I have a 1961 Dodge W200 Power wagon and it looks like the engine is seized. I would like to fine a replacement but I can't fine one. Can you help?
12 Answers
There are still plenty of 318s floating around wrecking yards and if you check out old motor homes, there might be a decent 440 to be had at a relatively cheap price as well as on-line engine recyclers. Check local (state or region) wrecking yards, also Craig's List might have something worthwhile from a donor vehicle. But either way, you'll have to go through a used engine to make certain that it is still useable.
But how do I know an engine in a junk yard is good? Is there a test I can do?
What will the mystery oil do? Just free up the pistons?
The only two mods I was willing to consider was switching to fuel injection instead of carburetor, and changing the oil air filter to a standard air filter. But that means losing the original engine. And frankly, I don't know what kind of engine I could get that would offer me fuel injection and fit the truck.
Here are a couple of sites. I personally have not used them and you'll have to do the research for quality and warranty. /r mpw5 www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_brands/replacement_engines www.swengines.com/UsedEngines
Re: Try this. Remove the spark plugs and fill the cylinders with Marvel's Mystery Oil. Leave it sit for about a week. Then try to turn the engine by hand. While your waiting for the Marvel's Mystery Oil to work you can lube the upper engine by removing the valve covers and pouring oil on the valve train. HTH. -Jim Do I use the mystery oil in the valve train as well, or just regular motor oil?
The info that Jim has given you is very accurate. I agree with the idea of seeing if the engine will turn over by hand before going out and looking at a different engine. When I rebuilt the top end of a Plymouth 383 in the early 80s, I went through 6 sets of heads before I found two that were worth the investment of grinding the valve seats, putting in new valves and springs. It's a complete pain so if your engine is rebuildable, your best off because you already have the correct engine. /r mpw5
Windy, I was looking back at your comments and feel that switching to fuel injection and a KN air filter will improve the performance of your Power Wagon once you get it running again. There are numerous after market parts that will "bolt on" to the present intake manifold and, if you add headers, it'll flow better. But that's down the road after you get the wagon motating once again. Just make certain that you keep the original parts for if you decide to sell the vehicle down the road. /r mpw5
The KN oil filter, it says that you can just take out the oil based one and use the same hardware. Is that right? I thought I would need a new airfilter housing or something.
You need to make certain that you get the proper filter for your particular vehicle and engine. You will need to make certain that you follow directions to the letter. In your situation, you may have to move some stuff around inside the engine compartment. For instance, in my Dakota, I have to remove the existing air intake and replace it with the equipment that comes with the KN system. /r mpw5
Hi guys. I tried the mystery oil for a week, got the breaker bar and a long pipe and it isn't budging. But then I realized I didn't oil the valves. So I took off the valve covers, but I don't know where to put the oil. Or if I should just call it dead and either rebuild it or buy a rebuilt. I've been working on trying to get it to budge for over seven hours and I just don't know what to do now.