430 MEL restoration

[Cafar]

Hi, Im lucky owner of Continental '62 and time has come to restore it. I went through many forums and found out the 430 is specific due to piston and heads design. I'have plan to do complete overhaul exept piston replacement. I found delux repair kit of Falcon. Is this right choise? Can you advise on it. I have to admit I will not do replacement by myself (no expirience) I have support of machine shop.
Thx

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lincoln-430-DE ... :rk:7:pf:0

[Cafar]

Guys I was sure that you will say at least good direction, go for it or propose something different for ordinary overhaul.

[Chris430]

Guys I was sure that you will say at least good direction, go for it or propose something different for ordinary overhaul.

I have seen a couple of the incorrect pistons for the MEL engines. Not sure where Falcon is with the correct pistons. Wiesco does make the correct piston for the MEL. Others I have seen have a dome or the correct step but no pin off set. Make sure your heads are flat without chambers before you buy pistons. The C3VE 1963-1965 430 heads have a small combustion chamber. Those heads need an extra large piston step.

[Chris430]

Hi, Im lucky owner of Continental '62 and time has come to restore it. I went through many forums and found out the 430 is specific due to piston and heads design. I'have plan to do complete overhaul exept piston replacement. I found delux repair kit of Falcon. Is this right choise? Can you advise on it. I have to admit I will not do replacement by myself (no expirience) I have support of machine shop.
Thx

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lincoln-430-DE ... :rk:7:pf:0

Those are not the correct pistons in that kit. They look like they have an offset pin but all that will do on a flat top piston is make it heavy on one side and noisy. Take a look at this thread and you will see what I mean. There are many MEL engines running with the wrong piston but it takes away from the fuel effencicy power the MEL is known for.
http://ford-mel-engine.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=67

[Cafar]

Hi,
Thanks Chris430 for comprehensive information. Starting point for rebuilt was not sufficient lubrication at valve train, finaly we have found oil passage were blocked. On this occasion I will rebuild it to stock. Presently we do all required measurement. Reading attached posts on stock pistons I think will keep original one. Here is the picture before engine removal.

[Cafar]

This is it.

[Chris430]

Looks like a normal 58-62 430. Do you still have the 2 barrel? If you want a 4 barrel and by chance you have C6VE (462) heads I have a 462 intake you can have for shipping. I am pretty sure it will not seal on any early heads, has ro be 462 small port heads. Same goes for 63 4 barrel, if I still have it.

[Cafar]

Does 462 heads and intake will improve performance of 430, torq or hp?

[Chris430]

Does 462 heads and intake will improve performance of 430, torq or hp?

Don't know about the fuel miliage but I would think so. I do know the 462 ports are smaller and the 462 heads have a good short turn radius compared to the 430. Smaller ports keep the air/fuel mixture moving faster.