Hemi Barracuda - the end

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Jun 02, 13 11:35 pm

Well, it's all gone horribly wonky bent.

We decided not to take the Barracuda to Gary's picnic as we had just upgraded the cooling system and other changes.

We changed the oil from semi-synthetic to Kendall and immidiately got a 10psi pressure improvement when hot, so that was looking good.

We tried smaller carbs but found they did not flow enough fuel at idle so reverted back to the 850's and the car was idling sound as a pound. 175 degees at idle and 30psi oil. Happy man.

I then blipped the throttle very briefly to 4000rpm to check the bog / pick up as I had put on smaller primary shooters and there was an almight "Bang!" and I immediately shut the car down.

We took the engine out and it has failed catastrophically.

All the short block and the cam is a total write-off.
Block windowed, 1 rod snapped, 2 pistons heavily damaged, sump puncutured in several places. The BCR caps are undamaged and the mains are perfect.

Absolutely gutted.

Due to the heavy pistons used in a hemi, when the Rotating assembly - pistons / crank / rods - were balanced; mallory metal ( basically 4 slugs of Tungsten) were inserted into holes drilled into the crank counter weights. Pretty standard and expensive practice.

2 of the slugs had come out of the crank and one was beaten to death. A third one is lose in the crank.

It seems like it dropped a slug of mallory which then got picked up and was trapped between a rod and the block. Game over.

At least it did not happen on the track, as you would not want all that oil on your slicks...Now I can see why they have Daipers.

So, months of hard work and a fair slice of cash, it's all gone up in smoke.

The only consolation is that the heads are completely undamaged, as are the push rods and rocker gear / valve train.

So, if anyone wants to build themselves a "budget" hemi that makes masses of power, please let me know as the whole top end and 2 inlet manifolds are up for grabs....

Not expecting a lot of discussion or sympathy here, but as people have seen the car out and about they are bound to wonder what is going on.....

Cars, ehh?

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Sun Jun 02, 13 11:41 pm

WHAT A BUMMER PETE,
BLINKIN PAIN THIS RACIN STUFF

Pete_B · Post by **Pete_B** » Sun Jun 02, 13 11:44 pm

Well that mightly Bananarama! Pete

gutted for you mate, I know how hard you were both working to get that car sorted.

mopar_mark · Post by **mopar_mark** » Mon Jun 03, 13 12:13 am

Really sorry to hear that Pete, I can only imagine to begin what your feeling right now ....

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Jun 03, 13 6:24 am

Blimey. That puts it all in perspective.

cadboy · Post by **cadboy** » Mon Jun 03, 13 6:40 am

That is so bad, may be I won't get into racing

Jon Connolly · Post by **Jon Connolly** » Mon Jun 03, 13 7:12 am

Pete

Really sorry to hear this mate, we all push our luck with this old crap.

If there is anything I can do ( lending parts / collecting stuff for you etc ) please let me know

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Jun 03, 13 8:06 am

Really sorry for your loss Pete...I know that the Hemi is a big, expensive beast and that must be totally gutting.

On a side note..
I do know of another Great Ali water block and pistons etc if your considering not being beaten

Steve

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Jun 03, 13 8:08 am

Hi there Steve - thanks fo rthe thought, but it has to be a 440 style block to work, not a 426H one due to the head bolt pattern.

I have heard of the conversion heads being reverted to go on a 426H style block so you never know....

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Jun 03, 13 8:10 am

Damn Pete was it the Stage V 440 /Hemi ?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Jun 03, 13 8:24 am

AllKiller wrote:Damn Pete was it the Stage V 440 /Hemi ?

Yup.

jerry · Post by **jerry** » Mon Jun 03, 13 8:45 am

Really sorry to hear this Pete

Turnip · Post by **Turnip** » Mon Jun 03, 13 9:03 am

Gutted Pete !!!

I know the feeling

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Mon Jun 03, 13 9:20 am

I'm speechless Pete, those gorgeous heads and rocker gear are okay, so thank heaven for small mercies eh?

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Mon Jun 03, 13 9:20 am

This is terrible news I can totally imagine how your feeling Ive had plenty of Bananarama! luck like that myself. But we know you wont be down for long, onwards and upwards to the next project or re-build the Engine.