Found a new project. Ram D250

[threewood]

Make sure the plastigage is fresh....

Do I need to taste them?

 

[Cranky]

Do I need to taste them?

Feeling them off should be sufficient lol. If they are dried out, it won't give an accurate reading.

 

[69Bee]

Depending on how bad the rod bearings spun: big end black-replace rods, big end normal iron color-resize. When the rod end gets HOT due to friction, the oil cooks onto it and turns the big end black. When it does this, the rod bore pulls in at the parting line and can normally not be resized. If any mains spun, check the cap engagement with the block. If the cap just drops in and can be moved back and forth perpendicular to the crank, the block is junk. A crank kit will come with a reground crank, and correctly sized rod/main bearings. A core is usually charged to send yours back. EPWi (Alb) will not refund a core over 0.020, so sometimes it is easier to not send it.

 

[threewood]

Pile of parts. I was going to take apart all the lifters and soak them in mineral spirits. I'm waiting on a new pressure washer to clean off the block and transmission. I have several parts ordered including a new oil pump and pickup. Pump was well grooved and pickup was full of trash.

 

[threewood]

Just collecting parts. Received my reman crank and bearings. Journals were cut .010" and +.010 bearings were included. Received some gaskets, and install/cleaning tools. I popped out the freeze plugs this afternoon to prep for block cleaning tomorrow. Gross.

 

[GTXDAN]

Looks like not much routine maintenance performed there.

 

[threewood]

I'm really looking forward to cleaning this block out. I have a pressure washer and I'm going blast the crud out tomorrow.

 

[33 IMP]

I'm really looking forward to cleaning this block out. I have a pressure washer and I'm going blast the crud out tomorrow.

I've seen worse.
Have fun! USE EYE PROTECTION!!!

 

[GTXDAN]

I might try filling the block with vinegar overnight to see if that would help clean it out.

 

[threewood]

Found some cracks from the water jacket into the headbolt holes.

 

[GTXDAN]

You going to find a different block/motor now? Only thing you would find here around ATL would be a magnum engine, as there's no old stuff (pre 1990) in the junk yards any more, only once in a blue moon. I bet this thing has been really hot at some time, from the condition it is in. Probably why it was parked.

 

[33 IMP]

Sealer on the head bolts, ceramic sealer in the water jackets, run it. Just don't put a lot of money into it that isn't recoverable. (Heads and intakes can be re-used, sold)

 

[threewood]

You going to find a different block/motor now? Only thing you would find here around ATL would be a magnum engine, as there's no old stuff (pre 1990) in the junk yards any more, only once in a blue moon. I bet this thing has been really hot at some time, from the condition it is in. Probably why it was parked.

This is a 1992, so Magnum. I would like to find a block. Or short block. Harder to find than you may think and at a reasonable price. Used could be a crap shoot. Better the devil you know.

Sealer on the head bolts, ceramic sealer in the water jackets, run it. Just don't put a lot of money into it that isn't recoverable. (Heads and intakes can be re-used, sold)

This is something I have given thought. Am I more worried about coolant into the crankcase or bolts loosing torque or both? Some engines have wet head bolts that are sealed. It could work for a while or a long while while I rebuild other systems of the car and look for another engine.

If a block doesn't come along, I'm going to run with it. I probably have $750 into parts so far. If the heads are ok I'll continue. This is a budget build, right?