Ford 3000 gas excessive compression

[jeffcarnill]

I recently acquired a 3000 gasser that has had an engine swap and not run since it is blowing nearly 300 psi compression I ve pulled the head thinking it might be carbon buildup but no real buildup all holes are reding very high is it possible this motor has so.e diesel parts in it im at a loss as to what would cause this situation another fact about this engine the plugs don't appear to be firing in the cylinder but arcing to the head instead plugs fife fine just grounded to block new plugs cap wires points and condenser any input would be appreciated

 

[Janicholson]

I recently acquired a 3000 gasser that has had an engine swap and not run since it is blowing nearly 300 psi compression I ve pulled the head thinking it might be carbon buildup but no real buildup all holes are reding very high is it possible this motor has so.e diesel parts in it im at a loss as to what would cause this situation another fact about this engine the plugs don't appear to be firing in the cylinder but arcing to the head instead plugs fife fine just grounded to block new plugs cap wires points and condenser any input would be appreciated

Welcome to YT forums. We collectively have vast understanding of IC engines and tractors. If your gauge is accurate. that is out in Diesel territory. My thinking is make sure you are using an accurate gauge. The diesel head will be flat with injector holes not spark plugs. If it ever ran that way it would be on some exotic fuel. Diesel pistons would not likely make much difference either as they are often flat, or have a combustion chamber contour. Place some images so we can see! Jim

 

[jeffcarnill]

Welcome to YT forums. We collectively have vast understanding of IC engines and tractors. If your gauge is accurate. that is out in Diesel territory. My thinking is make sure you are using an accurate gauge. The diesel head will be flat with injector holes not spark plugs. If it ever ran that way it would be on some exotic fuel. Diesel pistons would not likely make much difference either as they are often flat, or have a combustion chamber contour. Place some images so we can see! Jim

 

[jeffcarnill]

No im not doubting this is a gas engine head I was wondering what other components like cam or crank are used in this engine that are for the diesel version.i questioned the numbers too so I did check with 2 different comp gages .are these gasser pistons I know this whole thing sounds far fetched but I’m just relaying what I’m seeing and wondering what could cause such high numbers . I was suspecting carbon buildup maybe but it hasn’t been cleaned up much and carbon wasn’t an issue

 

[Bob Bancroft]

No im not doubting this is a gas engine head I was wondering what other components like cam or crank are used in this engine that are for the diesel version.i questioned the numbers too so I did check with 2 different comp gages .are these gasser pistons I know this whole thing sounds far fetched but I’m just relaying what I’m seeing and wondering what could cause such high numbers . I was suspecting carbon buildup maybe but it hasn’t been cleaned up much and carbon wasn’t an issue

I have no experience with this engine, but those look like diesel pistons to me. A quick look at the parts pictures shows the small offset depression in the diesel piston, and a larger centered depression in the gas pistons. That offset depression would be strategically placed where the injector would fire right into it.

 

[jeffcarnill]

Well the diesel motor has a longer stroke . Wouldn’t that make for a higher ratio therefore more compression I don’t want to put the head back on because I haven’t answered my question yet . Do you know if the crank ,cam, or rods and piston will fit in this motor I don’t see how it could take much more stroke the piston is about to break the plane of the deck now I appreciate your thoughts on it

 

[rustred]

wanted to see the combustion chambers also. Agree they look like diesel pistons

 

[Destroked 450]

I have a lot of experience with the 3 cylinder Fords, I can tell you for a fact that those are diesel pistons
Gas pistons have a huge dish that will likely hold over 1/2 cup of liquid
Only difference between gas and diesel heads is one is threaded for spark plugs and the other is threaded on top for injector hold down studs
3000 gas used a 3.8 stroke 158 engine
Diesel used a 4.2 stroke 175 engine
They did make a 158 diesel for the 2000 model
Although the gas engines had a slightly smaller rod you can probably swap out the pistons and be ok if it’s a 158 engine
I would have to research to see if there was a 175 gas engine
Ford used a 175 gas engine on the 3600/3610 models so gas pistons are not a issue

 

[Janicholson]

Well the diesel motor has a longer stroke . Wouldn’t that make for a higher ratio therefore more compression I don’t want to put the head back on because I haven’t answered my question yet . Do you know if the crank ,cam, or rods and piston will fit in this motor I don’t see how it could take much more stroke the piston is about to break the plane of the deck now I appreciate your thoughts on it

Well the truth is the previous owner cobbled together a engine that cannot be operated unless the diesel head/pump wiring/filters/lines and assorted small parts are supplied. Or the pistons could be replaced (and the crankshaft and finding a distributor and wiring stuff) to make it a gasser. The unit is pretty much impossible. The piston pin location is likely way different in the diesel, and the cam (etc) is diesel. So go back to the seller with a claim of misrepresentation of goods. Or find a gasser donor engine and live with it that way. Jim

 

[Destroked 450]

Well the truth is the previous owner cobbled together a engine that cannot be operated unless the diesel head/pump wiring/filters/lines and assorted small parts are supplied. Or the pistons could be replaced (and the crankshaft and finding a distributor and wiring stuff) to make it a gasser. The unit is pretty much impossible. The piston pin location is likely way different in the diesel, and the cam (etc) is diesel. So go back to the seller with a claim of misrepresentation of goods. Or find a gasser donor engine and live with it that way. Jim

It’s not that difficult, he just needs to measure the stroke to see if he needs 158 or 175 gas pistons to replace the diesel pistons that are in it now

 

[used red MN]

Gas pistons have a huge dish that will likely hold over 1/2 cup of liquid

A offering of gas pistons showing the large combustion crater as mentioned.
Ford 158 gas pistons

 

[jeffcarnill]

I have a lot of experience with the 3 cylinder Fords, I can tell you for a fact that those are diesel pistons
Gas pistons have a huge dish that will likely hold over 1/2 cup of liquid
Only difference between gas and diesel heads is one is threaded for spark plugs and the other is threaded on top for injector hold down studs
3000 gas used a 3.8 stroke 158 engine
Diesel used a 4.2 stroke 175 engine
They did make a 158 diesel for the 2000 model
Although the gas engines had a slightly smaller rod you can probably swap out the pistons and be ok if it’s a 158 engine
I would have to research to see if there was a 175 gas engine
Ford used a 175 gas engine on the 3600/3610 models so gas pistons are not a issue

Ok thanks you’ve been quite helpful I measured my engines stroke it matched the 158s 3.8 in so it sounds like I can get me some 158 gas pistons and be good at least it’s making sense now thanks again

 

[bc]

Makes me wonder if someone was playing around trying to build a pulling engine?

 

[used red MN]

I think that would be a “pinging” engine!!

 

[showcrop]

Makes me wonder if someone was playing around trying to build a pulling engine?

Someone probably cracked the diesel head and got a great deal on a gas head.

 

[Destroked 450]

Makes me wonder if someone was playing around trying to build a pulling engine?

Could be but went a little overboard with 16-1 compression

 

[Destroked 450]

Someone probably cracked the diesel head and got a great deal on a gas head.

Everything on the block say it was a gasser, gas fuel pump, distributor drive, gas throttle linkage
Only thing not gas is the pistons

 

[bc]

Could be but went a little overboard with 16-1 compression

I'm thinking Nascar put a cap on Cup engine compression at 15 to 1 years back and they control parts and everything for competition purposes. Not sure what they do now on their engines. 16 wouldn't be far out of line.