1977 Chrysler Cordoba winter rebuild

[Sebb77]

Hey, new to this forum and i wanted to make a post about my project this winter and the progress i have so far.

My car is a 1977 Chrysler Cordoba with a 400, 727 and 8.25 rear axle that i bought earlier this year, the car is in good condition except for a few minor rust spots here and there and the engine and gearbox is leaking and using a bit of oil. thats why i have decided to rebuild the engine and gearbox.

My plan this winter is changing the rod and main crank bearings, new piston rings and putting new gaskets in the engine. I will be installing kb240 flat head pistons with valve reliefs and hopefully bump the compression ratio up abit, new summit racing k6401 cam, new valve springs and also put on adjustable rocker arms. the engine already had edelbrock performer intake, edelbrock 750 and longtube headers.
The transmission will be getting new seals and a transgo tf-2 shiftkit and the rear axle is getting a LSD with 3.73 gearing.
My goal is as close to 400hp i can get and i think this car is gonna pack a good punch when i am done with it!


So far the project is going quite good the engine is out and have been taken apart without any major surprises. the engine has low mileage (75k miles) and not to much wear on anything, however i was missing one piston ring, the rod bearings had copper colour on it and the rear main seal was in quite bad condition so the engine was in need of some service.

I will try and keep updating as often as i can and hope someone will enjoy watching this project, all help, tips and tricks are welcome since this is my first V8 build!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Nice! You will need a stronger rear end for any upgrade. I would suggest a 8-3/4” rear end

 

[Sebb77]

Nice! You will need a stronger rear end for any upgrade. I would suggest a 8-3/4” rear end

Is the 8 1/4 rear end really that weak ? will definitively keep my eyes open for a 8 3/4.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Is the 8 1/4 rear end really that weak ? will definitively keep my eyes open for a 8 3/4.

Well, I had a 400 4 barrel 1977 Cordoba and installed a relatively mild 440. While I was still breaking the engine in (NEVER floored the gas pedal) my 8-1/4” rear end broke apart into pieces (an axle/wheel/tire came out ), so yes, that are very weak

 

[Sebb77]

Well, I had a 400 4 barrel 1977 Cordoba and installed a relatively mild 440. While I was still breaking the engine in (NEVER floored the gas pedal) my 8-1/4” rear end broke apart into pieces (an axle/wheel/tire came out ), so yes, that are very weak

okey, maybe smarter to start looking for a more powerfull axle. does the 8 3/4 fit right in or is there some modifications needed to be done?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

okey, maybe smarter to start looking for a more powerfull axle. does the 8 3/4 fit right in or is there some modifications needed to be done?

I was young and had a shop install it, so I’m not sure. I do know that the ‘77 Cordobas has an “iso-link” rear suspension, so there is a piece of rubber where the leaf springs bolt up to the rear end. You may want to consider removing those pieces of rubber for better handling. The important factors are:
1. Width of rear end
2. Center-to-center distance of the spring perches (can be moved if needed)

 

[Sebb77]

I was young and had a shop install it, so I’m not sure. I do know that the ‘77 Cordobas has an “iso-link” rear suspension, so there is a piece of rubber where the leaf springs bolt up to the rear end. You may want to consider removing those pieces of rubber for better handling. The important factors are:
1. Width of rear end
2. Center-to-center distance of the spring perches (can be moved if needed)

i will try and measure my current rear end and see some specs from the 8 3/4 rear end, if it is fairly close it should not be a problem mocking it up and fabricating some new mounts if needed. i think the cordobas or chargers came with a 8 3/4 so parts must be available i guess. too bad that chrysler parts are fairly uncommon in my country, but hopefully i am lucky and find an axle.

 

[tonysrt]

You mention the rear main seal and just curious if it was rope or the viton rubber seal.

 

[Sebb77]

You mention the rear main seal and just curious if it was rope or the viton rubber seal.

the one that was in the engine was rope seal, i am gonna try and change it to rubber seal. any thoughts on what is better?

 

[hanks73340]

nice project

 

[MarPar]

I will be following along! Great project!

I am tagging my friend aswell. @Dobalovr

 

[WileE]

Is the 8 1/4 rear end really that weak ? will definitively keep my eyes open for a 8 3/4.

May not be easy, look for a 9 1/4 as well.

 

[tonysrt]

The main thing is if the crank has the slash marks where the seal sits, it might be best to go with the rope seal. Those groves would wreck havoc with the rubber seal.

 

[Sebb77]

The main thing is if the crank has the slash marks where the seal sits, it might be best to go with the rope seal. Those groves would wreck havoc with the rubber seal.

Okey, i am buying the rope seal instead. can't remember, but i am quite sure my crank had some tear marks after the seal. any idea on how to install it correctly so it doesn't leak?

 

[Sebb77]

The other day i got the first batch of parts to start working on the engine, i am still missing the new camshaft and pistons before any work on the engine can begin.
The transmission is still in the car so that has to come out this week, then i will install the shiftkit and get the gearbox ready first.
I also bought a can of hemi orange paint which i think will look better then the original chrysler blue, i also got a set of these cool Mopar performance valve covers from a friend of mine that i thinkwill fit much better with the orange engine block and heads.

 

[Don Frelier]

With the summit 6401 cam adjustable rockers are unnecessary.
Unless you're making big changes with deck height or milling the heads a ton.
Even then you can just get custom length pushrods.

 

[Sebb77]

With the summit 6401 cam adjustable rockers are unnecessary.
Unless you're making big changes with deck height or milling the heads a ton.
Even then you can just get custom length pushrods.

What about valve springs, is the original valve springs going to end up coil binding? This helps my budget alot

 

[Sebb77]

Kudos to 440source for quick delivery, ordered this on Sunday and it was at my door step today! the work on the cylinder heads can finally begin, new adjustable rocker arms. these are the ductile iron from 440source with new valve springs, retainers and locks. will update when i get the cylinder head work done!