Hey everyone,
I wanted to pop on here and say hi. I have a buddy who lives near me with a Cuda sitting in his garage wasting away and he has asked me to help him assemble it, however I need some advice/help. I was a mechanic for about 8 years prior to moving to Alberta, now I'm a power engineer and haven't touched a car in about 3 years (let alone a carburetor-fueled one!).
He had his engine assembled by The Block Shop in Edmonton, AB and they didn't give him a proper build sheet, he has no idea what parts are in it and the motor has sat for a couple years now because he couldn't install it himself and I guess didn't want to pay another shop to do it? Either way the first question I have is regarding the connecting rods. All of them seem to still have their coating intact minus one, it's turned bronze. The motor has never run since the build, but to have a rod turn completely bronze is odd. It's not like from heat discoloration, but the main journal connection is completely bronze and the rod itself is turning from the center out along its whole length. When he's home tonight I grab a photo. Also worth noting the engine was assembled with tranny fluid, and also some manner of hard grease maybe? There is a lot of red "gumming" at the main journals, same color as the tranny fluid, but it's almost the consistency of bearing lubricant.
Maybe you guys could direct me to the forum on here where I could get some insight?
Thank you! Look forward to using this forum.
Chris