1963 Dodge Dart !!! Wahoo!

Pretty sure that an LA Chrysler uses a slot like a Chevrolet, but I honestly can't remember. If you're real cheap, you can just hack the handle off of a big flat blade screwdriver, and chuck it up in a 1/2" drill

 

What one has to do is pull this "intermediate distributor drive gear out", then I bought a really long hex "rod" which goes into the oil pump and do the drill thing to get the oil pressure up. It's a little tricky to get it out of the distributor hole, but I accomplished it no problem.

 

Today, I pulled the intake off, and basically removed bolt on's, you know, to clean it up, then do a leak-down test on each cylinder, even though it's been dormant for a while, should give me some kind of finding to determine the engines health.

it fit perfectly in my HF media blaster, then finished cleaning it up, shot some silver followed by high heat clear. Same thing I did on my bronco's intake, gas doesn't affect it

 

You are aware you must be surgically fastidious to remove ALL media before bolting or laying that intake on the engine?
Media does boo bad-oh things to cylinder walls and oil pumps.

 

I spent almost two days cleaning my Nissan aluminum transmission case when it came apart. The aluminum was very tenacious
about holding on to small particles. Cast iron would have been easy.

 

Gee guys~ After having basically boiled the intake after blasting, and then blown it for an adequate amount of time, I'm confident that all is well. However, I appreciate the reminder, but y'all been following me for some time right ?
well, headed to Whataburger

 

You seem familiar.

 

What a difference!

 

Hi, I went to do a leak down test on my newest 318 (block casting 4006730-318-12) (1976-1979 LA) from the '76 Valiant, #8 cylinder at TDC leaks badly from the intake. I've tried tapping it to seat it, but didn't do anything. Every cylinder there is air leakage from the oil pan/cam/rings. It's faint, but the engine hasn't been ran for some time I'd say. The intake, exhaust manifolds are off to it's a unique diagnosis. I thought maybe this engine was going to be ok, but I guess not.



This is the head and following pics from the previous engine, '73 Challenger, 318 (2536030 318-8)casting) (1967-75 LA) , well exhaust ports. it's a nasty engine. Y'all saw this engine earlier on~




I'm not doing a very good job on picking engines . I'm thinking to go with the '73 challenger engine to have overhauled, meh, It would be a little ways off, but I'd still play with the other engine just for fun. I've got to get something running on my engine run stand!

 

I was under the impression you were going to do an engine rebuild?

 

Well John, in my aging mind, I was hoping the newest engine was going to run with "minimal" work, not that I'm cheap!

 

Mine is aging too. I guess what I meant to say is what is the final destination for this build. It could be like a
jeep and evolve as it progresses. Doing things over 2 or 3 times.

 

lol, there is no definite final destination~ this is meant to be a long term project, probably my last. The mopar engines appear to be different that Fords, variations, and throwing me for a loop. The simplest thing at this point, choose one of these engines, have it overhauled, and there you have it The other, well, collateral damage(but will be useful as a mockup engine) and will wind up in the metal scrap yard. Once the engine is out of my way and put on the shelf, I can proceed onto more fun stuff, like the body

 

I like that you take each day for what it is and don't worry about the rest.

 

The retirement years are posing, what's next after cars? I need to think of something that will carry me on until I whenever. After car stuff, I'm thinking woodwork like my little brother. Not as expensive and satisfying, and perhaps I can get Gary in on it. I could get back into music as my brothers are bluegrass fanatics. I played fiddle for a number of years and could get back into that, plus I was a pretty good bass player. meh, but thank you for the compliment

 

Oh yeah, Mopars are alot different than Fords =] Honestly, they're probably a bit easier, really. At least when it comes to figuring out transmissions, and stuffing them into things.

 

I've been cleaning up the garage, took a little time to clean up this distributor, not really sure if I'm going to use it. However, It came off the '73 Charger engine. Blasted it of course, the soaked in some carburetor cleaner, re-washed, lubed. It needs a vacuum advance, new cap/rotor, but I won't buy those parts till later. It does have the pertronix ignition already. Why mopar blue/clear coat~ doesn't matter, but looks good.







Since I'm kind of at a slump on the engine decision , when we get back from vacation, I think I'm going to start on body parts when we return. I think it would be fun to take the body over to the blasters and just start with that. I don't want to have too much blasted, the body is plenty. Needs a lot of attention Once floor pans, holes, rust holes, firewall modification for the wiper motor, possible radiator support mod for a larger radiator , you know what I'm writing about

 

The cooler weather is getting to you.

 

, we're heading up to Phily to see our daughter next week, she's a psychiatrist. IT's much cooler there; I don't do well with the cold, and I can't tell you how much I despise going to the airport, TSA, airplanes! However here in Houston/cypress, it's muggy/rainy/gloomy/; maybe when we return it will be better. This time of the year starts getting a little testy~ birthdays, Thanksgiving, of course Christmas~ kids visiting, us visiting, etc. and let's not forget about getting presents for everyone. Folks ask me what I want for Christmas, get me anything in Harbor Freight, a nice set of screwdrivers, a new die grinder, welding gloves, etc I'm just whinning