Victim 1: The stock engine which came in the Ghia when I bought it. It's a B case which indicates it's a '70 1600SP, which means it's probably not the original engine in the car.
I drove this engine, it had low compression in one hole so it didn't stay in the car long, I put a stock 1600DP in it quickly. Here I do a leakdown test to confirm that #3 exhaust valve is spent.
Intending to overhaul this engine I took my time and prepped external components for reassembly. That means cleaning the intake pre-heater tube and etc. I was lucky and the tube cleaned up.
Endplay was not terrible, I think about .008" which means the case should be usable. Note the jugs look pretty new in the pic.
I pulled the top end off, and Surprise! It was fresh and had a brand new set of stock 85.5mm jugs and pistons in it, the endplay in the top piston ring was at new spec, .017" so it was a fresh engine with virtually no miles. I sent the heads out and had them done which went well, no issues with guides or anything and the bill was $120. That's a good start.....
Crap. The case needs a line bore and the thrust is worn, but not past cutting.
The real problem is the lifter bores, where a couple are super trashed.
See the movie:
That one's spent, it's not worth doing a line bore, thrust cut AND lifter bores in a case that's not original to the car. If it was the original engine maybe, but that's too much money to put into a single relief case.
The funny thing is that I drove that engine and I don't remember any funny noises. You'd think with a lifter bore (and more) that trashed it would have been knocking/tapping to beat the band.
On to Victim #2. This is a dual port, dual relief case of unkown history. It's a complete engine I acquired from a guy's sandrail (which explains the red paint) and has been sitting in my storage building for years. As I inspect it, I see some past butcher has mucked up the OPS. It's been broken off in the case, and then some "mechanic" broke off an Easy-Out in the OPS stub. Oh, this is gonna be fun.
Using a magnet I determine that the OPS was aluminum and the Easy-Out is steel, of course. I lay a flat washer on the stub and fill in the recess with Mig.
Success! I get the broken Easy-Out from the broken OPS.
Next I drill the OPS out slightly larger to fit in a bigger left twist Easy Out.
It comes right out without issue and....
The case is perfect- I didn't even have to chase the threads.
There's just a hint of aluminum shavings in the galley (which "tees" just under the threads) which are easily removed with a Q-tip.
But, crap again, the case is wiped out big time. Not only does it need a line bore, but the rear main loosened up to the point it wore the case .120" at the thrust- almost an eighth inch! The main bearing dowel is egged out and loose in the case.
Put a fork in it, this one's DONE.
On to Victim #3. This a a freebie core that sat outside for years after being blown up. Supposedly it's a '66 1300 which is the first year for the later case. If the case is good it can be used to make a 1300, 1500, or 1600 SP/DP on a single relief case.
Oh, this is gonna be fun. Yes, after removing the intake manifold the head ports are FILLED with gunk and debris of unknown origin.
The heads are stuck really good requiring a serious workout to extract.
Yea, this is gonna be fun.
I bead blast the head for S&G, anyone want to buy a used SP head?
Hmmmm, those jugs look pretty thin, I mike them to find they're slip-in 87s. Somebody been in here before.....
Luckily I have "weapons of mass destruction" to get this bitch apart, it turns out a spun rod bearing was the death sentence.
And the case is not only spent, but it's been line bored .025" already and not worth trying to fix.
Three strikes and you're out, I'm running out of core engines........
