Locked up 302 with 10k miles on it.

evilcartman · Jun 23, 2004

I'm buying a '68 FB. That car has a locked up 302 that the owner thinks is due to sitting to long. The car was in a flood (sitting not running) and has been torn apart since. The engine is locked up solid and he even tried turning it over with a breaker bar. What can I pour into the intake and spark plug holes to soak and maybe break the engine free? I was thinking auto trans fluid. I figure if that doesn't work, I will be pulling the heads off. The engine only has about 10k on it, so I would like to be able to use it.

RajunCajun · Jun 23, 2004

if it got water down where it shouldnt be id be willing to bet theres rust by now depending how long its been sitting? best thing is just dissassemble it and see what is causing the problem

Ronstang · Jun 23, 2004

If it was in a flood then give it up. If the engine was not torn down immediately then more than likely it is completely toast. If you are going to purchase this vehicle just consider the engine gone and factor in that you will probably have to get a whole new one....there may be no usable parts in the entire engine. If it is locked up then the cylinder walls are damaged beyond use in my opinion and even though it has onl 10K on it is is a casualty. Considering that the engine has been rebuilt a rebore is probably not an option here.

Buy the car but factor in the price of a new engine and do not get stung here. I realize fastbacks are very popular now and everyone wants one but don't let that drive you to throw good money away. Pay a fair prive for the car but this car should be pretty low in price due to it's problems. Remember that the transmission and rearend are also more than likely damaged if not unusable also.

This kind of car is a great start for the project oriented person if the price is low enough but a complete nightmare for the person who thinks a little spit here and there will net them a great car. The water went everywhere and you need to tear the car down to make sure it didn't do/start hidden body rust. Flood cars are a lot of work....don't get stung and let the seller take advantage of you, remember he is selling if for a reason. If it has been sitting more than a day or so since the flood then that 10k miled engine is worth no more than the scrap value of the steel/iron IMHO.

WORTH · Jun 23, 2004

don't be so quick to give up, you have nothing to loose by trying to free it. You don't always get the whole story from the PO. I've always used whatever used oil and leftovers that are around the shop. Fill the cylinders and the intake, with any oil you have. Let it sit for a few days, don't be in a hurry to turn it over. and turn it over with a breaker bar before you decide to spin it up.

10secgoal · Jun 23, 2004

If it was in a flood, and it was real bad...it is possible to have filled the cylinder and the owner may have tried to start it. In the process bending a rod ans causing the bottom of the piston to hit the counterwieght. WHAT!! It's not like I know from experience or anything!!

Hack · Jun 23, 2004

10secgoal said:
If it was in a flood, and it was real bad...it is possible to have filled the cylinder and the owner may have tried to start it. In the process bending a rod ans causing the bottom of the piston to hit the counterwieght. WHAT!! It's not like I know from experience or anything!!

I've heard of this too. Water just doesn't give. You're not going to get 10:1 compression on it. Something else has to go, usually a rod.

I agree, it's not unlikely that the PO did this. At that point he would have been not feeling great about himself or the car. It would be hard to face that and start over. That's probably why he let it sit so long and now is selling it. It takes a big man to admit a mistake like that. Kudos to you, 10secgoal (or not, since it was your [friend] it happened to ).

GaPonyFarm · Jun 23, 2004

I agree... pull the plugs and see if you can get some oil, maybe even mix in some solvent to loosen it up. You're going to have to rebuild it anyway...at a minimum. It might be a good idea to look into the alternator, brake master cylinder, and power steering pump, if it has one) and look for signs of water damage. Also look into the valve cover. You'll know in a second if there's been any water around those other fluids.

10secgoal · Jun 26, 2004

It takes a big man to admit a mistake like that. Kudos to you, 10secgoal (or not, since it was your [friend] it happened to ).[/QUOTE]

Hehe, I wasn't admitting it though, it uhhh...was my wifes fault. Really it was though, mostly. I had the floats set too high on my carb and didn't know it. Electric fuel pumps turning while the motor isn't running. Ask the wife to turn on the key,NOT START IT!! Oh well, I still haven't told her.

Locked up 302 with 10k miles on it.

evilcartman

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RajunCajun

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Ronstang

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WORTH

10secgoal

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Hack

GaPonyFarm

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10secgoal

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Locked up 302 with 10k miles on it.

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