331 Worth Saving?
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 9:27 pm
Hello all,
Over the summer I purchased a 1955 331 hemi powered Chrysler generator. I was told at the time the machine was used as a backup for a small building and supposedly had low hours. Unfortunately the owner let it set outside and allowed it to seize. After getting the unit home I filled the cylinders with PB and let soak for a few days. I then used a breaker bar to work it loose. It didn't take much to free it but 2 cylinders had no compression so I decided to disassemble. Everything looked good inside except for a few rings were stuck. Upon closer inspection of the block I found someone had patched the outside between number 3 and 5 cylinders by brazing in a plate! Well, this was a bit depressing to say the least. When I disassembled the engine it had clean oil and was full of antifreeze. There was no indication of water in the oil or an exterior leak of any kind. I spray checked the cylinders for cracks but found none. My question is: Should I be concerned with the patch and scrap the block or continue to re-build the engine?
Thank you in advance.
Over the summer I purchased a 1955 331 hemi powered Chrysler generator. I was told at the time the machine was used as a backup for a small building and supposedly had low hours. Unfortunately the owner let it set outside and allowed it to seize. After getting the unit home I filled the cylinders with PB and let soak for a few days. I then used a breaker bar to work it loose. It didn't take much to free it but 2 cylinders had no compression so I decided to disassemble. Everything looked good inside except for a few rings were stuck. Upon closer inspection of the block I found someone had patched the outside between number 3 and 5 cylinders by brazing in a plate! Well, this was a bit depressing to say the least. When I disassembled the engine it had clean oil and was full of antifreeze. There was no indication of water in the oil or an exterior leak of any kind. I spray checked the cylinders for cracks but found none. My question is: Should I be concerned with the patch and scrap the block or continue to re-build the engine?
Thank you in advance.