I resurrected my cousins 1956 Ford F100 with a 351 Cleveland engine that have been sitting for 17 years. You’ve come a long way and it is running now. It has a C6 transmission. I don’t remember how powerful the engine was so many years ago but I feel that it should have more power. Is there anything I can do to have the engine inspected and what should be looked for to confirm that it is operating to all of its capabilities? It’s been rewired completely, power steering added, transmission fluid has been changed. Engine oil has been change. Carburetor has been adjusted. Radiator has been flushed and fixed. Gas tank has been emptied and fixed. Next is front disc brakes. Oil, leaks, and transmission leaks.
Thanks for any guidance!
Tim Renault (California)
Do a wet and dry compression test to determine the health of the engine. It's been around almost 70 years, that'sa lot of time to be driven with oil leaks, etc. Which will lower the compression as it wears out the engine. Power steering also puts additional loads on the engine. I would also tear down and clean/ rebuild the carburetor, if it's been sitting for 17 years, lots of gunk has likely built up.
Not the original engine, the 351C was made from 1969-1974. Still quite a few decades old though and the same caveats apply.
Fooled me, I wondered how power steering was fitted to an old engine when it probably wasn't around when it was built. Not universally, at least.
Based on your age range, if it's on the newer end, they probably started restricting power because of fuel economy.