Engine questions:
 

The PO said it was a 327 with 200 miles on it since a rebuild. A peek under the valve cover on the driver side shows a lot of gunk, not a 200 mile head. The numbers on the head are a hi po 327 but the numbers on the block (front and back) say 307. Anyhow, when I drive it long enough to get the engine warm, it starts blowing oil from the valve cover breather on the driver side, pushing it out around the dipstick, and anywhere else it can. There is vaccum at the carb. The pcv works. If I put my hand over the pcv hole in the valve cover there is no suction or pressure. If I put my hand over the breather hole in the other valve cover the pressure pushes my hand away. Compression on all cylinders is approx 125. One mechanic wants to pull the engine for a rebuild, another says pull the heads first. What do you guys think?

Re: Engine questions:
 

Sounds like ring blow-by, at least on the driver's side. I predict a rebuild in your future.

Sucks when people lie about their stuff. Or maybe his definition of a rebuild is a new manifold, carb, and valve covers.

Re: Engine questions:
 

I'd rebuild it just so you know for sure what has been done to the engine

Re: Engine questions:
 

Probably a 461 or 462 casting on the heads......they should run goood on your 307 , with a freshenup on the old motor. I agree, rings.....you should see 150-160 psi on the guage. crazyL

Re: Engine questions:
 

Seems we are all thinking the same problem. Just can't decide on the solution. Either have the 307 rebuilt, or go with the 290hp crate 350.

Re: Engine questions:
 

for plug and play, the crate 350. but for an awesome lil mouse, the 307. the 307 is frowned upon just because of its cid. but those things are pretty killer with a freshening up and a set of vortec heads

Re: Engine questions:
 

You say the pvc works correctly. When did you check it. Just after running a bit or when the motor starts pushing oil out the breather.
A new cheap pvc is kinder to your wallet than a motor rebuild any day.
A fresh motor with poor pvc operation will act just like yours.
Save some mulla. Do a little more research. JMHO.

Re: Engine questions:
 

Well the old engine turned out to be a 307 that had NOT been rebuilt. Just painted and dressed up. Found a 4 bolt main 350. Bored it over .30, bearings, rods, rings pistons, polished the crank, upgraded the cam, put my hi po heads on it with all new parts. Added my Edelbrock intake and carb. Used the Edelbrock valve covers for now, but thinking I'll change them for some chevy units painted to match the engine, powder coated the ram horns and dropped it in. WOW! What a difference. Power and performance. First road trip was about 60 miles. No leaks, no drips, no errors.