What are you waiting for Pinto Pete? Hook in - those pickups are cool.
Ron and Brad took the 428 engine out of the yellow Mach 1 yesterday.
Last week when Ron loosened off the sump plug to do an oil change, we were mystified when about a litre of --clean water ( coolant ) drained out of the sump, followed by the oil. EDIT - It was coolant that came out of the sump - not clear water.
Today he took the valley cover and heads off the engine - this is what he found -
Also a couple of rusty pushrods -
The bores themselves look pretty good -
Ron spoke with the chap from the machine shop who suggested the block is stuffed so throw it away. He explained that an old timer welder would possibly have the skills to weld the cracks properly, but none of those blokes are around nowadays.
Jack is also of the opinion the block is stuffed due to the complexities of getting the block hot enough to create a good weld.
I think they are both correct. The owner of the car is calling in shortly to see the bad news for himself. Might be a good idea to fit a crate engine and have done with it, although this is an expense i am sure he was not expecting. Bugger!
The engine bay on the car is not too bad. Just need to repair the towers where a gas axe was used to blow holes for a grease gun -
Followed by a clean and paint.
Here is photo of the car -