Engine builders...Now what?

Posted By: Slider

Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 12:27 AM

Hi, all!

I bought a project 68 Barracuda with the engine out of it. The engine (318) came with it, just separate, and is currently residing on my garage floor. The previous owner said he removed it because it blew a rear seal, and he wanted to freshen it up (rebuild it) while it was out. The engine looks to be basically back together except for the intake and valve covers (which also came with it, just not installed).

My question is, how much do I trust what was done? Granted, it is 'just' a 318, and this isn't what I would consider a rare car, but it _is_ the original engine.

Do I just drop it in, and hope for the best?

Is there a break-in procedure that I should follow, just in case?

Should I have someone tear it apart and go through it? (And, does nybody have a ballpark on what it might cost?)

I am open to suggestions.

Posted By: wicked

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 01:10 AM

I have learned not to trust anything, tear it down and inspect

Posted By: BigTerry

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 01:28 AM

Quote:

I have learned not to trust anything, tear it down and inspect

Posted By: vdriver

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 01:35 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I have learned not to trust anything, tear it down and inspect

Better to do it now while it's out.

Posted By: MoparforLife

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 01:41 AM

As long as it is already out it isn't much of a job to pull the pan and check out the bearings. I would also MAKE SURE that there is new timing chain installed.

Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 01:48 AM

How much background do you have in engines? If there are problems will you recognize them? If it were me for the price of a gasket kit I'd tear it down & have a look but if you aren't gonna have any more skill than the previous person working on it.....

Posted By: vdriver

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 01:52 AM

Years ago I bought an old boat with a "rebuilt" 413 in it. Didn't care if it was rebuilt or not; I just wanted the old tub for a bunch of hardware it had on it - steering stuff, v-drive unit, crank, etc. Got the whole thing dirt cheap.

Just for grins I took it out for a spin and it ran horrible. Big deal; didn't buy it for the 413 anyway. When it came time to strip it I found hand a couple of hand-tight head bolts, and the flywheel had 3 bolts holding it on - one of which was halfway backed out with stripped threads.

I've never trusted anybody's "rebuild" ever since.

Posted By: StandOnIt

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 02:10 AM

I don't even trust myself sometimes. never mind what someone else tells me. Have it checked or freshened yourself so you know exactly what ya have. If it was already freshened as the guy said, a check and gasket replacement is cheap.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 02:15 AM

Quote:

How much background do you have in engines? If there are problems will you recognize them? If it were me for the price of a gasket kit I'd tear it down & have a look but if you aren't gonna have any more skill than the previous person working on it.....

Get to know someone who may do some motor wrenching. Learn some stuff.
A factory service manuel for your year 318 will instruct you 99.5% and the rest is right here.

YOU GOT TO HAVE ONE TO REBUILD YOUR MOTOR.

You definitly should take it apart before running it. You should do it, it will be very rewarding and that's what these old cars are about.

I'm thinking you may find someone that might dis assemble and re assemble it for around $500-750 labor plus gaskets or parts. If the gaskets were put on right, a lot of them will be reusable too. You should do it.

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 02:31 AM

Quote:

Quote:

How much background do you have in engines? If there are problems will you recognize them? If it were me for the price of a gasket kit I'd tear it down & have a look but if you aren't gonna have any more skill than the previous person working on it.....

Get to know someone who may do some motor wrenching. Learn some stuff.
A factory service manuel for your year 318 will instruct you 99.5% and the rest is right here.

YOU GOT TO HAVE ONE TO REBUILD YOUR MOTOR.

You definitly should take it apart before running it. You should do it, it will be very rewarding and that's what these old cars are about.

Pull it apart just to be on the safe side. It will be much cheaper now compared to what it will cost if you install it without checking it and it blows up.

Posted By: Slider

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 03:30 AM

Quote:

How much background do you have in engines? If there are problems will you recognize them? If it were me for the price of a gasket kit I'd tear it down & have a look but if you aren't gonna have any more skill than the previous person working on it.....

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I have NO background in assembly. I already have the factory service manual, though, and am a stickler for research/details. I might just give tearing it down a shot! What's the worst that could happen? LOL!

Seriously, though. If it does grenade, I will have learned something, AND it wouldn't be a $1,000 motor... Hmmm...

Posted By: DartGTS

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 03:43 AM

Hello:
You already have a factory service manual..You are already ahead of 75% of the crowd. It's the most important tool in your tool box.
OK off the soap box.

Yes defintly tear it down yourself. You will gain experience and knowledge that only comes by ratcheting wrenches, instead of jaws.

A quick tip in this day of digital cameras there is no reason not to photo every step you take both tear down and rebuild...these photos can be invualble especially if previous guy screwed it up.

Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 03:55 AM

Quote:

Quote:

How much background do you have in engines? If there are problems will you recognize them? If it were me for the price of a gasket kit I'd tear it down & have a look but if you aren't gonna have any more skill than the previous person working on it.....

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I have NO background in assembly. I already have the factory service manual, though, and am a stickler for research/details. I might just give tearing it down a shot! What's the worst that could happen? LOL!

Seriously, though. If it does grenade, I will have learned something, AND it wouldn't be a $1,000 motor... Hmmm...

Good answer, some might take my first comment as somewhat a$$hole like, I didn't mean it that way & apparently you didn't take it that way.. As was mentioned you've got a manual, you've got Moparts, you live in an area where there are likely other members who might offer a hand.. The engine is already a question mark... Take it apart... In everything inside iis right it cost you a gasket set, if you find & correct a problem your way ahead... The only way to learn is to get dirty...

Posted By: 392charger

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/29/11 06:15 PM

I'd definitely pull it apart and have a look see. My last 440 was bought "rebuilt", and I seriously thought about throwing in the car anfd firing it up. But then a little voice in my head said to tear it down. We all have those little voices right? Anyways, tore it down to find the block was never been hot tanked, the rear main seal installed backwards and the rear cam bearing installed 45 degrees off! Check it yourself, you"ll be glad you did

Posted By: Slider

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/30/11 01:06 AM

Thanks, guys. Looks like I have a new plan! It will probably be a little bit before work allows me to get into it, but I will post pics as I go, and I am SURE I will have questions!

Posted By: topside

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/30/11 02:35 AM

Remember to note everything as you disassemble it, such as wear patterns, clearances, colors (heat-bluing), how easily it spins, oil or water being where it shouldn't...those things are clues as to whether there are problems or if it's basically good and maybe just needs a freshening.

Posted By: Slider

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/30/11 11:47 PM

Thanks, I will definitely do that. I plan to take a ton of pics, and post as I have questions. The engine was already 'freshened up', but I do not know what was done. There won't (shouldn't) be any wear marks, as it hasn't run since before the previous owner p)ulled it out. (He said it has been 'a year or two.' LOL!

Posted By: BDS871Cuda

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/31/11 12:32 AM

Rebuild that 318 and enjoy it. build it for gas
mileage, when gas hits $5 a gallon this summer.
A good 318 with the right tune should get 18-22
mpg easy. A set of 2.76 gears will help also.

I had a 74 Dart 318 2bbl carb with 2.76 gears and it
would roast one tire with ease. Even had the
904 trans and did lots of reverse drops with it.
Trany out lasted the car. Car rusted out long
before the drive train wore out.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Engine builders...Now what? - 03/31/11 12:44 AM

Quote:

Rebuild that 318 and enjoy it. build it for gas
mileage, when gas hits $5 a gallon this summer.
A good 318 with the right tune should get 18-22
mpg easy. A set of 2.76 gears will help also.

I had a 74 Dart 318 2bbl carb with 2.76 gears and it
would roast one tire with ease. Even had the
904 trans and did lots of reverse drops with it.
Trany out lasted the car. Car rusted out long
before the drive train wore out.

My parents had a 73 satelite with 318 904 peg leg. That thing would roast tires too. I got in trouble for ruining right rear tires and too many miles on the odemeter when I was supposed to be in school.

Solved both, learned to reach up under the dash and unplug the speedo cable and would put my own tire on when I got the car. That way I wouldn't destroy dad's tires. lol
Skipped school many times in that car.