Winter off season project engine compartment “clean up” and engine repaint.

[donmodro]

Just a quick update, I’ve got lofty day planned for tomorrow. Motor mount swap from solids to DynaTech Mity Mounts and according to the tracking number my tranny selector shaft gasket kit should be here tomorrow. I’ve got the extraction tool, and plan on driving the new seal home with a socket. Not dropping the valve body! Other than that I’ve got a few parts primed ready for paint, then go back on the engine, and I just picked up a sand blaster for the accessory brackets, prime and paint after that. Still need to pick up a few gaskets, seal the intake bolts to stop oil from leaking into the valley plan, degrease and paint the engine, and a few other things. I’ve got enough to keep me busy for a while. As always thanks for the help, hope Christmas went well, and Happy New Year! More to come…

It sounds like you have a busy day planned! Looking forward to the update.

 

[Plyrr471]

@donmodro just taking a second and stepping away from the work. P/S side done. D/S a bitch cause i guess when I installed the engine I put one on the motor mount bolts in backwards. Didn’t know till now as the head of the lower long bolt is hitting the oil pump. So my choices seem to r&r the oil pump or try to cut the bolt!!! Damn it!!!!

 

[Plyrr471]

Might have had a chance to get everything done but having to remove the oil pump slowed me way down. Only had to lift the engine an inch or so. I used a 2x4 and my floor jack. Plenty sturdy. Both motor mounts are in, so tomorrow is tranny leak repair day.

 

[donmodro]

Looks like you're making great progress, even with the setback due to the bolt!

 

[Plyrr471]

We’re moving right along here @donmodro Wasn’t feeling much like lying on the cold garage floor today to do the tranny seal. Tomorrow’s another day…Now I need to add a gasket/o-ring set for the oil pump…

 

[66 Cornpicker]

Is that base for your air cleaner fiberglass ? Where do you get ? Thanks

 

[Plyrr471]

It’s steel and I picked up years ago at Carlisle.

 

[donmodro]

We’re moving right along here @donmodro Wasn’t feeling much like lying on the cold garage floor today to do the tranny seal. Tomorrow’s another day…Now I need to add a gasket/o-ring set for the oil pump…

I can't blame you for not wanting to be on the garage floor. My dad and I are pretty focused on getting our '74 Road Runner on the street by the spring, but after sitting for about 10yrs I am fully expecting that I'll be dealing with similar leaks.

At this point we just need the thing drivable, we can work through all of those side quests some other time.

 

[Jam72]

The though had occurred to me Don, as I’ve done it before, but I’d have to secure a stand and hoist, plus I’d be afraid of beating up my paint. I just finished removing all I’m going to remove, got starter, headers, and water pump and housing out. I may pull the distributer as well.
Quick question for the group, replace the water pump, or not? No weep hold but you can see traces of a minor leak. Bearings feel firm. Maybe weak gasket or bolt backed off a bit? Should I Permatex the next gasket?

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Your fender and firewall paint looks good so I gather it is just the engine and attachments you wish to clean up. I had a 1970 GTX 440 with the same paint code as yours (burnt orange as I recall). In my case I redid the marked up engine bay paint when the engine was out.
I now have a bigger problem with my 72 Charger - the guy that started the restoration actually painted the firewall and fenders with truck bedliner flat black. I hate it but would have pull the motor and either strip the bay paint or even paint over it with body colour. I expect the right way is to strip it - but with what? with paint stripper? Or is there a better way to remove the bed liner?

In your case I would be tempted to pressure wash the engine and attachments in place as the bay paint looks good. My experience with water pumps leakage is that it is usually internal - best to replace it as it will get worse.

 

[Plyrr471]

I can't blame you for not wanting to be on the garage floor. My dad and I are pretty focused on getting our '74 Road Runner on the street by the spring, but after sitting for about 10yrs I am fully expecting that I'll be dealing with similar leaks.

At this point we just need the thing drivable, we can work through all of those side quests some other time.

I’ll just throw a few big pieces of cardboard down and I’ll be good to go.
Good luck with your project, it’s lots of fun, with some expletives thrown in. Keep us in the loop with your progress.

 

[Plyrr471]

@Jam72 you’re right, my aim is to clean and touch up the block and accessories. I’ve got quite a few leaks that need fixing, otherwise it’s just an involved detail job to get the engine bay up to the standard of the rest of the car.
You should really pull the engine and strip that truck bed liner crap off. Maybe ask a local vendor who applies that stuff to see the nest way to remove. May need to be removed mechanically. Good luck with your project.