Coolant leak -hydro locked engine

[nm9stheham]

Scored as in lotsa grooves? My (fortunately) limited experience with too tight a piston-to-bore clearance showed localized dark spots on the piston skirts where the pistons badly scuffed or momentarily seized (the engine just gave an abnormal jerk) , and overheated the piston material in spots. The skirt diameter shrunk due to the localized overheating.

So check the diameters at the skirt in particular, to see if they are normal or not. And the bore diameter to see where the clearance is at as disassembled. Some minor scoring seems to always happen (for me). Maybe yours were just on the margin of scuffing...and it may be lack of oiling or excess chamber heat, not clearances.

Any pix? Head plates used while boring/honing?

 

[Inertia]

If the bores are tight,, it may be possible to machine/polish the scores outta pistons, removing minimal material,, then lightly hone bores to match,, custom.. Saving the pistons..

hope it helps

 

[dwire67]

The bores where too tight .003 and less clearance! Plus I have 2 bent rods from the engine hydro locking.

What a lesson I learned... Never again will I have an engine done out of state
The block has to be honed with a plate
The pistons can be saved,
I had to buy new Connecting rods and all new bearings and new rings.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Would you mind telling us who did it? You might save someone the trouble of making the same mistake.

Glad you figured it all out and that at least your pistons can be reused. You'll get it back going again. You're right on the piston clearance if those are forged. That is a bit too tight, IMO. I like to see forged pistons approaching .005". I know some will scoff at that, but I like a loose engine.

 

[nm9stheham]

If not already done, I would suggest:
- Check the 2 pistons with the bent rods for any distortion of the top ring land and any cracks; might even consider a dye check on them
- Have the crank checked for straightness

 

[dwire67]

If not already done, I would suggest:
- Check the 2 pistons with the bent rods for any distortion of the top ring land and any cracks; might even consider a dye check on them
- Have the crank checked for straightness

Thanks,

I will have him check the pistons, he might have already done so. The crank was checked and it is straight, just needs micro polish from the water

 

[RustyRatRod]

Lemmie ask you.....and this is not meant smartass, it's a straight up question.

Why did you let someone else build something for you? This is really simple to do. If you can read a ruler, you can read a mic. If you can read a book, you can follow assembly instructions.

There are many fine publications available that go over engine building in depth and you can learn very quickly the right way to do it.

I promise, it's not rocket science or black magic. These big time engine builders put their pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us.

 

[dwire67]

Your not being a smartass at all. Looking back , I am not sure... I guess I thought I was getting something I could not build myself. But never again. I have the machinist I use correcting the bores, boiling the block and installing the cam bearing and I am doing the rest. I totally agree with you.. no reason I cannot

 

[nm9stheham]

I promise, it's not rocker science or black magic. These big time engine builders put their pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us.

Man, this is a classic statement! I learned some time back that if a skilled tech could do it, I can do it. Not everyone can, but many CAN do this. It is a lot about care and following good techniques, and finding a good machinist and asking questions and listening to the answers .....which, like you say, is all out there.

Thanks for saying this.

 

[dwire67]

I know it is not rocket since.. I worked in shop part time back in 1980 knurling guides and installing bronze guides , I was also Ford & Chrysler tech for 10 years after working in local garage. I use to do everything. I have drag raced for years .. I had close friend that use to do my machine work & we would put engines together at his shop, but cancer took him way too soon. That took some wind out of my sails ... then lets say it this way .. I was right there when 9/11 took place and I it cause me some issue's. At 54 I am doing a lot more like I use to.
The Dart is mine race car which this engine was in, The Monte is also mine, I just finished redoing that and The GTO i am working on it for a guy.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Cool I like that body style Monte Carlo. Always wanted to do one up like a factory big block car the way Chevy would have done it. Instead, they plopped the 454 in a stupid half ton truck and called it an SS.

 

[dwire67]

Cool I like that body style Monet Carlo. Always wanted to do one up like a factory big block car the way Chevy would have done it. Instead, they plopped the 454 in a stupid half ton truck and called it an SS.

I agree- that 305 in that is pretty lame

 

[Mopar Tim]

Cool I like that body style Monet Carlo. Always wanted to do one up like a factory big block car the way Chevy would have done it. Instead, they plopped the 454 in a stupid half ton truck and called it an SS.

Was a nice car for sure. I had one with a T top, leaked like crazy in the snow! It was brand new!