Recent content by Larry Hutchens

Clean gunk type stuff with denatured alcohol that you can get at any hardware store. For rust I would use Evapo-rust, won't damage the metal. Be careful and check the cylinder bore for pitting. Brake fluid tends to absorb moisture from the atmosphere so damage is likely.

Way back when they used ridge reamers so that you could remove the piston without damage to same. If your pistons came out without a problem then there is probably no reason to use the reamer. However, in some cases-not all, there can be interference between the small radius at the ridge & a new...

I have built several of these for small block & big block engines. They have held up well & are fairly easy to build using minimal woodworking skills. Materials: 2 2x10 21" long, 2 1/2" or 5/8" plywood 4 1/2" x 12" long, 1 harbor freight small furniture dolly 11 1/2" x 18". Use deck screws to...

Previously I had posted a tread asking about some specs on a Dodge HD 360 engine w/ exhaust valve rotors. Appreciate all the help & will probably join a forum for Dodge motor homes as suggested by one member. I'm listing some hard learned info on that type cylinder head in case someone needs to...

If you have worked these hardened seats could you give me the usual interference (press) fit that is used. A fit per inch of dia would be OK.

Been doing a lot of research, which means a lot of driving around asking questions. Located my old cyl head guy even though he is retired & questioned him about a few things. If you are rebuilding a set of heads there is no telling how much work has been done prior or the quality of work. A...

Tried that Meling/Clevite #, turned out to be a Mahle # instead. However both are obsolete numbers. I have a local engine builder shop order a set from someone I haven't heard of, some 3 letter designation. Will find out what they are when they get here. He said that I don't have to buy them if...

Thanks for the info. I'll talk to my machinist about the duralast units. I'll probably use the heads I have for the short term & build another set to replace them later on. That or I'll try a set of Enginequest heads that are set up for the LA intake manifold. I have used them on 2 other engines...

You must have a lot more confidence in some of that stuff than I do. Most recent things from Sealed power: timing chain tensioner made in Taiwan, double row timing chain made in Taiwan, main bearings for 3.9 V-6 made in Brazil (one shell had trash imbedded in the babbit layer & scratched a...

I've considered that approach but have trouble relying on aftermarket parts, country of origin usually unknown. Other problems: ex valve w/ rotors slightly larger than valves w/o rotors. Hard seats, again country of origin? Another problem can't find a machine shop that I can trust to install...

Having trouble locating a source for that Melling number. Most Sealed Power & Melling replacement springs that I can find are for the intake valve only which is way too tall. On the modern pistons: know of any that are low compression that are not made in India or some other such place. Lost...

Most spesc for the 360 between the 83 & 88 models the same except the cyl heads. 1) there is no dash number after the 360 on the block. 2) 1st 4 digits are 2B6K. 3) Spark plugs same as 318 360 all the way back to mid 70s. Unaware that they had a plug change until the magnum engines. 4) 4bbl...

Would like to replace springs but they seem to be un-obtainable. Cannot find a source so I'm forced to try & find some aftermarket unit that fits the specs. Problem: can't find the specs, I have my measurements but cannot locate factory specs. FSM not much help, it is as if they made those...

Short block is assembled & used the factory pistons so compression is factory. Not building a perf engine just one for a van that has to be reliable. Simply can't find the valve spring specs for the ex valve w/ rotors.