Mopar Muscle Association UK

OK, so this is the first time I have ever removed cylinder heads. Compared to what I have found so far, this looks a bit crusty to me

Appears to be 1973 J heads on a block thats casted 1971 Post emissions smaller inlet valves then?

Any cleaning tips or am I being too picky?

I have pics of each piston head in the cylinder but the internet is on a rural go slow so they might have to wait

Had a little clean up this morning, just to see what was stamped in the top of the pistons as I'm a newbie engine stripper

It would appear that the pistons have been replaced at some stage, I think these are aluminium. Sorry, alooominum

I cant see any signs of scoring in the bores. Any views on should I strip it all out for a proper clean?

Cheers, James.

all pistons are ali mate ,its had a rebore to +40,maybe worth having a look at your bearings while its out,and throw a new timing chain in and see what cam it is ,its a mopar perforemance purple jobbie in there ,is there a step at the top of the bores ,if nothing major id say its fine,,pistons look a fair way up the bore too looking at the heads ,shes been running spot on,looks like a nice motor

terryr wrote:all pistons are ali mate

lives and learns, every day's a school day

I was in the very capable hands of Pete Wiseman yesterday afternoon who very kindly came over to my workshop and guided me in the ways of dismantling and identification I'm extremely grateful and thank you very much for your time, Pete

Bearings are standard (dated 1999) so yes mate I'm going to replace and Pete has advised, as you have, to replace the timing chain while I'm there.

Heads are ready for a proper clean up, valve seats etc. Then simply pop her back together and ready for spring

Cam lift measured with Petes new dial gauge but not duration, suspecting its a little longer than stock.

Hoping to get some time on it later today

good ole pete,,he didn't try to tempt you with pushing a big block in the car then

terryr wrote:good ole pete,,he didn't try to tempt you with pushing a big block in the car then

As it happend, I do have a spare!!

I think my personal taste on engine design is well-known, if not agreed!

It is a lovely car and converting it would spoil it for road use.

Everything was in really good condition, apart from the Chain which Terry also mentioned.

was it a dual on there pete ,looks like its had some effort put into it ,don't take long for them to stretch ,,about 10 minutes

Yep, Terry, a double Roller.

I said to James before I even checked it that it would need changing, and Hey Presto! you can flop it around with a screwdriver!

Luke is doing his Duke of Edinburgh and part of it is to learn and complete a new skill, so welding and fabrication it is, handy that

I'm not allowed to teach or assess as we are related but my employees can I just come up with the projects

Here is a prototype small block rotating cylinder head work stand, how handy cheers Luke

Late picking up this thread matey....it looks great!

Im saving it for tomorrow. Will fire up the coffee percolator in the morning and have a good trawl through it

Cheers Steve

Having been away for work last week we are now back on it
Pistons out and cleaned, crank out and clean so tomorrow should be new bearings and plastigauge so I can start getting things back together

Looking good!

Cheers Pete, I should have taken a "before" picture really. The Pistons had burn marks past the first ring then some light yellow staining past the second ring so not so bad I guess.

Any tips on removing the third ring or leave alone as it all seems ok?

We have turned a corner (tentatively) and it's finally assembly time. Just about to plastigauge and then hopefully crank bearings done

Hi James,

Can you take a picture of the crankshaft, damper and back of Converter.
Then you/we can determine your BALANCING.

No balancing done to the con-rods (from picture), so factory stock set-up.

Yabs