Gringo's Charger.

R.RUNNER · Post by **R.RUNNER** » Sun Aug 31, 08 6:35 am

Anyway Mr. Runner, what do you mean 'Dealer'.

[/quote]

Well, somebody was on "DRUGS" when that deal took place........................................

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Sun Aug 31, 08 10:19 am

I must be privileged to get MrRUNNER'S support.

I would sympathise with anyone who was landed in my position. I reckon it's cost me over £1500 to get through the MoT, and that's with people doing me favours. Thanks to all who helped me this far.

bruvmopar · Post by **bruvmopar** » Sun Aug 31, 08 11:03 am

Congrats, On Getting Your Ticket, Mark.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Sun Aug 31, 08 12:15 pm

bruvmopar wrote:Congrats, On Getting Your Ticket, Mark.

Thanks Bruv, and thanks for your contribution.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Thu Oct 09, 08 7:52 pm

Been collecting parts for the new engine, and stripping the engine for inspection and rebuild. It was sold to me with a knocking bottom end...

Well, after dropping the pistons out and lifting out the crank, it turns out 4 out of 5 main bearings are severly scored, 1 piston ring disintegrated and 1 was in two halves, most of the big end bearings are scored, and number 2 con rod has no bearing at all! That would explain the knocking when turning the crank by hand.

Crank is in local machine shop for inspection to see if it can be saved. It seems the previous owner was a bit of a bodger. One of the core plugs in the head had a 2p piece araldited in it's place. It has a variety of stripped/cross thread bolts. Seems to be an awful lot of sludge in the water ways. A stray nut dropped out of one of the heads.

I want to get the block dipped and the con rods inspected. Who would be best, and reasonably local to me in Wiltshire?

I love working on the motor, but the heavy crank and heads are playing havoc with my dodgy back now. Looking forward to reassembly.

R.RUNNER · Post by **R.RUNNER** » Thu Oct 09, 08 8:53 pm

Gringo wrote:Been collecting parts for the new engine, and stripping the engine for inspection and rebuild. It was sold to me with a knocking bottom end...
Well, after dropping the pistons out and lifting out the crank, it turns out 4 out of 5 main bearings are severly scored, 1 piston ring disintegrated and 1 was in two halves, most of the big end bearings are scored, and number 2 con rod has no bearing at all! That would explain the knocking when turning the crank by hand.
Crank is in local machine shop for inspection to see if it can be saved. It seems the previous owner was a bit of a bodger. One of the core plugs in the head had a 2p piece araldited in it's place. It has a variety of stripped/cross thread bolts. Seems to be an awful lot of sludge in the water ways. A stray nut dropped out of one of the heads.

I want to get the block dipped and the con rods inspected. Who would be best, and reasonably local to me in Wiltshire?

I love working on the motor, but the heavy crank and heads are playing havoc with my dodgy back now. Looking forward to reassembly.

It sounds like you got the engine from the same bloke that you got the car from.................what was his name again????????????????????? "Honest Joe`s car sales"

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Oct 10, 08 8:00 am

May be R. Runner, but even though the engine was shagged, it was totally original shagged.

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Fri Oct 10, 08 5:09 pm

Yeah I'm a great judge of character.

I knew it was knocking, but I didn't expect quite that much damage. Anyway, heard back from the machine shop today and it looks like the crank is ok for a grind.

I'll be happy once I know where I am with the block and con rods.

R.RUNNER · Post by **R.RUNNER** » Fri Oct 10, 08 5:18 pm

Gringo wrote:Yeah I'm a great judge of character.

I knew it was knocking, but I didn't expect quite that much damage. Anyway, heard back from the machine shop today and it looks like the crank is ok for a grind.
I'll be happy once I know where I am with the block and con rods.

Might be cheaper to buy a "CRATE" motor................ask "NIPPER"??????

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Fri Oct 10, 08 7:27 pm

R.RUNNER wrote:
Gringo wrote:Yeah I'm a great judge of character.

I knew it was knocking, but I didn't expect quite that much damage. Anyway, heard back from the machine shop today and it looks like the crank is ok for a grind.
I'll be happy once I know where I am with the block and con rods.

Might be cheaper to buy a "CRATE" motor................ask "NIPPER"??????

I'm keen to build my own motor, but you're probably right.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Oct 10, 08 11:57 pm

Tell you what Gringo, R.Runner is bang on the money. Nipper bought a lovely crate 440, with ally heads, all the ancilliaries and (I think) it was a genuine 600bhp motor straight from the crate.

John Castleman whipped the old lump out, repaired, straightened and sprayed the engine bay and fitted the motor. It looked fantastic. The crate motor cost A LOT less than it will cost for a standard rebuild here in the UK.

Worth considering guv'nor

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Sat Nov 22, 08 7:54 pm

BIG SHOUT to Kiwi for coming over and helping strip the old motor and 'box out today. Kiwi, you're a good guy, and I owe you one (or two).

Cheers dude.

Work in progress on the 440. Will post some news when I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere with it. 383 now up for sale, check out the 'For Sale' section.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Nov 23, 08 2:11 pm

that kiwi is a good bloke going to be alot of mopars out there with the kiwi touch on it soon

Gringo · Post by **Gringo** » Tue Jan 27, 09 9:10 pm

It's starting to happen. Some tiny pictures taken on my camera phone...

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jan 27, 09 9:25 pm

looking good mate, glad to see your making some good progress now, keep it up