OZ Duster

[OZ Duster]

Originally Posted by 98ssnova

Very nice car down under... what are your plans for the motor now that you spunthe bearing?

The new motor as gone in. I am going to tear down the old engine and assess the damage. If things work out it will get worked over for some more poke.

At the moment just want to get her out on the road and enjoy it, all of the intended work will be done on the side to limit the time off the road.

[OZ Duster]

Originally Posted by OZ Duster

The new motor as gone in. I am going to tear down the old engine and assess the damage. If things work out it will get worked over for some more poke.

At the moment just want to get her out on the road and enjoy it, all of the intended work will be done on the side to limit the time off the road.

While sorting some crap in the shed found twenty minutes to pull the heads of the old motor. This engine must have got an absolute flogging from the owner in the states. On closer inspeection there is a lot of damage to the cam lobes. I dont think they are related to the dropped piston as a lot of the nicks and dags look old.



The piston has let go of the rod. No damage to the the top of the bore or the rest for that matter. There are small marks in the piston heads from the valves which I think may be some movement from the crank, and probably some bearing damage to boot.

Will drop the sump off and have a look at the rods etc later in the week.

[mikespeed95]

sorry bout your engine troubles, what engine did you put in for now?

[OZ Duster]

Originally Posted by mikespeed95

sorry bout your engine troubles, what engine did you put in for now?

A 318 reco with a mild cam (specs unknown) little lumpier than the old motor.

As time and money permit will look at working the old motor over.

[OZ Duster]

Entered the car in a show next saturday so time for a clean up. A few hours with a machine polisher and a good coat of wax.



When cleaning inside decided that the dash just was not going to cut it.



After a lot of carefull masking and then a quick spray of gloss black to eliminate the groty green. Has really changed the feel of the interior looks 100% better. Now just need to replace the crash pad and restore the instrument cluster with some new guage inserts and a new overlay.

[GregWeld]

That is the weirdest engine damage I've ever seen.... it almost appears that the PISTON was revolving in the bore and getting smacked by the valves... and we know that just didn't happen... because there is nothing that would rotate the piston. Unless the rod somehow is "loose/broken" and hanging down just enough to get touched by the crank and that somehow rotated it... But that doesn't sound plausible either, since that would really have to major interference in the crankcase. Now I'm just dying to see the bottom-end.

[OZ Duster]

Have decided to do some work with the boot. Removed the Sub box after disconneting the amp and cables.

The boot goes a fair way back under the rear parcel shelf so I am thinking of using the space for storage, jack, tools etc.

Mocked up a false floor and worked out what angles to use. Still striking some problems with the fuel tank filler tube. Need to work out if the side panels are going to be vertical or slope in toward the wheel recess.





This is close to what I have in mind,



Other than using the sides of the boot for storage (limited in size) I also like the idea of the exposed spare wheel. I still need some room for a smaller single sub box as the twin 10" subs will get the flick. Any suggestions welcome.

[4thechallenge]

I'm very impressed... I'm glad to see another mopar!
Great color combo and awsome look

[OZ Duster]

Completed the first stage of the boot fit out.

Measured up and cut the main part of the floor in 10mm MDF and the outer sections in some left over particle board used on door trims.



Cut out the recess for the wheel. Measured five times cut once. Then measured up the carpet and carefully cut around the perimeter and then the fuel filler tube. I left a little bit of carpet overhanging the wheel recess for a tight fit. Wheel went in nice and snug.



The Sub box was refitted and the dodgy wiring fixed up to avoid a fire. :raisedeye





That will do for now (nothing like being stooped over for a couple of hours to stuff your back). Next stage will be the side panels and mounting points for a few tools and cleaning gear.