Recent content by DreadPirateRob

I built this up from an old block, with all new parts- timing chain, sprocket, all that. The marks I made to show the timing are all still lining up, and it doesn't look like anything has jumped. When the car was running, before the rebuild, I noticed that there was a vacuum leak at the carb...

I did check, they seem to be okay

You're not wrong, but I'm saying I'll test the compression first, if it fails I'll check the rings. It's a new engine, so if the rings didn't seat I'd assume they may be damaged from the failures to start. I drove it about 30 miles after breaking it in for an hour in my driveway, but if it...

Yeah, I thought of that as well, of the 3 distributors I ordered all the shafts measure out at 4 inches, and my old 400 is 3.5 - the Hei style has a 4 inch shaft, but the area where the ring gasket sits seems to be longer. It appears to be as seated as the proform distributors I bought, it's...

What a great call. I gave it a sniff and it does smell like gas, so it's likely the piston rings not sealing. I'll do a compression test and see if it verifies everything, and then I'll get new rings for it.

The ignition turns on, and it cranks, but the engine won't start. I've had my battery on my trickle charger and it's still at 12v, so I don't think it's a dead battery. Thanks bud. Yes, it's cracking but not firing. My battery is fully charged and I have spark, so I'm thinking it's timing...

Here's the muffler, and you can see the motorcycle behind it, lol. I don't have a picture of the slag, it was nickle size and had a smooth curve in it, the same angle as the inside of my pipes.

You know, I did say brass gear but thinking back now I'm not sure that it is. I think I was reading about other issues so much this morning I may have added that arbitrarily. I have a steel crankshaft, so I would have gone steel for the intermediate as well.

Hi guys, hoping to hear from all the experts here. I finished building a 440 for my 73 Charger, removing the 400 that previously died. I have a 67 GTX Block, with 915 Heads, a Comp 268H cam, steel crank, vintage Hooker headers, Holly 750cfm Carb... I drove the new engine 3 or 4 times after...

I've got a thick gasket to toss on there if the compression is too much. How could I check on compression based on my cam selection? I've got a comp XE284H to put in. I bought it just before my 400 engine died with plans to use that to increase the bottom end

Thanks for the reply, but I don't know where anyone got the idea that I bought cast pistons. Sealed Power was just how I wrote it on the notes, I think these are "Speed Pro" Sealed power. Here is the product page for what I have. Forged Aluminum Pistons with my 915 heads should rate me around...

I get it, and plan on building the 400 into a stroker in the next few years, but based on the deals I was able to get on parts and machining, this will be less expensive. Ive got a 4 kids, (7 month old and 2 1/2 year old + 2 teens) so its hard to justify spending more than a few grand on a build...

Sorry, I didnt include the heads in my pricing since I was having them done before my engine seized, so in my head its a different project, lol. My friend was charging me 200 to machine those, I don't know if he's including that in the 800 or if its separate. I think I'm going to hang onto my...

Hey guys, thanks for replying! My friend is charging me $800. He showed me his work book where he writes the job and prices, and showed me that he generally would charge $1100 to a walk in customer. I called the other shop and the $275 fee is good, but their quote to do everything my friend...

Hey guys, I was driving my 73 Charger (400 Mag, smog engine) last week (around 70 on the freeway) and the engine started revving strange. Tach jumped to about 3700 which is really high for 70, and then it calmed down for maybe a quarter mile. Then the engine started shaking and losing power. I...