Turbo time!

I have an old Bluepoint OBD1 reader that I picked up years ago. The FWD logic module was reading an excessive rich code. The MP one is showing code 54. I've replaced the HEP with a NOS Mopar one. The car runs and boosts fine when cold. After the O2 sensor kicks in it goes into limp mode and won't build boost. The O2 got beat up taking the turbo in and out several times, and honestly it probably got soaked in oil from the leak so I'll start by replacing it

Decided that Tony shouldn't be having all the fun to himself, so yesterday I buttoned up the Shelby's engine.



My plan was to take advantage of today's beautiful weather and go to the DMV this morning, get a temporary operator's permit, drive the Shelby to the local car wash and remove 3+ years of garage dust, then drive it to work today and have it smog tested, then go get my new registration/tag tomorrow. Great plan! Can't miss!

It wasn't until I pulled into the DMV parking lot in the Corvette that I remembered today is Veterans Day.. and thus the DMV is closed. So much for my plans.

(BTW: THANK YOU to all you veterans who have served our country!)

@TurboMinivan get her out there! I've been trying to get a group of TD owners together to maybe hit a few car shows next summer. These cars are not well represented, but seem to draw a lot of attention at the shows.

I've started pulling the engine apart on the Charger. I'll post a full update this evening, but long story short.... fully CNC ported head (runners and chambers), big valves with back cut, ported intake and exhaust manifolds, O ringed block and 3 forged pistons and one slightly melted forged piston.

Here is my question for now. This is the only damage to the head. Fixable? Useable as is? Engine appears to have less than 10k on the build, everything but the piston is super clean

xjtony said:

@TurboMinivan get her out there! I've been trying to get a group of TD owners together to maybe hit a few car shows next summer. These cars are not well represented, but seem to draw a lot of attention at the shows.

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In years past, I have taken this car to a couple of shows around SL and UT counties. Perhaps I'll get back into that.

Oh, and maybe I'll drive it up to your place some time just for a quick visit.

xjtony said:

Here is my question for now. This is the only damage to the head. Fixable? Useable as is?

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I feel like the potentially damaged spot is in the shadow in this photo and thus difficult to see. What looks bad to you, in particular?

You're more than welcome to come out any time! The "damage" is just the pitting along the right side of the chamber. Everywhere else is 100%.


Here is where the real damage is. The bore itself doesn't look damaged, it appears that part of the piston melted to the wall maybe? I'm going to start with scotch bright pads and go from there to see how bad it really is. The hardest part might be finding 1 forged piston.


I'm going to pull the oil pan and this piston tomorrow so I can get a better idea of what happened.

xjtony said:

The "damage" is just the pitting along the right side of the chamber.

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I'm no expert, but since the gasket mating surface seems to be unharmed I'd probably just run it.

xjtony said:

The hardest part might be finding 1 forged piston.

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Oh, gee, I think one of the vendors sells individual slugs. Maybe FWD Performance? I can ask around for you if needed.

The block is steel right?
I've had good luck getting smeared aluminum off of cylinder walls with a q-tip dipped into muriatic acid.

TurboMinivan said:

I'm no expert, but since the gasket mating surface seems to be unharmed I'd probably just run it.



Oh, gee, I think one of the vendors sells individual slugs. Maybe FWD Performance? I can ask around for you if needed.

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I tend to agree on the head damage. I'm going to clean it good tomorrow and stick the scope down the runners, but i don't expect to find anything serious.

I'll pull the piston tomorrow and see who made it.

@Gravy I'll pick some up tomorrow and give it a try. I'd like to get away with a dingle ball resurfacing. The engine appears to be maybe a 10k rebuild or less. The only wear is that piston.

The head is fully CNC ported (intake and exhaust runners as well as the chambers) and has oversized back cut valves.


The intake and exhaust manifolds are also ported.



All the hardware has been ARP stuff.

Stratton for the WIN!

Muriatic acid removed the melted piston. The cylinder is fine but it'll need a light hone. There are some imperfections that will need smoothed out.

The pistons are JE forged units.


Rods are Eagle forged.



Custom ( appears to be anyways) windage tray.


Everything else shows almost zero wear.

Oh yeah and last week after I found the melted piston i decided to cheer myself up.

I've always wanted one of the big Jegs tachs with the shift light, lol.

xjtony said:

Stratton for the WIN!

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^^Words not often heard.

Looks great! Nice tip, @Gravy . I'm gonna remember that.