TO20 Rebuild

[PaulTO20]

I recently bought a TO20, knowing it needed engine repair or replacement. I tore it apart and found some gross things, and I'm hoping someone here can point me in a direction of where to find actual damage (not just symptoms) so I can determine if i can repair this engine or if I need to replace it.

I have pictures, but I'm having a hard time uploading them to this forum.

On top of the pistons, in the combustion chambers, there is this mud like substance.

Under the valve cover, it looks like a whole bunch of metal shavings, which have rusted.

The bottom end of this motor is very worn out, with loose rod bearings and wristpins.
 

[PackardV8]

Inspect for cracks in cylinder webs between cylinders. Seems to be a common problem. I a TE 20 like that rite now. Otherwise mine is a very good engine.

As for dirt, mud, rusty metal shavings or other unnatural debris in an engine is simply the result of "professional service providers". I've found 6 feet of 1/8 steel rod under valve cover of very streight nice 8 year old origiginal looking AMC engine. Multitude of Valve keepers, old plastigauge wrappers in oil pans, watches and jewelery and ink pins in tires. U name it. It's the nature of vehicle service for hire.

As long as the block isn't cracked u can rebuild it. Pressure (or static check for several days) for coolant leaks from around BOTTOM of sleeves and webs between cy;inders. Chances are if webs not cracked at top then bottom ok. But need to check.
 

[PackardV8]

OR if u're interested in a swap the pre-65 Ford engines (5 bolt bellhousing) are supposed to be a close swap. I've never tried one. There are some posts here at this forum regarding it. Only problem is that those engines are about as rare as the Z120. Maybe even more rare.

I have a bell traceing with dimensions i mite try to post a pic of one day. The hard part is starter position that high on the block and i won't do nor recommend any significant mods to the trans housing to accomodate starter. So discovering an engine for ez swap and an engine ez and cheap to acquire is yet to be discovered.
 

[Bruce(OR)]

Metal shavings from the valve tain from a lack of oil??
Mud on pistons.
Maybe mud mixed with carbon?
Loose bearings, wristpins. . .
Well, From this site, pistons come with liners rings and wrist pins in the complete kit.
This will leave you possibly looking for a valve train.
 

[John(UK)]

From your description, it needs a complete re-build as there is nothing to salvage from that. Don't forget the Oil Pump in the Engine as that could have caused a lot of your problems..John(UK)....fergusontractors@hotmail.com
 

[2tractors]

Nobody mentioned looking at the oil. If it was milky or water came out first when you drained it then there's probably a crack or bad orings.I'd still replace the orings which should come with a complete rebuild kit which you will need to order once the crank has been turned by a machine shop.
 

[Tony in Mass.]

You have help with the metal parts, now let's see about the cyber stuff.... add the pics from your camera into an album or photo gallery in your computor. As you start or ad to a post on here, under the preview button is 'advanced posting tools', click 'browse'. You should get a window with your albums, find the pictures- one at a time tho- that you want to put here, click on it, click 'open' on the bottom of the window, now the giberish should be on a line/box in the advanced box under here, click 'upload'...and wait... when you see it in the thumbnail, click 'continue', then try 'preview'..... no one masters this first time, keep trying... makes rebuilding a fergie look easy...