72 TA : New Project

[njsteve]

I just got the results of a Washington State title search on my 72 TA. They had info on 3 previous owners out there back to 1992...and it was for free. The lady on the phone couldnt understand my shock at the fact that a DMV didnt want any money for copies of the records. I guess people are just different out on the left coast. So if I am owner "X", now I have info on owners X-1 Pennsylvania, X-2 Wash, X-3 Wash and X-4 Wash. I have no idea how many more there are as the car was sold new in CA and I havent gotten their info yet.

I also tore the engine down and found that the bearings are bad and the crank was previously cut 010 and 030. So it's new crank time. I might just go for an entire internal reciprocating assembly kit from Butler Racing since the original block is already 040. I have to get it measured to see if we can keep it at that size. Here's a shot of the rod bearings. Caught it just in time I think. And no, they're not supposed to be fully grooved bearings!

[njsteve]

Here's a close-up!

[Steve_Hoog]

Steve

Throw those rods in the trash can and get some new ones from Bulter, he has some really good stuff at great prices.

[njsteve]

So I'm starting the cleanup getting ready for reassembly of my 455 HO and I see this hole in the main web. It's the original engine with 115,000 miles on it so I guess it really didn't hurt anything. After looking at it all day and sticking assorted picks in it to see how deep it was (over 3/4 inch deep) I used a bright light and saw threads inside. So I pulled the #3 4-bolt main cap and see light through the hole. I guess an overzealous machinist cut the hole too deep originally. Has anyone ever run into anything like this before????

[njsteve]

Here's the bolt view from the bottom:

[Belair62]

Engine built on a Monday morning ??

[njsteve]

It was cast on J181, Sept 18, 1971. Anyone have a calendar cross reference???