Locked up 440

[Cuda Cody]

[Topcat]

I got a cheap 440 some time ago

Jon

How cheap and do you know what year it is? Certain blocks/heads are better than others.

[JonS]

TC, it is a "5" year block ('65?).

I think I'm going to give the 4x4 a shot and a bigger hammer with a diesel soak.  I'll be sure to post progress (if any is made).

Jon

[Topcat]

TC, it is a "5" year block ('65?).

I think I'm going to give the 4x4 a shot and a bigger hammer with a diesel soak.  I'll be sure to post progress (if any is made).

Jon

66' was the first year for 440.

Look at this and tell us after looking at the casting number what year it is.
Also what is the block vin on it.

http://www.moparts.org/Tech/Archive/motor/36.html

[Topcat]

Some more homework for you.

http://www.440source.com/blockinfo.htm

[Topcat]

Regardless of what year block it is; you're not out of the woods yet. You'll still need to get the block magna fluxed and sonic tested after it has been hot tanked. The heads will need to be magna fluxed also. Estimated 2-300+ bucks to get done. Then add in align bore which I'm sure you'll probably need doing. 

[Challenger6pak]

I have had several blocks frozen due to ring rust or getting too hot.  Soak the block as much as you can.  Try everything mentioned for soaking and then try to hammer the pistons loose with the 4X4.  Hammer it hard.  Don't be nice to it.  It won't turn until all pistons are loose. It may take time but it will come loose. 

[JonS]

TC,

I'll do my homework and figure out what I have here and post back.

The motor was cheap, but fortunately I'm not.  I just need to free up everything before I take it to the machine shop.  They'll make sure the block is good before I build something from it.

Jon

[Moparal]

I have seen where it was difficult to get to 2 rod caps to unscrew the bolts, but never 4.  Cirtain tools will get to them.  Now, take all the main caps off, use a long stick like broom handle and knock the 4 pistons loose from the bottom up. You dont have to get them out quite yet. Then take a pry bar and start lifting on the crank. Up and down up and down. The stuck piston will give it up sooner or later. keep trying to twist the crank too.  Could just be 1 wrist pin stuck in the piston.

[JonS]

Al,

I've give the broom handle from the bottom of the pistons shot.  We were beating on 2x4s on top and were splintering them.  We also were using a pry bar to try and get a lot of leverage on the crank.  No dice there either.

Jon

[Challenger6pak]

I asked a couple of old timers about your motor.  They said to use 50% trans fluid and 50% acetone.  Pour it in the motor and let it sit for several days. 

[mopar12372]

 

[Skunkworks Challenger]

I can vouch for the effectiveness of the 50/50 mix of auto transmission fluid and acetone.  I recently heard about it somewhere, probably on this web-site and mixed up a squirt bottle full.  So far I haven't found anything it wouldn't work on.  I tried every rusty nut and bolt, pipe fittings and all.  If any penetrating formula will loosen that stuck 440 this one will.  PK

[the_engineers]

Yikes! Don't smoke near it...

[Challenger6pak]

Don't turn on a gas heater either.  Leave a window open where ever you do this. It will smell like a nail salon for a while.