1997 challenger locked up, sort of

[switt]

Had great fathers day on lake, cruising right along. Stopped for a swim and few beverages. One engine would not start. Removed plugs and turned freely with PTO, about 1/4-1/2 turn that is. In one direction its a solid stop, metal on metal. In the other direction it is bit more gradual of a stop. Read on another thread that a carb bolt had gotten into crank case to cause similar problem. My plan of attack, remove carbs and rotary valve. Hopefully can see what is in crank case and perhaps remove with one of those magnet grabbers. If that doesnt work, I plan to go in from the top by removing heads and cylinders. Anyone have different / better plan of attack?
PS was able to get back with the other engine and even had time to stop again for another swim and few more beverages. It was good day.

 

[Dr Honda]

It can be a bolt down in the rotary valve. I've seen it a bunch of times. Take the carbs off an look in. Removing the head is easy to do also.

do both, and let us know what you find.

 

[switt]

Removed air intake, carbs, rotary valve cover and valve. All looked good, no missing nuts/bolts. Removed head, found problem. Chunks of a rave were lying on the piston head. Cleaned out cylinder and cylinder wall and piston / rings look good, at least from the top. Can now turn over about 80% in both directions. Am confident that a chunk of that rave is under crank. Will be removing that cylinder and assessing damage. Anyone know where you can get a rave valve for a 787/800 for cheap?

 

[mikidymac]

If the RAVE valve is in the cylinder you need more than just the RAVE, you are going to need pistons, rings and a bore.

 

[switt]

Yes, I figured the same. However, upon removing cylinder I can find no visual damage to cylinder, piston, or even rings. Ran shop rag around with crank to remove parts of rave in bottom. All looks good so far. Will be flushing / cleaning out bottom, cylinder, pistons/rings, and of course rave port. If closer inspection upon cleaning shows no damage, I'll reassemble and fire it up. Found rave with all parts for under 40 on ebay. Not sure how it is possible to shatter rave and suffer no other internal damage, but that is what I am finding.

 

[switt]

Removed chunks of the rave from top of piston and lower portion of case, cleaned and flushed out with gas, light hone, not that it was needed, and a new rave. Was back out on the lake, lucky me.

 

[mikidymac]

I still don't see how you could have had pieces of the RAVE valve bouncing around the engine and no damage. If it was in the cylinders then you would have trashed the head and tops of the pistons.

 

[switt]

I am not sure how this is possible either. However, noticed problem upon trying to start after having stopped for over an hour. It had to happen at shut down, as it was running fine, then would not turn over when trying to restart. Therefore, not much bouncing around, if any. Found large chunks lying on top of piston and smaller pieces in bottom.

I am going to go buy my lottery tickets now.

 

[Dr Honda]

It's not possible. The damage may have just been minimal. BUT, be certain that there was damage. The lower half is a ticking time bomb at the moment.

Not trying to be negative... just saying.