Yeah it was a hot rod no doubt. It runs just not optimally of course and the converter is un matched. I hear ya about the Magnum swap. I also have the or318 but that needs to be gone through as well and may require machine work.
Heard of it being done, but they won't seal worth a sh**.
Keep your eye on FakeBook Marketplace and Cracklist- not just for the motor itself, but for entire vehicles (trucks, vans, Durangos, Jeep GCs, etc.) that might have a blown transmission, have been hit, are rusted beyond saving (well, maybe not in Phoenix...), and can sometime be picked up whole cheaper than just the engine can be found elsewhere. Take what you need, part out the rest, scrap the carcass, and you might just break even or even turn a slight profit on the whole deal.
Yup on both counts.
Stacking head gaskets? I’ve never done that. What I did do a long was back was use the MP head shim to drop the compression down. It is a .060 thick steel shim you use with a gasket on top. You could use one on both side of you wanted to. I did not. What it did for me was drop the ratio from over a 10-1 engine requiring 93 to an engine that used 87 quite well.
So in pulling the intake manifold do I need to drain the radiator coolant?
Yes. Not entirely, but at least halfway.
Yeah I hear ya but the issue is to fit the hood I needed to remove the carb spacer and subsequently lost my pcv vacuum port. I don’t want to drill out the race manifold for that. Seems like I can pop in a more appropriate manifold and have one that supplies my pcv and works better for the road. It might even be 1/2 shorter which I’ll take as well.
It's there- you just don't see it because of the angle.
I’m surprised to read this. This is a basic thing most know already. Have you worked on any small blocks at all? Big blocks?
The top picture is a newer intake that has the water by pass nipple like a Magnum engine.
I think you need to read a few books. We can’t teach you a step by step of you don’t know the basics to these engines. A “How to rebuild” book should be a must have book n your library.
There are two plugged water ports in the block on each side of the engine. I suggest you pull these out as to drain the water from the heads down to empty the heads best. Emptying the radiator doesn’t get to the heads and such fully. Even tilting the engine helps. The intake also holds some coolent. Tilting the engine a slight bit (via a jack) helps get it all. After all, the less coolant in the oil pan the better.
The top picture is a newer intake that has the water by pass nipple like a Magnum engine.
Trust me, most happy to answer them and help you along with the project. Keep asking questions! Don’t be shy!
I’m 62
