1979 Trailfire 440 Project

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cameronv
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Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2025 2:53 pm
Real Name: Cameron

1979 Trailfire 440 Project

Post by cameronv »

Picked up a 1979 Trailfire 440 for $200CDN. Stuck motor, spark plugs missing, parts scattered about the engine bay, chaincase disassembled, missing carb, airbox, recoil.

Popped the heads off, found most bolts were loose :boohoo: but found one side piston was down so no water was sitting on it. Other piston, filled with water and stuck solid. Likely stuck rings. Let 50/50 ATF and Acetone sit in it for a week, seemed some seeped down past the rings but engine didn't move any hitting crown of piston with mallet and block of wood. Broke out the torch, got it spinning over. Dumped some more ATF down the intake ports in the cylinder, hoping to get working on it next week some more.

Cautiously optimistic about the crank bearings, but will be pulling motor to completely reseal. Not too afraid to dig into it at this price, might make a good partout if crank bearings are bad. Hoping to figure out photo posting shortly.

Thanks for looking!
1979 Trailfire 440 Restored! (Using a 1980 Tunnel)
1979 Trailfire 440, Evil Project....
1980 Sportfire
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