PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Shiny is Good! => Your Project => Topic started by: 1977Bobcat on March 28, 2019, 04:32:12 PM

Title: Cracked head
Post by: 1977Bobcat on March 28, 2019, 04:32:12 PM

I was just informed that my bobcat has a cylinder head crack.  The mechanic says it is a hairline crack, so I need to decide to replace it or use it until it fails.

I was trying to get my Bobcat ready for the Stampede, so had the head rebuilt, new radiator, new distributor, new timing belt, new plugs and wires, new carburetor.

And now this.......... ...

Car has been already been at the shop for a month

Title: Re: Cracked head
Post by: Wittsend on March 28, 2019, 06:32:04 PM

Where is the crack?

Any kind of advise like this is "Do At Your Own Risk" but I have a crack right through the valve seat on my Turbo motor. Hearing almost all these heads have cracks I just went ahead and used it. I don't drive much (maybe 3,000 miles in 8 years) but so far..., so good.

Title: Re: Cracked head
Post by: The Whistler on March 28, 2019, 07:19:18 PM

Repair the head or replace it

Title: Re: Cracked head
Post by: 65ShelbyClone on March 28, 2019, 09:03:18 PM

Yes, where is it cracked?

As some background, turbo 2.3 heads are almost universally cracked between the seats by now. They are so prone to cracking that it's usually a surprise when they haven't.
The typical course of action with those is to either run it anyway or install hard seats to stop the crack before it worsens and hits water.

Title: Re: Cracked head
Post by: 1977Bobcat on April 25, 2019, 09:34:40 AM

I got the pinto back from the shop.  It doesn't sound great, but runs and drives. Think it has a dead cylinder because it is knocking.  The shop gave me good deal because they couldn't fix it. So now I have all these new parts on a broken engine.

I drove it home.  Washed it thoroughly, and parked it in the back yard.  It still looks nice, but I don't have the money or mechanical know how, to continue.

Title: Re: Cracked head
Post by: 65ShelbyClone on April 25, 2019, 10:12:45 AM

A dead cylinder doesn't knock.
What did you take the car in for to begin with? What did the shop actually do and/or bill you for? What was the deal with the spark plug that had "mechanical damage" back in October?

Title: Re: Cracked head
Post by: The Whistler on April 25, 2019, 11:35:08 AM

Yes engines can and will knock when and if you have a dead cylinder! You may not like this. Sorry you did not repair or replace the head. It would have been much cheaper and you would have been a lot happier.

Title: Re: Cracked head
Post by: The Whistler on April 25, 2019, 07:05:36 PM

Also on a side note. If you are not too familiar with these heads you can cause a host of headaches! Take a sound clip of the engine running and post it here.