Possible seized engine - 390

[67 bump]

I picked up a 390 ranger, I got the heads rebuilt and used a small RV cam. I swapped in a new timing chain and a older 4 barrel 59 Edsel intake. I plugged the port in the back of the intake with a freeze plug and used a PCV valve. While driving the engine lost power and blew the oil cap off the intake tube. I drove it maybe 100 more yards into my driveway and it died. I tried to crank it over by hand in both directions and it was a no go. Any ideas what may have caused this.

[fordman]

I'm not sure I can provide an answer. I would remove starter belts and distribution. See if you can turn engine with breaker bar and socket via the crankshaft damper bolt.

[hazelnut]

I think the problem is you put a intake off a MEL engine on a FE. From what I've heard they may look to be the same but the two are different engines and nothing interchanges correct. I think something is not lining up right in the castings and have created a big problem.

[67 bump]

In guessing a ton of crankcase pressure built up and broke a ring. Only a guess at this point...

[1972hiboy]

well, sounds like something happened to it. if it wont turn with a breaker bar in either direction or with starter. you know what needs to happen. you can start with the valve covers and get the heads off first but pretty sure it would need to come back apart to be repaired.

[tnlprt]

I think the problem is you put a intake off a MEL engine on a FE. From what I've heard they may look to be the same but the two are different engines and nothing interchanges correct. I think something is not lining up right in the castings and have created a big problem.

If you attempt to put a MEL intake on the FE engine you might find that there are only the bottom bolts to attach the valve covers as the top hole will be absent

Sounds like you may have spun a bearing

[Nitekruizer]

I think the problem is you put a intake off a MEL engine on a FE. From what I've heard they may look to be the same but the two are different engines and nothing interchanges correct. I think something is not lining up right in the castings and have created a big problem.

If you attempt to put a MEL intake on the FE engine you might find that there are only the bottom bolts to attach the valve covers as the top hole will be absent

Sounds like you may have spun a bearing

The FE intake forms part of the heads, but the MEL intake is separate from the heads and does not form part of them.

[67 bump]

Mine bolted just fine and appeared the same as the 2 barrel I removed. I ran the numbers on the intake and it came back to a 59.