I bought this car at the Texas Hoarder auction and was last licensed in 1971. I bought it to sell but no one wants a non-running 392 4dr HT. I've been cleaning and this car is really solid. Rockers are the worst part. I have the valve covers off and filled the cyl's with MMO. The motor is not stuck. The heads had a lot of sludge. Since the rockers are held in by the head bolts which keeps me from disassembling the Rockers. so I guess I'll rotate the engine and prime the motor with the distributor shaft. I thought about dropping the center link and dropping the oil pan. That way I could drop caps and clean bearing and crank and OP. It has almost every option. Its going to take a while to make sure this HEMI survives.
If the engine is not stuck, seems to me it should be taken apart and fully checked out. May be good shape and a full cleaning is sufficient, but I doubt it. Which will probably lead to a full rebuild. Play it safe and don't risk messing up the engine by trying to start it. Engine is too valuable to risk damaging it.
I am about 9-years into one of those, and 16-years into another. I have decide that these two are my last.
What was the "Texas hoarder auction"? Got any pics from the auction, or other pics of the car? I like those cars, seems worthwhile to me.
Forget that, now I remember the auction. Some great deals there. Still would like to see more of the car though.
I was hoping to get it running without spending HEMI money. I know the answer but It could happen on a poor mans budget.
Brakes, steering, suspension and safety are paramount. Establish your goals, set a [realistic] budget and factor in contingencies.
Stick to your plan of pulling the pan, I'd be pulling the heads too if they are that dirty. Be aware those suckers are HEAVY! Good luck with it.
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