Ok, here is the deal. I pulled my engine (working) so I could paint my car. My neighbor has access to the machine shop where he works, it's a military facility. He said he could hot tank anything I wanted, or even get machine work done for me freely. Should I pull my engine and head apart to get it tanked? I'm not real sure what I'm getting into. I want to keep cost down, but what will I definitely have to replace if I clean this engine & head up? How much do I have to tear it down?

Next Question.

I can get a 72' head for free but it has the spark plug tubes. Should I get this head and rebuild it, or just wait and find a tubeless head to rebuild? Is there really a big problem with the tubes? Thanks.

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65' Dart. A work in progress..
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Joe

If you "hot tank" the engine, it will need new cam bearings and freeze plugs afterwards.

This is the best way to get everything clean, inside and out but it does mean an engine rebuild so price a overhaul kit.

As for the "tube style" head, I have no problems getting those to seal.
DD

For the spark plug tube seals, ask for some for a Hemi, they are the same thing. I say that because the parts place I got mine from didn't list them, but did for the 426. Go figure.
Eric

'Hot-tanking' can be done several ways. The old way was using a heated caustic (soda?) solution to soak the parts in. In such a solution, you cannot tank anything aluminum, or lead. This includes, but is not limited to, aluminum w. pump, al. int manifold, cam bearings, al. thermostat hsg, etc. If you forget and mistakenly tank something, it will disolve the aluminum and lead, contaminate the solution, and plate everything with a very thin layer of Al and/or Pb.
The newer, more "green" way utilizes super heated water and bio-friendly detergents. I think they are less harmful to the cam brgs. But, it's a good idea to remove them, first, anyway, to do a more thorough cleaning job.

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'66 Cuda 225/4spd
'66 Dart GT convertible 225/auto
'64 Dart GT 340/4spd

12,000,000+ slant sixes, and they had them for the 64-71 426. Ironic.

Thanks for the replies. I'm just going to get the 72' head and have it built. I guess the tubes aren't that big of a problem if you seal them right. By the way I talked to Jim Cox tonight, .. What a great guy. I'm going to get the timing chain set off of him along with a gasket set. He was very helpful and told me to listen to the Doc. Thanks guys.

Joe
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1965 Dart

I'ld put my whole car in. Would make repainting it a lot easier

-m

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