I posted my pictures of my 69 GT on the pictures thread when I joined, might as well post a couple of them here too. Hopefully will get started on it soon. Fortunately it has been inside for the last 30 years. The engine is my biggest concern, my understanding is that it threw a rod! UHG! Anyway, will keep you informed on my progress. And believe me, I will be asking for assistance and direction from time to time. Thanks in advance.
Dismantling begins Got to start dismantling the car today, removing parts, bagging and tagging screws, labeling wires, was having fun until we pulled the engine out and found a hole in the side of the block and pan where the rod supposedly exited upon destruction. Good news though, there may have another block sitting in the shop. Just have to verify that it is a CJ, of the proper vintage and we should be good to go. Was hoping the original block was still good though. If that block doesn't check out, anyone have a 69 428CJ laying around?
Ups, that's bad, but please follow up this With a lot of pic's. We love pic's I hope the engine Block is availebal somewhere to a reasonable price. And good Luck to you.
More Work Still in the demo phase, will be for a while it is looking like. http://www.ranchero.us/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4113&stc=1&d=1375673872 http://www.ranchero.us/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4114&stc=1&d=1375673891 http://www.ranchero.us/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4116&stc=1&d=1375674157 So in discussion with different sources, I am hearing that it may be possible to repair certain blocks with block damage... Is this true? I know back in the day, the technology did not exist to repair the damage usually incurred by thrown rods... does it now? So far the internals of the block itself look OK. Is it possible to repair this external wall? I am hoping, because Ford decided to put the VIN on this block! http://www.ranchero.us/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4115&stc=1&d=1375674122ow?
try FE forum classifieds. good to hear you're keeping an FE. Cobra Jet Rancheros are kinda rare. most people pull the engines and scrap the body or install a small block.
Block Work My matching numbers 428CJ Block is in the shop getting stripped down and checked out... IF the waterjacket is intact, the block can be repaired! Technology is a wondeful thing! Fingers crossed!
Me too. I'm not sure I'd want them to. If this were a numbers matching Vette, Shelby, or even 1970 El Camino SS454, it might be worth it. But a numbers matching Ranchero,...eh, history has shown they just aren't the same, collectible-wise. I’d save that block, even have it repaired, but build one that wasn’t blown apart. I'm not a gambler
If it is a clean break in the lower skirt, and there are no cracks, it should be as strong as new after the repair.
Agreed, 'if', but it looks to me like some meat was busted away from the sidewall, adjacent to the #2 and #3 main journals. No thanks. Like I said, I'm not a gambler. How hard is it to find old FE blocks? I honestly haven't looked. Maybe they are really rare.
ouch. what made it break? i would imagine a flux test would be in order. from what little i know on FE blocks, i think the actual block is more common than the CJ heads or crank. a C7 or C8 date code prefix.
Wahoo! It is repairable!!! It cleaned up real nice. All that was damaged was the skirt, may have to sleeve #2 ,but won't know until after it's honed. Found a '72 360 as the donator block for the piece. They will square up the blow out, cut the piece from the 360 and weld it in. I hear the concerns... Was pretty certain the block was a goner. Wasn't even aware they could be repaired until I was talk with an Aussie friend who is a machinist. As far as is it worth it? Check the fact that Ford didn't stamp that many engines in late 60's, early 70's. Makes this 1 of 1 Ranchero, that much better. Matching number, R Code, Ranchero's, this could be the only one left. Will it be worth that much? It will be worth more with the matching number block, then without it. The machine shop is pretty confident I only need to get the 2 rods, I am going to go all new Rods. The crank looks pretty good as well. It will get mic'd, and then we will know more. I may go with all new internals just to ensure that I don't have to worry about anything that may have gotten tweaked when it ceased.
Crossed Fingers The block is supposed to be done... WAHOO! This is not an easy repair. The rod used to weld the cast needs to be an almost perfect match to the composition of the materials in the block. Good match, good weld... bad match, disaster could be one arc away. Fingers crossed that we can start the rebuild this week.
