UPDATE: I did get an iphone- compatible borescope, which worked 1000 times better than the ‘pro-grade’ Snap-On I borrowed. Most bores looked pretty good, a couple had some concerning corrosion on the walls (likely well-open valves). Lots of scunge/old carbon on piston tops. Nothing unusual/foreign to report. I’ve ‘bit the bullet’; my Tri-P carbs are getting rebuilt and I have a slot at a rebuilder after he finishes my brother’s ‘65 GTO 389. Same shop that built his 1170 HP Indian Adventures motor. Probably pull my 389 end of this month.
Started disconnecting things so I can take the motor out. Grey, dry, flaky oil sludge all over under the rocker covers. Tri-P carbs are done, just have to get shipped back to my waiting intake. Exciting!
Motor is out. Took heads off, made a rounded-off 4x4" 'pestle', beat on the pistons a few times and the pistons broke free. Good thing; couldn't get at the flywheel bolts unless I could turn the crank and wasn't looking forward to flipping the motor upside-down and pulling the trans & crank as one unit!
Update : working on the car again. Motor has been at the rebuilders for 13 months, had a couple of reports that it was very good internally; crank only needed polishing. .030, all machine work done except exhaust valve seats. 067 cam / Tri-P. Meanwhile: have rebuilt the rear brakes, got the wrong front wheel cylinders but that's next. Original rear drums were great/cleaned up nicely. Dropped the gas tank and it was still spotless inside (sealed it like 30 years ago). Rinsed it out well, JB Welded a pinhole on the top side, going to paint the whole exterior. Have new brake hoses, SS fuel line & brake lines on hand, plus new dual exhaust system. Replaced filter & end seals on the trans. Shock pistons are still perfect- put on 30 years ago. Eyeballing tires next, have to finish spit-shining engine bay.
Tires bought & mounted, gas tank w/ new SS sender reinstalled, new fuel & brake lines installed, bearings cleaned/ checked/ greased/ installed. Hydraulics only need bleeding. Question- these '57-64 BOP rears are front-loaders. Car has been sitting inside 30 years now, whould you guys just check the fluid level and go, or would you pull the carrier and inspect/clean it out? About 6 years ago I opened up a rear on a vehicle sitting since roughly the late '70s, and the 'rust fuzz' & sludge inside was crazy :
Pretty rough, but once cleaned/flushed as well as possible, it seems fine. '40's Eaton 2-spd rear ~ 13.75" ring gear, only 6 bolts!
