2300 Ford Question????

[DonahueMSports8]

We have a 2300 that has melted the center of the pistons in #2 and 3 cylinders. we run on dirt and it only run 12 laps since new @ 8000 rpm's. so my question is has anyone ever seen this before? and what might have caused this? here is what I know, the timing is at 36 degrees, engine is not lean, 111 track-tec race fuel, any ideas we are slap out!!!!

Thanks

[cepx111]

It almost had to be detonation, are you certain fuel was up to par with your compression?
Are you sure it wasnt diluted?

More info needed.

[DonahueMSports8]

We have not yet had the fuel tested... that will be done today,but it was just bought and we have more then one car that runs the same fuel. and why would it only do this to the center 2 cylinders and not the others?

[JEFF69Z28]

2

[suicidebomb]

What type of induction?

[DonahueMSports8]

Ok I now timing will very. but like I said before we have 3 of these engines and have no trouble with the other 2. this is a brand new race car and we are no stranger to the 2300 4 cylinders. it has a new 6al msd system with a 500 holley with 76 for jets. and like I said before 1 & 4 look like new. we are running around 12.5 to 1 compression.

[DonahueMSports8]

Ok I now timing will very. but like I said before we have 3 of these engines and have no trouble with the other 2. this is a brand new race car and we are no stranger to the 2300 4 cylinders. it has a new 6al msd system with a 500 holley with 76 for jets. and like I said before 1 & 4 look like new. we are running around 12.5 to 1 compression.

[suicidebomb]

Could it be poor mixture distribution? 1&4 being fat, and 2&3 going lean?

Just asking.

[DonahueMSports8]

could be but nothing shows a lean condition, plugs,exhaust ect. we run a good intake with a 1 inch adapter. we have checked all the gaskets from carb to head and found nothing. we even went as far as to rechecking the valve settings. HELP!!!!!HELP!!! AND THANKS FOR ANY IDEAS

[johnracer]

Ok, how about a cooling problem? The center cyls will run hotter than the ends. Is the water jacket clear around the center cyls? Cyl head water jackets clear? Head gasket coolant passages clear & properly positioned?

Johnny

[DonahueMSports8]

The head looks to be clear and in good shape. It is a D ports head that was presure tested and magnifuxed before it was installed. It did have a cometic head gasket on it. we did see some leaking between 2 & 3 but not enough to cause this problem. we have now switched to the Felpro 1035 head gasket on our other engines to try and help stop the leaking between them.