CJ3b....That is what the vin tag says.

[inVERt'D]

Well I just ordered a pound (for $75 ) which is more than I hope to need for a long time. If you wanna try it let me know and I'll mail you some.

[aw12345]

Use the crank with the least amount of wear and grooves and reuse those bearing with them or buy a set of new ones. As long as you cannot feel grooves in the crank journals with your nails it's ok

[jonah]

Today has not been my favorite day....

I called lock n stitch, $300-400 for the kit to fix the crack. Talked to another shop about fixing it, they were not optimistic due to how thin that area of the block is.
I didn't feel like wasting a bunch of time/money trying to patch the crack so I decided to go with Art's direction, pulled the intake and busted half of the ear off for the bolt on the front of the intake, drivers side.

Anyway, the the lifters and pushrods don't look too bad. The valves don't look too bad. Cam looks all right. Haven't got the oil pan off yet. The pistons look stock, but I haven't measured them yet. The look to be in better condition than mine which have some deterioration around the top edges. Can't measure now because my mic just busted.

Anyone have an engine stand I could borrow for a few?
Art, any recommendation on a good ridge reamer and/or honer.

Thanks All!

David, I wouldn't mind trying a stick or two. You still want these wheels I have here, right? Maybe we can meet up one of these days.

[inVERt'D]

You betcha I want them sweet wheels! In fact, I was hoping we could meet up sometime soon, but who wants to deal with the 91 in this weather? Figured mail would be faster and safer.

Is your intake manifold busted too? If so I think I've still got a couple of aluminum brazing rods I could shoot you.

BTW, if you think a 383 stroker might suit your needs/ desires better, I might have a line on one for a very reasonable price. Pretty sure it doesn't come with wheelie bars, though...

[jonah]

yes, I told you it wasn't my day. When I was prying up the intake I lifted a bit too high apparently and the little ear up front popped off. It is cast iron, which is why I am taking you up on your offer.

It would probably hold ok as is but....

[inVERt'D]

Actually I think you will probably have a vacuum leak unless you do fix it, but most of my experience is with aluminum intakes which aren't as rigid.

I'll send those rods the day after I get them, which will hopefully be early next week?

As far as mixing the aforementioned components between two apparently well-worn engines, all I can say is Do you feel lucky? Cuz it doesn't sound like luck is on your side right now.

[jonah]

Yeah, not feeling too lucky....

The intake could still take the bolt there, just the outer 1/4 is gone. But I would rather get it back together. Or find another manifold...

[aw12345]

I got an engine stand you are welcome too.
For a hone I would use a flexhone, a slow 1/2 drill and WD40. I have always been able to get a nice crosshatch pattern that way.
For a ridge reamer what ever you can find, I used to have one from Lisle that works ok, you should be able to find it in most autopart stores. Depending on the diam of the cyl bore I might have a flex hone.

[jonah]

Thanks on the engine stand.
The bore is 3.75".

[aw12345]

Pretty sure that the hone will work Got an old sunnen hone you can try also

[jonah]

cool, are you around this weekend?

[inVERt'D]

The intake could still take the bolt there, just the outer 1/4 is gone. But I would rather get it back together. Or find another manifold...

Gotcha, and I so would I.

[jonah]

Well, after all of that. I couldn't bring myself to put it back together as is, so I dropped the block at the machinist today. Going to get it punched out .030 over. He is going to mic the crank, it my be fine as is. Thanks for the advice Art, I am sure it would have lasted a while but this will give me the peace of mind.

Also found a new intake...

Now I just have to wait, bit of a back up at the machine shop, 3 weeks...it is going to drive me crazy. But maybe I can get my corners on and tie my cage in. Might even touch up the paint

[dirtman13]

Wow. That sucks. Sorry to hear that jonah. If you still need an engine stand you can use mine.

[jonah]

Yeah, I had always planned on rebuilding. I was just hoping to put it off for a while. I was going to patch it up but, I did my taxes and am getting a little refund so I am going for it. If I reuse my cam and if I can get away with a polish on my crank it will only be about $700-800. So it will probably be $1200....that is how it usually goes.

I have Art's stand now, so I am all set. Thanks for the offer. Looks like I will hang on to the hoist a bit longer than I thought.

I am hoping to get it going by the next AAT weekend.