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Engine Condition?

Chief Brody

Chief Brody

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Can any of you experience wrenchers tell anything by these photos about the condition of the engine? I am starting to get curious about it, but I haven't torn into it yet...the passenger side exhaust ports have a lot more "soot" than the driver's side...what causes that?

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The valve on the right in picture 5 looks oily...is that bad seals?
 
I would guess valve seals. VERY common on the SBC

Looks like its been apart or at least had the heads off before. The stock healdbolts have a 5/8th head, those look like the felpro head bolts wth a 1/2" head.
 
how much does it run these days to have the heads reworked?

how much to have a 350 rebuilt?
 
79rustyk10 said:
Looks like its been apart or at least had the heads off before. The stock healdbolts have a 5/8th head, those look like the felpro head bolts wth a 1/2" head.
Click to expand...

I was told it was a crate engine?
 
So somebody put it in a crate. That always cracks me up. A crate engine in my book is a new, not remanufactured or rebuilt. I always ask which was somebody says crate. That engine was apart at some time. Like 79 said, I don't think those are stock head bolts. I would at least pull it apart and check tolerances and wear. If it looks good, resell it and go.

Again, what are you planing to do with it? Is it going in a DD, trail rig or something you are trying to sell?
 
ktmoutfront said:
Again, what are you planing to do with it? Is it going in a DD, trail rig or something you are trying to sell?
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Not a daily driver...not a trail rig...not planning on ever selling it...restoration...drive it without top when the weather is good...
 
x2. Im going to bet thats more like 15k miles on a "mexican rebuild". Cost to just do a minimal but proper rebuild on your motor, figure $1000-$1500. Thats doing things right but not going over the top. That said, the gm crate engines you can find on summit seem to be the hot ticket. I believe the 290hp unit has the most all around cruiser/mpg/hp combo.

This one. Just over 2k.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12499529/

nal-12499529_w.jpg
 
I believe your engine should be orange if you are restoring it.

Martin
 
I just need to get in there and have a look...not looking to spend money where not necessary.
Everybody says that a 350 is easy remove heads and have worked and put back on...
can evaluate the condition of the bottom at that time...

Not sure I could rebuild a whole 350 myself...
 
Probably your best corse of action to check the condition of your motor is a leak down test. Its pretty cheap and easy and can tell you more than a visual inspection. It will also tell you more than a typical compression test. One of the nice things about the leak down test is that if you have a bad valve, you can hear the air escaping from the cylinder from the exhaust port or the intake depending on what valve is bad. If you do pull the heads, an old timers trick is to put the heads upside down on a bench and fill the combustion chambers with brake fluid. Leave it over night and if one of them has leaked it will be empty and there will be a a puddle in either the exhaust port or intake or both.

 
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I guess I just won't know until I take the valve covers and oil pan off...dang thing runs good and starts up on the first bump...it's just that since I am restoring the whole body...I kinda want to make sure the engine is reliable and won't get me stranded...I have no reason to believe it will...but this is one of those "might as well while you got the engine out" things...
 
Unless you would like a project for later... On the bright side with the leak down, all you really need to do is pull the valve covers off so you can back all the rockers off.
 
y5mgisi said:
Unless you would like a project for later... On the bright side with the leak down, all you really need to do is pull the valve covers off so you can back all the rockers off.
Click to expand...

can you test each cylinder at a time and turn the engine until both valves close?
 
imiceman44 said:
yes but it more work and it's not a bad idea to check your valve adj anyway
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I'll have to get a manual...it's been 27 years since I adjusted valves and that was on a 4 banger...

What will I need...feeler gauges?
 
Avoid the 290hp motor. I have one. Hate it. I'd give more detail but typing on a tablet sucks. :-(
 
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