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Seems to me you’d do well to start lining up a replacement 215, just in case yours can’t be saved. Or at least a donor engine to combine with parts of your own that can be saved. Several of us probably have extras. I know that a member there near you in OH bought a NOS block a while back and may still have it available. I have what’s left of a long block engine that I’ve picked parts from if it’d be helpful. It’s a long block with all internals intact. I’ve not had it apart so don’t know the condition of its guts. Stu
I have a block from what was a running 215 over here in central PA that I know is good. It measures to stock bore but one cylinder is scored from a broken ring. Should be easily machined or sleeved. I have other miscl parts but you might have everything else. I sold the head but yours is probably good. FREE, come get it!
Yes, Kevin, that would be you. I didn’t recall you having four! And I’ll mention it before a moderator comments, there is to be no talk of money in the threads. Stu
I recently re-built my 215 cid engine. We dealt with the scarcity of parts issue, by re-boring to 223 cid. Finding replacement pistons and rings for a 223 cid engine is much easier--and cheaper. BTW, the rebuild ended up costing about $2100. It was money well spent to get a nice running (and looking) dependable engine.
Good luck with your project. You've come to the right place for help and advice for your project.
Thanks to all of you guys for your expertise. So, there is no danger(as far as the casting thickness)in boring to 233 3.265"? So I'll be cutting .065" out of the 215. That would surely remove any pitting, right?
Thanks Bhalemail for the 215 offer. I have a friend in Pittsburg that I visit from time to time so I could fit in a stop to see you if it turns out that I need a block.
The machinist that did my work said there was no problem boring out to 223 cid. I believe he said I could even re-bore it again should the need ever arise down the road to go to oversize pistons and rings. My engine was very worn before the overhaul, and the rebore easily took out the taper and ridge I had going on in my cylinder bores.
Thanks Mixer Man. My Uncle said that he poured oil in the combustion chambers not long after the water got in. But that was 40 years ago.
I won't open it up until Spring, so I guess the soaking will continue for now.
With all due respect to your uncle, I don't think he knows, or knew, that oil floats on top of water, so that would have done more harm than good in helping the water to evaporate more quickly. In hindsight, and for future reference, the best thing he could have done is poured denatured alcohol into it. Denatured alcohol is miscible with water and will aid in its rapid evaporation before the oxidation process begins.
Also if the engine has been sitting in the barn unsealed since 1978 you may have critters that have moved inside it. Mouse pee is very corrosive. You may want to pull the head and see if you have uninvited guests.
Yes, Kevin, that would be you. I didn’t recall you having four! And I’ll mention it before a moderator comments, there is to be no talk of money in the threads. Stu
My retirement returns have seen a nice upswing in the past 5 weeks. I also saved a few hundred by switching to Geico.
Also if the engine has been sitting in the barn unsealed since 1978 you may have critters that have moved inside it. Mouse pee is very corrosive. You may want to pull the head and see if you have uninvited guests.
When Pete says "very corrosive" he means with a capital "V" and "C".
Small mice will actually crawl up the exhaust and into the engine. If an exhaust valve is open they can make it all the way into the cylinder. Same thing from the intake if the carb is off.
I have to touch up the paint on my engine because of the little buggers.
I guess I won in the end. I killed them all.
Thanks to all of you guys for your expertise. So, there is no danger(as far as the casting thickness)in boring to 233 3.265"? So I'll be cutting .065" out of the 215. That would surely remove any pitting, right?
Thanks Bhalemail for the 215 offer. I have a friend in Pittsburg that I visit from time to time so I could fit in a stop to see you if it turns out that I need a block.
Here's a rebuild parts list if you haven't found it yet:
