David Lynes wrote:
> Whoa! Hold on a minute... Before you get upset or give up hope, or use
>WD-40...
>
> One of the first things I look for when I work on a car engine that has been
>dormant
> for a while is has it frozen up... Your first notice of water in the oil was
>a good
> indication that there would be problems, as most of us recognised a potential
>head
> gasket problem, not an unusual thing with a B engine. The gasket is metal, or
>has
> metal parts depending on who made it, and a "blown gasket" simply means it no
>longer
> seals.
>
> What likely happened is the prior owner blew the gasket, had billowing white
>smoke
> out his tailpipe (from the steam) and parked it. The resulting moisture
>caused the
> cylinders to surface rust and the cast iron rings to rust and seize to the
>cylinder
> walls.
>
> Best thing for you to do is get a penetrating oil, the best is PB Blaster,
>soak that
> in the cylinders and get the pistons moving. Then pull the engine, dismantle
>it and
> take it to a machine shop for a hot bath and examination. Take the head too,
>they
> can check and see how bad the situation is.
>
> Don't feel bad. I had the same problem (head gasket/seized rings) when I
>first got
> my 78 B. But the engine is strong, and I am glad I had the chance to work on
>it,
> and get it the way I wanted. Its a good learning experience, especially if
>you have
> little experience. Get a Haynes or Bentley manual, and have some fun. If you
>have
> to pay someone to do it, it will definitely cost you some bucks. But you
>pulled the
> head, the carb, intake and exhaust manifolds, you are half way there. Go for
>it. You
> can get parts easily, and the expertise is on the list for the cost of your
>internet
> subscription.
>
> We are all in the same boat. There has been a lot of talk here about putting
>so
> much money into the cars, and we all know we may barely cover the cost of the
>parts,
> never the labor if we sold these things. But there is more than economics at
>play
> here. Stick around, you will know what I mean. These little cars have
>personality
> and a kind of spirit of their own. And it pays you back in many other ways
>besides
> resale value.
>
> Good Luck, and keep us posted
>
>
I'll second that and add-- you'll know exactly what he's talking about the
first time
you drive your own "B" top down on a balmy (or even not so balmy) day!
Gary
74B
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