What’s next?

DaveBPT

Member
What’s next?

Just got a 30 coupe with locked up motor. Got it spinning pretty quickly. The head gasket had leaked coolant into number 3 cylinder. What all should I do next. Owner says it may not have been run in 20 years.
 
Re: What’s next?

I have the same prodceeedure for any engine that has n0t run in a year o9r more.
1. pull the head, pan and valve cover.
2. clean out the pan and valve trough.
3. check head and block for flatness.
4. check all bearings for correct tolerances, at the same time you will see the condition of the babbetts.
5. Timing gear can also be checked at this time.
6. Make sure that the valves move freely and the valve seats look OK.
7. re-assemble with new gaskets.
8. Clean out the gas tank and gas lines, disassemble the carb and clean it as well. See other posts on the barn for procedures for doing this.
9. alternate plan is to have it rebuilt. That should not be necessary unless you find some problems doing numbers 1 through 8.

There should be no harm in trying to start it after these steps. You may find that you need to check over the electrical system if there is no spark or the timing is off.
Jack
 
Re: What’s next?

For me at least....if water got into a cylinder and sat for 20 yrs. I would at least plan on new rings...as a min. But depending on where the water was plan on pulling everything apart just in case.


Mike
 
Re: What’s next?

Take the cylinder head off and investigate the condition of the cylinders, especially No.3. I would expect to find some rust on the cylinder walls, and pitting in the extreme case. Pitting that is swept by the rings requires the engine to be rebuilt by a competent shop.
 
Re: What’s next?

All the above is great...but I would include getting the block checked for cracks...especially in that #3 cylinder area. The head gasket may have been just fine. It could have been a crack letting coolant into the cylinder.
 
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