A little surprise today

Renaldo · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 09:25 PM

So, I have this ongoing project...mostly "off going" in that while I have been assembling parts and grandiose ideas for the better part of 1.5 yrs, but haven't take the time to start tearing down and rebuilding engines and assemblies....well today I started in that direction.

I bought a suspect used 164S engine off a guy last year who said that the engine had overheated and blew its head gasket...that's 'all he knew.' I was only interested in the short block....the added oiling jets that this block would provide that my current '87 3.0L block does not. Of course, I was hopeful that there would be a descent set of S pistons to use as well. I already have nice GT1 heads prepped by JvR & Glenwood so the S heads, and S cams will eventually be sold.....er, make that 1 head to possibly sell.

Good ol' Jungle Justice stopped by and we threw some wrenches at this old engine to find out what matter of mayhem may have befallen the ol' gal.

Seems, besides the expected milkshake I saw when we pulled the first head, there was definately a big surprise awaiting us when that second head was lifted. Have a gander here!

**Tifosi** · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 09:34 PM

That's the pressure cylinder.

Every time it goes into what one would normally think of as the down stroke, it moves more freely due to the hole which in turn allows the base pressure to be relieved through the open valve port, thus reducing the strain on the remaining cylinders which in turn allows for free-er and high revving. Due to piston shape around the hole, the upstroke actually creates a bit of vacuum in the base while the crown helps 'crowd out' the air like a one way valve.

Makes a cool sound while the engine is running too.

I thought all you performance guys knew that trick.

**SpiderWebb** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 11:19 PM

Ouch!

GERNADE!

Buyer beware of lying sacks of cr**.

**Richard2** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 07:58 AM

Mine looked similar to that except the biggest piece of piston left was about 2" and the liner was shattered.

**Andrew** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 09:32 AM

I had the same story on a 74 Spider 2000 I got recently. Alleged to have a blown head gasket, but in fact an exhaust valve head had broken off, like yours, battered through the piston, and battered through the head into the water jacket, like yours, dumping the entire cooling system into the oil pan. Fun.

Andrew

DrEntropy · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 01:45 PM

w00f. Yeah, th' head gasket may be said to have blown... is the block in fact salvageable? Looks like you may have the parts you wanted but no "leftovers" to speak of.

"Overheated" huh? Euphemistically correct. 'nother 'caveat emptor' moment.

Renaldo · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the empathy and the humor...much appreciated.

The block appears to be in good shape. I'll be taking this block along with my Verde pistons, conrods, crank & flywheel to the machine shop for cleaning, honing, lightening (flywheel) and a few mods intended to increase the compression.

At least I'm finally starting...moved the air compressor out of the basement and into the garage (where it outta be anyways!)...gotta break those flywheel bolts free!

I'll finish disassembly of my two engines this week and then move on to getting parts to the machine shop for the next stage.

In the end I hope to have a 210hp+ 12V 3L engine to slap back into my Verde. I'll post some pics along the journey, though at my pace (time & finances) it will definately be an all Spring & Summer project.

DrEntropy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 05:57 PM

No crime in that! The "finances" thingie is always a prime consideration around here. Glad the ~important~ bits are intact.

junglejustice · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 06:36 PM

****ing Russian - we should go and find him the Bob Barker treatment Ron...

MAN I was disappointed!

Any way - Good LORD Ron - what's with the expression on me face there!? Looks like the mad scientist at a grin! (Maybe my facial expression was a preemptive-glimpse into what was yet to come...!?

)

Ah, well - it was fun to hang out. (Gotta go find the bastard that stole my ATM number last week - that's why there was no beer present...!)