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73' charger se (318) engine clean....& mice D:

drobertson

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I am soon inheriting a 73' charger se from my grandad, and about 10 yrs ago, he removed the carburetor to try and fix it. Nonetheless, he never put it back on. Some mice made a nest in the engine:angryfire: (below where the carb should be), but it looks as if I can get it all out without having to rebuild the engine. Should I rebuild the engine, or just clean it really good on the inside??? Imma gonna take the engine out anyways to paint the car.... so would it be worth rebuilding? (the engine)




side note: My grandad is giving me $5,000 to fix it up, and in return, I receive it in his will.:) I just wanna make it nice for him, because he doesn't have many years left. :icon_cry: Currently I'm 16 yrs old, but I'm up to the task. It'll be quite the adventure!:):):)
 
After sitting for 10 years, the rings most likely are stuck in their groves, and possibly some corrosion on the cylinder walls. I would get a shop vac and get the nest out of the intake manifold. Who knows what the mice have stored in the intake. I would get the engine out and off to a rebuilder. It may need rings , bearings , cam and lifters. The block can get cleaned out and machined as needed. Once finished, you will have basically a new 318. Just had my 400 re-manufactured by a company that was the Chrysler engine rebuilding plant for many years. Not that expensive compared to buying a new crate motor. Great project for you to get started with, best of luck with your Charger
 
I've had a couple of cars thats sat for a while before I bought them, onr for 12 years and one that sat for 18. Both were 318 cars and I got them to run pretty decent without having to rebuild the engines. Since you're pulling your engine, what you need to do will be easy. You will want to remove the intake and heads to get out all of the mice nests. Drain your oil and remove the oil pan. Then take some WD-40 and spray your cylinders down and let that soak 15-20 minutes. Gently rotate the crank by hand to break loose the pistons in the cylinders. While you have the heads off, it's a perfect time to replace the valve seals since they will deffinately need done. Clean out your oil pan to remove any sludge that may be in there. I would also install a new timing chain while you're at it. Mr.Gasket had a full gasket set that has the valve seals and every gasket you will need to put it all back together. The part number is #7110. I still run these engines today with no problems and it's going on 8 years now. Best of luck on your project
 
If your on a tight budget, I'd attempt to get it running first. I use a mixture of diesel and brake fluid in the cylinders. I've freed up some very old engines this way, that others gave up on. If the bottom end is free no need to go this route. Rotate it (by hand) w a breaker bar on the large harmonic balancer boltWd-40 or marvel mystery oil. At the worst you are out a bit of time, no sense rebuilding if the bottom end is still in decent shape. I would replace the valve seals at minimum, as well as the timing chain, water pump, freeze plugs if you get it running and pull the engine. The heads do not need to be removed to do the valve seals. With the carb being off the car I would at minimum pull the intake manifold to make sure nothing got into the heads / cylinders, unless you have access to a bore scope, then no need unless there's debris in the engine. I'd find someone with carb experience to rebuild the carb, auto shop at a high school if they still have that or ask around here. Fresh plugs, fresh gas, and ignition wires, fully charged battery. Best of luck!
 
Mice and their liquid waste will ruin an engine like nothing you could imagine , My Charger's cylinder walls and valves and seats looked like there was some kind of acid poured on them - completely ruined and pitted badly
pull it apart to see what you've got to work with, at least pull the intake and heads.

BTW, I tried to get it going first , it never ran , kept almost starting though, wasted lots of time with it.
 
The car is currently in a different town, but when I get it home, I'll definitely look into it and replace the seals along with a good cleaning. Thanks Yall
 
Good Luck with your project - it seems like a good one. Enjoy the time you get to spend with your Grandpa on this project. You will not only get a great car, but you will get something even more valuable, a memory you will have the rest of your life.

Post pics, we would love to see the car, you and your Grandpa!
 
Oh, and one more thing... It's an SE Brougham. What does Brougham mean? I'll post pics. She was last driven in 2005 (for only a few days) , but hasn't been licensed since 1990. I was mistaken about the nest... but it was where the mice would store their food. So, my plan is to rebuild the engine; and add a carburetor. I'm sooooo excited! (and a complete restoration over 12 or so months)
 
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