Re: 63 American 440

[farna@xxxxxxx]

The most common water issue with the 196 is a warped or cracked head. I don't think I've ever seen a cracked block, except for on the had a rod through it and another that had been allowed to freeze. Never from heat though. 

If the buyer is lucky it was just driven without the head being retorqued until it blew the gasket. Resurface the head, rebuild, and replace the gasket. Then remember to retorque the head at least every other year or every 10-15K miles, whichever comes first! To many times people wonder why it's running hot, and continue driving it short distances with the head bolts just loose enough that it will leak once really good and warm. This causes the head to warp. After it's been boiled over a few times, the warped head cracks. 

What color is this car? My old 63 440 sedan made it's way to Oregon. It was a dark green and silver, but the last owner "threatened" to give it a red/white/blue paint job -- blue above spear, white spear, and read below spear; or I may have blue and read switched. I lost track of the last owner. 

On March 4, 2006 russ hathaway wrote:

> I looked at a 63 American 440 2-dr post today. Solid
> car with very little body work needed, it had been
> restored at one time but time got the best of it. OHV
> with auto, console and nice padded dash. The only
> chrome missing is the back window trim, drivers bottom
> corner. It has a cracked windshield but I could see no
> serious leaks.
> It has a cracked block, head or blown gasket as it
> runs rough, has milky oil and no water!! Starts good
> once warm and the tranny shifts into gear nicely. I
> didn't drive it with no water but it has front end
> issues too. All in all, a nice solid project. $800
> located in Grand Rhonde, Oregon at 503-720-2932, ask
> for Bill......Russ
> 
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