Looking for video of one of my runs....
  Despite the crappy weather I did enjoy going again this year. Met new  FE friends in our pit area!! If I don't get to say Hello it's because I'm just a quiet guy and listen more than talk. The video I'm looking for is in round one of Hot FE. I was running John Pregitzer with a baby blue 66 Fairlane hardtop. My car is the 67 White Fairlane 500 Hardtop plain jane no lettering #1053 on the window. I need to see what went wrong on that run. I have never been so crossed up in that car in the 20 years I've run it. I had to get out of it on at least 2 runs on Saturday. I know the wind was some of the issue but just would like to see what the heck happened. Appreciate any help or photo's.                                       JOHN

John,
I don't have video of that run, but I am sure something will surface once everyone gets their stuff posted somewhere. I remember the run and was surprised that you got the win light, only because your Fairlane was really dancing on that pass. Your car is impressive to watch on a normal pass with it picking up the front wheels on the gear changes, but that pass you are asking about was scary to watch.

Cool project. Would be neat to see updates as you build it

Mike

Thanks for the response, Ross. You are correct on the 8554 head gasket. A friend is going to help me check out the heads, and I hope there is something there to explain the oil contamination, rather than the rings. Still more investigating to come and I'll post.

Thanks,
Mike

Have the heads off now. Lots of crud and
contamination for less than 1000 miles.

I was able to verify that there was no slippage in my balancer. Bought a degree wheel and it checked good.  I wanted to see what piston was used because I could not remember the part number I supplied, so off came the heads.

I was back out in the garage today messing with the Fairlane. First, I had to go thru and clean torpedo heater as it suffered flame out shortly after start up. Got it going and got some heat.

As recommended, I put a timing light on it after warming it up. Light was only reading 5 degrees initial. Put some advance in the timing to where it smoothed out a little and sound good by ear.  Put the light back on and it read 23 degrees idling. Goosed It up to +or- 3k rpm and light read 50 degrees. Vacuum improved a little.

I made up a piston stop out of a spark plug non fouled and will check TDC next. I think I can fit the 18 inch Moroso degree with the motor in the car.

I also releaked cylinders 5 and 7, and got better numbers than before. I guess because the motor was still warm this time. The plot thickens.

So, today I braved the cold and messed around in the garage checking some stuff on the Fairlane. Compression and leak down.  Testing showed I had 2 weak cylinders on leak down. #5 at 17% and #7 at 18% after a little oil in #7. That cylinder was 22% at first.

Compression-wise 7 of the 8 cylinders ranged from 151 to 162. The one weak cylinder was #8 at 140.  This motor had no issues during break-in and probably has less than 1000 miles on it.

cyl.    comp.    leak-down
1        155       8%
2        160      11%
3        157      11%
4        156      10%
5        162      17%
6        160      8%
7        151      18%
8        140      13%


Motor is a .030 over 390 with C8OE N Cobra Jet heads.
Cobra jet exhaust manifolds
Comp XE 274 cam kit. Lifters, springs and hardware all matching. Ford adjustable rockers.
Pistons are Silvolites (I think)! maybe part# 1130, but not sure. Cannot find the old box. 
PI intake with a Holley, Ford distributor with a Pertronix.

My low vacuum woes at temperature.