Engine Out

Now I can accomplish something. After three years of delays (lack of funding, deployments, and plain ol' procrastination) I'm making genuine progress getting the Lead Sled back up and running.



Manifolds and heads off! The bottom end is good and firm, no runout to speak of; I won't have to re-grind the crank, just need to put in fresh bearings. The pistons and cylinder bores are another story.

#7 piston had a nice chunk burned out of its edge, down to the ring lands; it must have just burned away, because there's no scoring or cracking in the cylinder itself:


#8, I have no clue what happened. These deposits also left enough rust pitting on the cylinder wall that I'll probably have to bore it .010 over just to reach smooth metal:
Everything's garaged for the week, until I consult with a machine shop and hammer out a price for all the work that needs doing.

Toronado work progresses

I'm off!


So it begins. I finally got a hoist and an engine stand, so today I'm making the final preparations to pull the engine out. Disconnecting and clearing electrics, draining the engine, removing the starter, and scratching my head trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to unbolt the torque converter when there's no access cover. Guess they expect me to fit a wrench (and turn it) through the 2" diameter inspection hole.

Beyond that, I'm pretty happy to finally make real progress. Seeing this magnificent car sit in the driveway and rot has been pretty depressing.

Gory automotive dismemberment pictures to follow!



In happier days:


UPDATE: More progress today. Converter's unbolted, so's the forward engine mount. Unfortunately, the guys who were supposed to help me run the hoist today weaseled out, so I have to content myself with what few final preparations I made today.

Four bellhousing bolts and four hood hinge bolts from now I'm going to have this bastard out. The drivetrain won't be supported without the engine in, so I had to rig a cargo strap to hold the transmission, differential, and CV shafts up now that the bottom half is unbolted.