'71 340 Cuda - Look at this motor - How did it get this way??? Any ideas?

[TOP1PERFORMER]

 
I bought a '71 Cuda in very rough shape about 15 years ago. It wasn't running. Had it in dry storage ever since. Thought I would take a closer look at the motor before I pulled the drivetrain and start on the body. There were no rockers or push rods. Lots of rust. Sunday I pulled the intake and heads. It does have a 340 4 bbl manifold and J heads with 2.02 intake valves. There is nothing stamped on the block.
Could not believe what I saw. Look at the PICs. Been into Mopars for over 40 years and can't figure out how this motor got this way 
Someone told me a while ago that that sometimes a motor will get replaced and not have a stamp. Is that true?
Cannot understand why there is so much residue in some of the cylinders and fluid in others.

Did someone drive this thing into a swamp?
Any ideas?

Fred

[jimynick]

Check that schmutz and see if it's granular- it looks like it is- and if you can work up the nerve, either taste a wee dab or see if it'll dissolve in hot water; it may be sugar as that was something sometimes done back in the day and the previous owner may have tried to wash it out with water. Just a S.W.A.G. 

[Rich G.]

My friend bought a 66 Mustang that sat in a garage for years and that's what his engine looked like. Locked up tighter than a drum! I wonder if it's moisture and electrolysis attacking it.

[TOP1PERFORMER]

I felt a little and it did seem granular. Not sure I want to taste it. It was nasty.
Will pull some out tomorrow and try to rinse with hot water.
Initially when I pulled the heads I heard fluid draining. Looked like oil. Thought maybe someone filled the cylinders with oil to free it up. Plugs were still in.
Thanks

[TOP1PERFORMER]

It's hard to believe that there could be that much crud just from sitting but I learn something every day. It wasn't in every cylinder though.
Was hoping for just a rusted cylinder. Would have expected that and would have been much happier.
Will be interesting to play around with the crud tomorrow to see if I can figure it out.
Either way, it's got to come apart.
Thanks

[6bblgt]

was the car underwater in any of the past storms/hurricanes - where was it during SANDY (2012)?

[TOP1PERFORMER]

I've had it since 2004 and stored it inside just the way I got it. Bought it from a guy in PA but think he was just flipping it as it was. I thought the same thing. Maybe he drove it into a swamp. May never know.

[Cuda Cody]

   My guess is it got water in there at some point.

[worthywads]

Any guesses on why the rockers and push rods were removed?

[Husk Challenger]

Maybe someone throw a non running spare engine in the car in order to sell it!
That could explain the missing parts and the flooding... 

[TOP1PERFORMER]

I agree

[TOP1PERFORMER]

Not sure. There were a couple of valves stuck open. I really don't have a clue why the rockers weren't there.

[TOP1PERFORMER]

I guess it's possible that the motor was swapped out but it was in as rough condition as the body. It appeared original.
I'm trying to identify all the Casting #s to confirm the year.

No one responded to the block not having any casting #s on it. That area looks clean and untouched without #s. Nothing was ground off. Again, I was told a long time ago that some factory replacement motors didn't have numbers. Not sure who could answer that one but it would be a big help.

[76orangewagon]

The area on the drivers side block just below the head was stamped for the engine assembly info, my 71 block is lightly stamped and a few digits and letters aren't visible. How about the pad above the oil pan rail on the passenger side behind the motor mount ? That number should contain the vin # and start with 1B ******

[chargerdon]

Really doesn't matter how it got that way but if anytime it sat in the rain, and water gets in it 10+ yrs of sitting will do that.   

At this point, pull the engine and disassemble and then see if it is a useable core !   If not get a 360 from a salvage yard and rebuild it... since that engine doesnt have a plate, then originality is out the door anyways, and 360's are cheap at the salvage yards, and can use the same 915 J heads and intake manifold to save money..    If the crankshaft is bad and needs replaced..then you might as well do a 360 stroker to 408...  cost is about the same.   

Good luck !