Re: The Stripper Clipper (1955 Panama)

Posted by 64avanti On 2015/3/7 19:43:14

Given a modicum of tropical weather today, I decided do a little exploratory surgery on the old 320.
The heads came off last fall and showed that all 16 valves were making adequate seals, though one valve keeper was working it's way loose and could have created some inopportune excitement at some point.
From the outside of the block, there was some shmutz evident on the right rear core plug and some digging with a screw driver revealed a rust hole. This repair was on borrowed time!
Also on the outside of the block was the "Utica"#, AA2126. Whatever that means.
Digging into the short block revealed a double ridge on several of the cylinders, so this block is beyond a quick hone with knurled buckets. :( Looking at the bottom of the pistons revealed that each was marked with the number 708 and I am gonna take a wag that this is the weight of each piston?
Moving on, I pulled a couple of rod bearings and main bearings. The bearings showed much less wear that I would have ever guessed, though there was a little scoring on one of the rod bearings & matching throw. The bearings are marked with what I expect is the date of manufacture, being 3 55.
Over all, the excessive blow by might have been caused by long term sitting and a little resulting rust. Maybe a leaky carb at some point having washed down the cylinders? It is also possible that that the valves were freshened up at some point but there was no evidence of this ever being done. The cam & lifters would be serviceable and possibly the crank, though it would need to be measured.
All in all, this is not forward progress, although it gives a small feeling of accomplishment this winter.