73 Duster 360 Engine rebuild

[kev73dart]

Hi All

Some of you may be following the progress of my Duster in American Car (I do a monthly slot under Our Yanks) but for those that don't, I thought I would share the fun I am having

So the 360 has been getting tired for a while now, and I got the chance of a 77000 mile 360 out of a Dodge truck last year so I bought it.
We have stripped it and re-ringed and re-shelled it, replaced everything that it needed, new Oil pump and pick up, new sump, as much as we thought it needed.
We got the old lump out in Feb and the new one in place.
Spinning her over without plugs the oil pressure came up well. We connected everything and she burst into life, and sounded sooo sweet.
Since then I have run her around short distances to ensure no problems.
Last Friday I fired her up to move her back into the workshop, and there was a weird bang from the engine. I shut off immediately and we tried turning the engine over manually, it was tight.
We pulled the plugs and the first 7 were fine, the 8th didn't want to come out!
When it did come out the end was smashed to a pulp!!?? We took the valve cover off and found that 1 valve had snapped right under the collet and the rest was getting acquainted with No.7 Piston!
On removing the head, we found a completely smashed piston and a cracked bore
But...things happen for a reason, so I now spending some proper money and Mr Billadeau is building me a nice 408!
I can't wait!

[Dart Vader]

my 360

[pinoccio]

hi kev. how gutted you must be having done all that work. sorry to see the results too. but im interested to know . did you work out how it happened. what I mean by this. how did the valve make contact with the piston. especially as you had this motor running sweet and with no problems to start with. I ask this for all of us who like to build our own engines. and maybe safeguard ourselves from similar issues. im engine mad too. and always rebuild my own engines on whatever im restoring. hope your next motor offers you no problems next time you rebuild it. regards reggie

[theseoldcars]

Ouch!

[Blue]

Bugger, from the picture it just looks like straight forward metal fatigue, just bad luck I guess.

[kev73dart]

Hi All

Dave B did the analysis and I am probably not going to explain it as well as he could, but the aftermarket Com Cams valve springs were correct for the cam, but they were recoiling before the valve reached it's extent of travel causing the valve to snap, he says it was about 150 thou out.

Dave - if you read this and can explain better, please do!

If we had rebuilt using standard parts all the way through, we would have been fine, but the lesson I have learnt is if you are going away from standard either ensure you fully understand the tolerances or leave it to someone who does!

Cheers
Kev

[Pete]

Do you mean "Coil-bind"?

I have seen that recently on an expensive car with an engine built by another "expert".....

[octanejunkie]

Holy smokes! Thats a rotten bit of luck. Bummer.

[Dave81]

Bad luck Kev!
Bet the 408 will wake it up a bit!!!

[kev73dart]

Hi All

The back lights on my duster have always frustrated me a tad, because the offside one is virtually pink (faded) and the nearside one is proper deep Red.
I came across VHT rear lens paint and I have to say I am very impressed.
After very careful masking, I gave both lens a few coats and then applied a couple more to the offside one until they looked even.
I followed this with a couple of coats of clear lacquer and the result looks great.
Apologies, one of the pics is a bit blurred.

Cheers

Kev

[ScottyDave]

That does look good I'm impressed

[kev73dart]

Hi All

I collected my freshly built 408 from Mr Billadeau on Saturday.
It looks awesome and made 416hp on the dyno, and 482 ft lbs of torque.
Just need to find time to get it fitted now so I can make the Nats!!

[Pete]

[cadboy]

that looks very new and nice

[Carl]

Hi All

Some of you may be following the progress of my Duster in American Car (I do a monthly slot under Our Yanks) but for those that don't, I thought I would share the fun I am having

So the 360 has been getting tired for a while now, and I got the chance of a 77000 mile 360 out of a Dodge truck last year so I bought it.
We have stripped it and re-ringed and re-shelled it, replaced everything that it needed, new Oil pump and pick up, new sump, as much as we thought it needed.
We got the old lump out in Feb and the new one in place.
Spinning her over without plugs the oil pressure came up well. We connected everything and she burst into life, and sounded sooo sweet.
Since then I have run her around short distances to ensure no problems.
Last Friday I fired her up to move her back into the workshop, and there was a weird bang from the engine. I shut off immediately and we tried turning the engine over manually, it was tight.
We pulled the plugs and the first 7 were fine, the 8th didn't want to come out!
When it did come out the end was smashed to a pulp!!?? We took the valve cover off and found that 1 valve had snapped right under the collet and the rest was getting acquainted with No.7 Piston!
On removing the head, we found a completely smashed piston and a cracked bore
But...things happen for a reason, so I now spending some proper money and Mr Billadeau is building me a nice 408!
I can't wait!

Damn thats bad luck, but your not alone I had a similar thing happen its all on my workshop thread I ended up totally rebuilding the engine too. Better luck with Dave's engine you wont go wrong there.