72Q-code
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
- Messages
- 92
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- Location
- Columbus Ohio
- My Car
- 72 Q-code Mach 1, 351C 4 speed.
72 F Mach 1, 302 Automatic W/air.
OK,
Here comes another “what to do with the engine” thread, be forewarned
The engine came out of my car and went on the stand in late 2002. When I removed it the engine was running healthy, happy, other than some leaking valve stem seals. According to the previous owner it was rebuilt in the early 90’s (I have owned it since 95) and it has less than 10,000 miles on that rebuild. I planned this to be a winter freshen up the engine bay, then go right back in spring of 2003. Fast forward to now, eight years later, and thanks to rust findings and having kids the engine is still on the stand.
The engine compartment itself is now ready, and I am turning attention to the engine. I power-washed the engine this weekend. Now I need to decide what to do next. Originally I planned on cleaning the block and heads with a wire wheel and painting them, and removing the covers, pan, and intake to media blast and do the same. Install new valve stem seals, reassemble, and drive.
Now I am beginning to wonder if that is my best option. As long as the engine has been idle, and since it is out already, should I dig in deeper? It has been sitting but in a climate controlled garage, should I worry about rust on the crank/cam/other places? I am not sure if I have one piece stainless exhaust valves, but I have read enough to know that if I do not I probably should. Should I go ahead and plan on disassembling the whole engine, have the block and heads hot tanked and checked at a machine shop and then reassemble? Perhaps I need to get the pan and intake off first to evaluate further…
My goals for this engine are a reliable street weekend cruiser with no need for big horsepower gains. It would be nice to keep the costs to a minimum, but if I should spend a little money now to save a bunch later I will. I can do the disassembly and reassembly myself (with a little help from my friends here if needed. I also would really like to get this car back on the road soon. Early this summer would be ideal, it has just been WAYY too long.
To further complicate my decisions, I also have a nice set of (supposedly) rebuilt two barrel heads and an Edelbrock aluminum dual plane intake like this:
http://www.hawkinsspeedshop.com/year-end-blowout-sale/edelbrock-performer-intake-manifolds-intake-manifold-performer-dual-plane-aluminum-natural-square-bo.html
My original plans were to reinstall the last known running configuration of 4V heads and stock cast iron intake then swap to the other stuff later to see what net gains I saw. Now, am I better off just building it that way from the start? I have 3:50 gears (recently verified after thinking they were 3:91’s) and a 4 speed FWIW.
Right after removal circa 9/2002:
As it has sat on the stand since then:
Thoughts?
~Jim
Here comes another “what to do with the engine” thread, be forewarned
The engine came out of my car and went on the stand in late 2002. When I removed it the engine was running healthy, happy, other than some leaking valve stem seals. According to the previous owner it was rebuilt in the early 90’s (I have owned it since 95) and it has less than 10,000 miles on that rebuild. I planned this to be a winter freshen up the engine bay, then go right back in spring of 2003. Fast forward to now, eight years later, and thanks to rust findings and having kids the engine is still on the stand.
The engine compartment itself is now ready, and I am turning attention to the engine. I power-washed the engine this weekend. Now I need to decide what to do next. Originally I planned on cleaning the block and heads with a wire wheel and painting them, and removing the covers, pan, and intake to media blast and do the same. Install new valve stem seals, reassemble, and drive.
Now I am beginning to wonder if that is my best option. As long as the engine has been idle, and since it is out already, should I dig in deeper? It has been sitting but in a climate controlled garage, should I worry about rust on the crank/cam/other places? I am not sure if I have one piece stainless exhaust valves, but I have read enough to know that if I do not I probably should. Should I go ahead and plan on disassembling the whole engine, have the block and heads hot tanked and checked at a machine shop and then reassemble? Perhaps I need to get the pan and intake off first to evaluate further…
My goals for this engine are a reliable street weekend cruiser with no need for big horsepower gains. It would be nice to keep the costs to a minimum, but if I should spend a little money now to save a bunch later I will. I can do the disassembly and reassembly myself (with a little help from my friends here if needed. I also would really like to get this car back on the road soon. Early this summer would be ideal, it has just been WAYY too long.
To further complicate my decisions, I also have a nice set of (supposedly) rebuilt two barrel heads and an Edelbrock aluminum dual plane intake like this:
http://www.hawkinsspeedshop.com/year-end-blowout-sale/edelbrock-performer-intake-manifolds-intake-manifold-performer-dual-plane-aluminum-natural-square-bo.html
My original plans were to reinstall the last known running configuration of 4V heads and stock cast iron intake then swap to the other stuff later to see what net gains I saw. Now, am I better off just building it that way from the start? I have 3:50 gears (recently verified after thinking they were 3:91’s) and a 4 speed FWIW.
Right after removal circa 9/2002:
As it has sat on the stand since then:
Thoughts?
~Jim
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