My Coronet 440

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 10:35 pm

I imported it a year ago, on a tight budget and hoping to get it running and use it...
Originally a 318. The previous owner had fitted a 440 but now it didn't run. So it sat for a few years. I found it on Craigslist and bought it. It only needed a bit of engine work right? Well the car is solid as a rock so only a bit of tinkering will sort it.
Not.

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 10:42 pm

Got it running. But only on about 5 cylinders. Long story short. Flat camshaft and ruined lifters.
Engine difficult to turn over by hand..
removed engine and stripped it. Scrap.
Bearings all ruined. Block cracked through to cylinders.

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 10:43 pm

I'll buy another 440. There'll be loads about. Not.

Tracked a "good" one down in a jensen.

Removed it with one of my best mates on the hottest day of the year..

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 10:46 pm

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 10:47 pm

It was hot

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 10:51 pm

The more I stripped off the "good" engine the worse it looked.
But I had travelled nearly 200 miles and myself and my mate had took a day off work so with a renegotiated price we carried on and took the engine.
The box came with it as a good will gesture for the not so good engine...

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Apr 28, 15 10:52 pm

OooooHH!

That does not look too good!

Check the heads to make sure they are OK, I think Jensens had a reputation for overheating due to the small radiators dictated by the Hood line....

Good luck with the build, I am just doing a 440 myself....quite therapeutic...

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:02 pm

Well since then...

The jensen engine was stripped . The bores were Bananarama!.
I had a choice. Bite the bullet and proper rebuild or find another good engine.. so I ordered new pistons and a complete overhaul kit from America.

While waiting for my goodies to come alot of cleaning went on.

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:07 pm

Steam cleaned. And then submerged in a barrel of molasses and water for a few weeks. And then steam cleaned again.
I had heard that molasses removed corrosion bit never believed it. So this was an experiment . And it works a treat. The block is really clean. Not sure if the pictures do it justice really . It was so crusty before. I kept of from rusting again by spraying it with duck oil. And rubbing it lovingly quite regularly.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:10 pm

Molasses? Really? Are you sure you didn't buy a new one?

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:12 pm

Pistons and kit arrived. Took the block to be bored and checked etc.
At a place in Northampton called automotive services. Really happy with their work.

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:14 pm

Stu wrote:

Molasses? Really? Are you sure you didn't buy a new one?

Haha yep! Bonkers ain't it. YouTube search it. Molasses for rust removal. Amazing.

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:15 pm

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:15 pm

I need a car size tub of molasses, then...

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Apr 28, 15 11:15 pm