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Thanks everyone for your advice and help. The other head is off and besides all the carbon buildup like these, there is no discernible damage that I can see so far.
I have never taken a piston out before (my '78 4.5L engine is cleaned and disassmbled without having the pistons out), but I will certainly have to now.
Thank you all for giving me hope that I may not have to trash this engine due to the previous damage. I will start asking around regarding good trustworthy machine shops in the Philly area to help with the valves and all.
Going from Rennlist's prior discussions, I learned that an euro S CIS engine is rare and sort after, with the recent opportunity to acquire one, I took the chance to see if 80 HP can really make a difference for my 5 spd '78. It was happening all about the same time I was disassembling the original engine for reseal and rebuild.
My car's number is in the #400s, and I have everything stored to keep it as original as possible. Just want to play with an euro engine, since it may be my last chance without breaking the bank (how ironic that it actually is that now).
Updated news on the heads. Just received them back and they are looking pretty good. Still debating about doing a hybrid or just clean up the pistons and stop spending more money on this particular engine. R&W Enterprises in Collegeville PA was recommended by several Rennlisters and they came through nicely.
I do have a 85/86 short block in reserve. Anyone wants it for my cost with shipping included?
I haven't opened up the bottom yet, since it's been cold. I will certainly do it in the coming weeks. If it goes well, ie no bent rods, I will try to replace rod bearings while I take out the pistons (especially the offendant piston) and replace rings and all. Wish me luck.
Thanks Dan. Now that the heads are done, I'm debating whether to keep the original intention to make a 5L hybrid or stay with the original euro s short block. Them it's the transmission, then clutch cylinders change out, then rear suspension...
This comment is not against you but the shop, that's a pretty ugly repair. The weld is very porus and looks like there is still a chunk missing from under the valve seat.
35? years ago I bought an intake hose from the Porsche dealer for my 914 that had the screw part of a hose clamp hidden in it. As I was driving down the 5 in the middle of nowhere the screw broke loose, got sucked past the valve and into the cylinder (making a huge racket). I shut it down and pulled over. With no other option I was able to loosen the head, pull the head back and dislodge the screw from where it was embedded in the head, and then bolt it back together. I put something like 100K on that motor after that with no problems. Seems the piston and head were able to take a fair amount of surface deformation without really effecting function. Still have the screw.
This comment is not against you but the shop, that's a pretty ugly repair. The weld is very porus and looks like there is still a chunk missing from under the valve seat.
I was also trying to decide if it was just how the dye was applied, or if the edge of the chamber had some minor shape irregularities as well. Things definitely look better than before, however.
12-29-2015, 07:04 AM
