completely measured, but it looks to me like the rest do not taper more than .002.
I have not decided how far to go with inspection of the shortblock. of course the cam is coming out. If all the cylinders are good, I'm not worried about piston wear, so its mainly the crank I have to decide about. End play should be easy without disassembly.
The bore gauge is a cheapo but measurements from cylinder to cylinder are perfectly repeatable so I'm confident in the results. I'm also showing a machinists 4" block as a reference standard. My caliper is surprisingly accurate. It measures .001 under at 4".
