340 cylinder leakage 40% what went wrong?

[SGBARRACUDA]

When I buy a used classic car I assume nothing! I don't believe anything told to me that I can't verify with my own two eyes. Case in point, I just traded for a built SB 97 Dakota. Owner told me he rebuilt the 727 but the convertor was bad? Right! I wound up pulling the trans and rebuilding it. Front pump was beat to hell on the backside where the yahoo tried to knock it out with a pry bar or something. Had to buy a new convertor also. He said it was a 3.55 "Posi" rear. It was because the spiders were welded. And other Mickey Moused stuff on it. I wasn't surprised because this ain't my first rodeo. The bottom line in this world? BUYER BEWARE! If I can't see it, touch it or feel it, I don't believe it!

 

[TRWRacing]

Agree with you. I trust no one with it comes to salesmen and used cars. At least they got dinged on the BBB. Lesson learned moving forward. It was at least a try, but boy the owner got real defensive.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

The problem is when we go to check out a cool classic ride we tend to look at them thru rose colored glasses. I'm no different. It's best to carry someone who knows car with you that is not interested in the car so he can bring you back down to earth and evaluate the vehicle more objectively.

 

[TRWRacing]

Agree. Hard to do in this case since it was 350 miles away out of state. I was thinking about hiring a Classic Car inspection. I was able to pin point the other issues leaning on tinkering with cars from my HS days. At least has very little filler just in one spot. Body work is the worst. Mechanical stuff is easier to fix. It is what is.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I couldn't agree more. When I look at a Duster ,Barracuda, Dart I am more concerned with the body and uni-body condition over anything else! Paint and body guys are the biggest PIA to deal with.

 

[yellow rose]

I couldn't agree more. When I look at a Duster ,Barracuda, Dart I am more concerned with the body and uni-body condition over anything else! Paint and body guys are the biggest PIA to deal with.

A little weed and whiskey keeps most painters motivated.

I shouldn't make blanket stamens but that seems to be true in most cases. Unless you want to spend 40k on paint and body work.

 

[TRWRacing]

I spent more on this car than I did for my college degree. Lol. But that was only $10k. I just wanted relive my first car. At least it is set from when my son gets it and he can learn something as we pull it apart. He is 15 and getting his drivers license. He wants to take autos in HS next year.

 

[yellow rose]

I spent more on this car than I did for my college degree. Lol. I just relieve my first car. At least it is set from when my son gets it and he can learn something as we pull it apart. He is 15 and getting his drivers license. He wants to take autos in HS next year.

Your boy is lucky. The high school I graduated from killed all of its shop programs in the early 1990's. I went to a school board hearing on it, but the ignorance of the board was appalling and I said screw it and left.

You can't fix stupid and stupid should hurt. The school is now a shell of what it was and the area is a ghetto.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

The time and money your spending with your son is PRICELESS!

 

[nm9stheham]

I guess this did not apply to the Service Manager:
"We examine every car extensively before we purchase so we can weed out the problem cars before they get to the customer."

Define 'problem cars' LOL You have a good attitude; don't let one bad engine effect that!

 

[yellow rose]

Define 'problem cars' LOL You have a good attitude; don't let one bad engine effect that!

As I see it they are all problem cars.

 

[TRWRacing]

New MRL360 is running good and finally enjoying the car. My son has his drivers permit and I have gone with him letting him drive it in an industrial park on a Sunday afternoon.

We have started tearing down the bad 340. Here is the main bearing caps that this 20k on the 20 year old rebuild:

 

[nm9stheham]

Well at least the crank bore seems straight.... such even wear! Just as a pure SWAG, either low oil pressure or a lot of time between startups left the bearings dry.