Andrew,
I can't believe it. Someone is actually faced with the same problem I had.
I know what you are going through.
Here is my engine story, it went something like this:
I bought the Series 3 GT with one engine in it (1592) and the original block
with a pile of parts.
After deciding I would keep the original engine so the #'s would be the same
I took it to the machine shop to be tanked and inspected. While trying to
find the main bearing caps I discovered I didn't have all of them, only one
of the three. I thought I could use two caps from the engine that was in the
car, but...... Rick did not recommend it, neither did the tech at the
machine shop. When I tore the next one down we found it had about 3/8" end
play on the crank and here is why.
Whoever rebuilt it either didn't put any thrust bearings in or they
disintegrated. The crank had been wearing against the middle cap and wore
about a 1/4 inch of metal off it. So there it is there. I now had two
engines without a full set of bearing caps for either!!!
The machinist said he could "build" that bearing cap back up and replace what
was missing however this was not the end of the bad news. After tanking the
block we found the side of it looked like a "road map" of cracks that had
been fixed. (probably due to freezing)
So now I just said BAG THAT! I will look for a 1725 since I can't have the
original engine anyway, I may just as well upgrade.
I found (through the Alpine E-Mail thing) I guy in New Mexico that said he
had some 1725's available and he was only about 5 1/2 hours drive away.
A couple of weeks later I drove down and picked up a complete engine from a
69 GT. I had my suspicions because the color was Blue instead of the stock
Black. But the guy said he would guarantee it could be rebuilt. Away I
went. This engine turned out to look like another road map on the side of
the block where repairs had been done and two cylinders had been SLEEVED!
(probably due to the cracks)
I called him up and he said "bring it back, come on down," like I like to
drive 11 hours just to see the landscape! Oh well, he could have stood me
up. He was nice.
This Engine he broke down before I got there and it looked good. Still black
too. This turned out to be OK. Now into the engine and machine work about
$1200.00
Well there it is. The nightmare on Block Street!
My suggestion is this. Go for the 1725 but break it down and inspect it
before you have to commit. Do you mean the original is frozen as in been
frozen as in cracked? Check it out. I know how you feel. If I can help,
let me know.
Paul
S 3 GT
Colorado
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