mustangjz29

I've had my '87 5.0 sitting in my garage since three years ago when I blew the head gasket. We recently started to rip the engine apart to make sure it was head gasket and to try to fix it. The compression test was OK on cylinders 1-4, but 5-8 showed something definitely wrong, in fact cylinder #6 didn't even register. Well when we pulled the heads off I did notice the gasket was blown; however, we also noticed the gaping hole in the piston #6 (detonation?):




My question is what is the most budget friendly way to go about fixing this? Is it possible to just replace that piston or do I need a new long block? I've already bought a fel-pro gasket kit.

luckythirteen13

you can replace just the piston. since you have to open the motor up id put in bearings and rings in it at the same time. might as well freshen it up

92hatchLX

Are you running any type of forced induction or nitrous on it? Perfect time for a 306 build or drop a 351w in it.

mjr46

get another short block, no need to bandaid repair a worn block to only have the same thing happen again in the near future

mustangjz29

Right now it's pretty much bone stock, no nitrous or anything.

Liquid_02

Agreed. Any metal that was blown off has now gone through your engine, don't waste your time and money on that one.

mustangjz29

I agree as well. If I get a new short block, can I use my own heads? Do I have to take each to a machine shop to get them milled/bored? Sorry, I'm new at all this...

NoGo95GT

Go to your machine shop and see how much they charge for a new short block. I am picking one up for my stock Mustang for $350 with core exchange. It's cleaned, honed, etc; fitted with new pistons( I believe cast, but don't really care) and rods, camshaft and timing chain, oil pump and the crank is checked/milled to specs. It probably won't handle more than the stock HP output, but for a budget build it should work fine and the cost is reasonable.