Engine Tear Down

Tore down the engine yesterday. A friend of mine has a shop, and the expertise, so it was good to have him help me tear it down. That was the first time I had been that deep into one. The diagnosis:

Block: some wear, but no issues otherwise.
Heads: One head looks fine, but the other may need some work. Several valves are seated deeper than the others.
Valves: 3 Valves have worn tops, which may also need rocker arms.
Cam: Looks ok, not too much wear.
Crank: Looks ok, will need to mic in order to determine wear.
Crank Bearings: Look ok, we starting to wear off top coating.
Rod Bearings: Same a Crank bearings.
Rod Seats: Look ok, will need to check for round and open up if they are egg shaped.
Pistons / Rings: Look ok.

Overall the engine showed it's wear of 180,000 miles. There was nothing terribly wrong with it, however it was time re-build based on the wear on the bearings. It is much easier to rebuild an engine that is worn rather than one that is broken. The timing chain was wore out, but that is expected. We are going to put in the following kit:

Master Rebuild Kit with:

Pistions
Rings
Cam Shaft
Cam Bearings
Rod Bearings
Crank Bearings
Seals
Freeze Plugs - Upgrade to stainless or brass
Oil Pump
Double Row Timing Chain / Sprockets

Then we are adding:

Harmonic Balancer
Oil Pump Shaft
Rocker Arms and Valves we need
Valve Seats we may need

Engine Parts Coming Off

Here are a few pics of the engine being torn down. I got it mounted on an engine stand. The water pump, distributor, wiring, and fuel pump are off. So far it looks pretty good, I am going to need a new fly wheel due to 40 years of starting. There were also some weird spacers and washers on the starter. Next is pull the thermostat housing, main pulley, and carb.

Engine's Out - Now What?

Well. Its out. This went really smooth with the help of a lift and load balancer. Now that I have the engine out, there are a couple of things left on the firewall and the front is stripped to the metal. Now I can send the engine out to be rebuilt and start cutting welds to get that frame rail out. The other major project is to clean up and store all of the parts. My shop is a wreck.

Engine Ready to Come Out

Here is a quick update of recent progress. I have all of the steering and suspension out of the front end. I have the muffler out and the drive shaft removed. I bought an engine lift, so I am ready to pull the running gear. I did splurge for some coil spring compressors as well. I thought there wasn't any pressure on them when the control arms were loose, but it had enough force to fly about 8 feet across the shop. There is a nice glamour shop of my new welder too. It's alsmost ready to do some work.

Work Summary:

Pull Front Suspension - Done - 6/14/2009
Broke Bolt on Sway Bar. Need all new bushings.

Remove Front Brake Lines - Done - 6/14/2009
Broke Line from Master Cylinder to Dist Manifold

Remove Steering Box / Links - Done - 6/14/2009
Need all new bushings / etc

Remove Drive Shaft - Done - 6/16/2009
Needs new U Joints

Remove Drive Shaft Tunnel Brace - Done - 6/16/2009

Remove Muffler - Done - 6/16/2009
Had to Cut in Half to get out of car

Unhook Heater Core Hoses - Done - 6/16/2009

Progress Update

I have done more work on the car than posting, so here is an update of all of the work and then a few pictures. I have most of the front out, I lack the suspension and steering, then I can pull the motor. My goal is to have the entire front cleared out so that I can do all of the metal repair and then prime and paint. I will have to pull the dash out since I have some leaks.

Remove Fender Mount Brackets LH/RH - Done - 5/13/2009

Need to be blasted and painted.

Remove Voltage Regulator - Done - 5/13/2009

Mounts on LH Front wall beside radiator. Cap goes up.

Drain / Remove Radiator - Done - 5/13/2009

One bolt was on with nut, not body nut.

Remove Top Radiator Hose - Done - 5/13/2009

Hose clamps are not original style.

Remove Fan Belt - Done - 5/13/2009

Remove Washer Fluid Reservoir - Done - 5/13/2009

Remove Hood Scoops - Done - 5/14/2009

Both have small break in thin section. May need to weld.

Remove Hood Turn Lights/Harness - Done - 5/14/2009

Remove Hood Trim - Done - 5/14/2009

Remove Hood - Done - 5/16/2009

Front undersupport ribs have a lot of rust. Will need careful repair.

Remove Hood Hinges - Done - 5/17/2009

Remove Alternator - Done - 5/17/2009

Bottom Bolt Broke.

Remove Starter Solenoid - Done - 5/17/2009

Ground Bar Under Solenoid is destroyed.

Remove Battery Cables - Done - 5/17/2009

Pull Wiring Harness out of Engine Bay - Done - 5/17/2009

Broke a couple of the plastic mounts.

Fenders

Here are some pictures showing the bottom of the left and right fenders. The left is in pretty good shape, the right is missing the bottom. There is something interesting about the left fender and the white stripe, it looks like that side has had body work at some point.

I Need a Bigger Shop!!!

I think I may have to store some parts under my bed!! Here are some pics with the fenders, doors, and all the front end off. Nothing to surprising so far except I am a little puzzled on the drivers side firewall. There is rot thru the fire wall under the cowl vents, but looking up inside of the cowl vents, they don't look too bad. I am going to use a couple of cups of water to find out where the leak is. The driver's fender has also had some work in the past, because there is primer under the lower trim, but not body color.

Work summary from yesterday's progress.

Remove RH Fender-Done-5/2/2009
Fender Inside support will need replacement

Remove Outside Lower Edge Trim LH-Done-5/2/2009
Trim has a sheet metal screw thru it on the front from old repair.

Remove LH Fender-Done-5/2/2009
In Good Shape. Has been worked on before

Remove Wheel Spash Guard LH/RH-Done-5/2/2009
May Need new Rubber.

Remove RH Door-Done-5/2/2009
One Hing Plate has a stripped thread.

Remove LH Door-Done-5/2/2009

Check Passenger Torque Box-Done-5/2/2009
May need replacement. Has Rust Near Frame Tie In