Ruby's engine rebuild-Rev1

[efhughes3]

Thanks Jeff. The hard part is over, the heavy spending is done!

[johnnywishbone]

email sent

[efhughes3]

Well, finally, the work has started. Got the engine out via a garage party yesterday:






Started stripping it down today. I'll do some exterior cleaning next weekend before opening any of the internals up. I'm not opening the case, so cleanliness will be a prime concern. It's almost harder doing it this way than stripping everything down and making it as new, then building up from there. Everything that bolts to the case will be made as new, but again, caution is prudent.

[efhughes3]

Well, how is this for a bit of a sobering surprise? My motor mount or console is severely cracked. It looks like heat treating gone wrong. Interesting to note, Pete Zimmermann relayed to me that he saw this happen to a few '84's, maybe Targas, a number of years ago. It was bad enough that they made it a point to inspect the mount on any car they worked on. I've had Ruby's engine out twice, the most recent two years ago-no issues were evident at that time.

Or, I can say I'm thinking it was the severe torque she already put out, coupled with my driving extracting the most out of her...

At any rate, something to look out for:

[Buckterrier]

Wow Ed, good news/bad news deal. Expensive item, (aren't they all on our girls?)

[efhughes3]

Only expensive new...I found several for $75. I'm just going to make sure and keep an eye on this when the motor is back it.

[Buckterrier]

very cool. When I had the 3.6 rebuilt the shop welded a gusset on the right, (passenger side), support. I guess they've seen that side break from the torque.

[efhughes3]

Hmm, that is interesting. I may check into this. The fact that this cracked like this would lead me to believe it is high strength steel or heat treated, which means I'd not be quick to weld myself. But worth exploring, thanks Mark.

[Buckterrier]

Ed, I looked at the build sheet. He say they 'modified the rear engine hanger'. I'll go into the garage and see if I can get a picture.

[Buckterrier]

Opps you are talking motor mount. Could still be worth looking into depending on what kind of torque you are going to have. I believe Silin is at 258.

[Buckterrier]

Here it is Ed. If you'd like I'll talk with the shop and find out what all they did. I believe they cut a wedge out then fit the gusset. May be mistaken.

[efhughes3]

Ahh, I believe I've seen beefed up horizontal bars. Mine is the chunk that bolts to the case and covers the crank pully. I've called it the "motor mount", but I think PET calls it a "console".

[lindy 911]

Mine was cracked on my '78 SC but not as bad. I had the crack ground out and TIG welded. Cost about $30 to fix and it's right. I don't believe the part is heat treated.

Lindy

[efhughes3]

Thanks Lindy, nice to know someone else has seen this. I should probably post this on the main forum. Good warning for folks to inspect theirs.

[efhughes3]

Last night, I ordered a few hundred $ worth of misc from Pelican Parts. Today, I took the headers off, gave her a sponge bath with several cans of CRC brake cleaner, took the camlines, oil cooler and valve covers off-then "bled" her. Tomorrow I'll hopefully get her stripped down to a shortblock and then work on cleaning the head and cam towers. Then-start going in the other direction. It amazes me how many part come off these suckers!

[johnman001]

Good looking engine. Makes mine look filthy. What are you going to do with your existing P/C?

[efhughes3]

Today, I removed the cam drive hardware, chainboxes and head/camtower units off today. I really goofed up though-almost. I didn't pull the dowel pin from the cam sprocket like I meant to before pulling the sprocket. I immediately remembered it when I got the sprocket off the cam, and it was MIA. I was sorely disappointed in myself. I tipped the motor on end, and reached into the case with a magnetic pickup to try and nab it, but got nothing. I tapped on the bottom of the case gently to try and dislodge it, but that didn't do it. I was well into my vulgar vocabulary when it came rolling out of the case and onto the ground. Got to be more careful!! I also pulled the clutch which looks great after 17,000 miles and 5 years.

No progress until next Saturday. I'll take the heads apart then, and get a plan together for cleaning them. I'll probably take them to a shop for cleaning. I may then put the new p's and c's in too.

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by johnman001

Good looking engine. Makes mine look filthy. What are you going to do with your existing P/C?

John-I haven't gotten that far yet in my thinking.

[Jeff Alton]

Ed, looking good!

What type of floor is that in the garage?

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Ed, looking good!

What type of floor is that in the garage?

Thanks Jeff

It is Racedeck tiles. So far-so good after almost two years. Mops up every 6 months and looks new. Floorjacks and jackstands do need some protection.