05SRT
Enthusiast
Many of you will remember my post several weeks ago that outlined my many tribulations that started immediately after I purchased a used '05 from a dealership in Minneapolis. Only 2 weeks after I returned to Illinois, it spun a bearing, and I was in for an engine swap. Due to my limited budget, I opted for a used 10K-mile engine that was said to "run perfect" by the seller. The local dealership performed the swap, but encountered a number of setbacks along the way, and I was ultimately without my car for about 6 weeks before getting it back with a loud rattle coming from the left valve cover. Long story short, I discovered 2 bent pushrods at the no. 7 cylinder. I replaced both and cranked it again. The exhaust pushrod bent immediately, the other one appeared to work fine. I removed the head and discovered the exhaust valve seat protruding approx. 3/16" into the cylinder. I replaced the entire head with the one from my other engine, swapped the valves, rockers, etc. and she runs great for the first time in over 2 months. Thanks to all who provided tips and thoughts along the way, and thanks to Dan and Viper Specialty Performance for providing my new head gasket with minimal wait and top-notch customer service. It's a perfect fit, and the lifter removal provision is brilliant, though I hope to never use that feature.
