Rotting engine.

[mhuppertz]

So, I guess it isn't good for an engine to sit for 23 years. I ran it about 30 minutes that water started gushing out of the front of the intake. This is what I found....

[Divenut]

That would do it! Damn!

[lugnut1962]

You will find more....but starting after 23 years? Don't think I could. Good motor. Not rotting, just needs a lil TLC.

[jimjimjimmy]

wow i never saw that before even on 20 year old chrysler marine engines in salt water

[needsaresto]

At least it's a cheap and easy fix.

[jaimus]

What else you find besides this and bent pushrods??? Any water/antifreeze in oil?? DO NOT tap your freez plugs too hard,...They will leak.

[mhuppertz]

Had to quit tearing it down. Too freaking cold outside!
The water passages in the intake are full of calcium and possibly aluminum flakes.
There is no water in the oil, it was good. There is no sludge at all in the engine. It's a mystery why it ran so well yesterday then all hell broke lose this morning...

[jaimus]

Did you say it was too cold???You guys havin bad weather down there? Cause Its like 55 here at 10 pm...

[mhuppertz]

Originally Posted by jaimus

Did you say it was too cold???You guys havin bad weather down there? Cause Its like 55 here at 10 pm...

Yea, 34 degrees at 8:40pm and threatening to snow. High altitude (even this far south) is pretty unpredictable. I went to get my Dart two weeks ago the car had never seen snow. We brought it home and it snowed 8" on the poor car!

[jaimus]

Oiy,...Keep us posted.

[4spdragtop]

Wow, hard to believe a car thats never seen snow is decaying like that! I wouldnt run it anymore, I would do a complete teardown just to be on the safe side.

[jos51700]

Lack of cooling system maintenance caused that aluminum part to react with the iron and coolant and create a giant battery.

If this car has an aluminum water pump or timing cover (or any other aluminum motor parts in the cooling system), I'd seriously plan on removing them for a thorough inspection.

[mhuppertz]

This was less that two weeks ago!

[mhuppertz]

This is how she looked yesterday after I cleaned her up a bit.

[mhuppertz]

Originally Posted by jos51700

Lack of cooling system maintenance caused that aluminum part to react with the iron and coolant and create a giant battery. If this car has an aluminum water pump or timing cover (or any other aluminum motor parts in the cooling system), I'd seriously plan on removing them for a thorough inspection.

I am pretty sure that's exactly what happened, electrolysis. The water pump is cast iron. Pretty sure the engine is toast at this point after bending pushrods and stuff (see my other post).

[jaimus]

Definitely looks salvagable,....is that an original black plate I see?

[mhuppertz]

Originally Posted by jaimus

Definitely looks salvagable,....is that an original black plate I see?

Yea, the black plates are still on there along with the Van Nuys Dodge plate surrounds. I plan on leaving them on and sticking the New Mexico plate in the rear window.

[jos51700]

Originally Posted by mhuppertz

I am pretty sure that's exactly what happened, electrolysis. The water pump is cast iron. Pretty sure the engine is toast at this point after bending pushrods and stuff (see my other post).

That might be going a little far. Head work maybe, but not toast.

[mhuppertz]

Originally Posted by jos51700

That might be going a little far. Head work maybe, but not toast.

I mean toast for my situation. Since I don't want to run the 273 anyway it has crossed over the "false economy" threshold. I just need to find me a 360 now and start saving for a stroker kit with a scat forged crank....