Car newbs rebuilding a 68

[LowerJerZey]

My brother-in-law just bought a non-running 68 fastback 4 speed from his uncle. His uncle bought it cheap in 1990 from some guy who owed him money who claims to have rebuilt it. He has no clue what was done to the car other than what you can physically see. His story is shady on why it won't start. He said back in 1992, the car stalled out on him and wouldn't restart. He tried a few things to get it started but it never did. He never had time to work on it so he threw a cover on it and it sat.

So, my brother-in-law bought it and recruited me and my garage to help him get this thing on the road. He and I are total novices to car repairs. Basically, we know enough to do the easy stuff and have followed manuals to make repairs. So, to the best of our basic abilities, we tried to see if we could get it started. We checked the oil, connected a new battery and cranked it. It turned over fine and sounded normal. We checked for spark and it did. So, we shot a little starter fluid and the thing sputtered. Shot a little more. More sputter. Sprayed the hell out of it and the car started with some loud clanging and god awful noises so we immediately shut her down. Yeah, it stalled back in 92, sure it did. We tried to see if we could get it to at least turn over again and it was seized. Crap, maybe we shouldn’t have done that.

My brother in law is a 20 year old college kid that works in a machine shop making ok money. He has access to any tools that we may need. He has big plans for this car, but for now, his budget for this car is extremely tiny and just wants to get it on the road and running correctly. He wants to break down the engine, replace what is broken, reuse what he can, replace anything that should be replaced, and do any necessary prepping. He has the shop manual and other books with step by step instructions. We’re going to attempt to remove the engine this weekend and start working on it. Should we pull the trans with the engine? This is our first time so whichever is easiest.

I’m a very meticulous person and want to do everything correctly. I’m also all about making things painless as possible, thus everything will be marked, labeled, and bagged. I’ll definitely have a ton a questions. Thanks for any tips in advance.

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[D.Hearne]

If it's noise that loud, sounds like it tossed a connecting rod. Take a 1/2" breaker bar, and 15/16" socket and use this on the center bolt on the front of the crank (inside the crank pulley) and with the transmission in neutral, try to rotate the crank by hand. Two full revolutions is what you're shooting for, that's one complete firing cycle for all 8 cylinders. Let us know the results. Nice lookin car there too...................

 

[danny clemens]

First thing you want to do is dump that car. It's just a money pit and will never be worth anything. Just let me know where it's at and I'll do you a favor and come take it off of your hands for scrap price.

Seriously though, I don't know what he gave for the car but it looks good. It'll be well worth some engine work. Valve trains without oil in the lifters can make a lot of noise but I don't think that would make it clang. You could have some serious engine trouble so follow D. Hearne's advice.

I'd rather have a good car with a bad engine than a good engine and a bad car.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Or if you still can't get it to turn over in neutral, pulling the oil pan only costs about $8 and an hour's time if you don't hurry....assuming the crossmember bolts aren't stuck.