Need some advise

[Nima]

Hello all:
I am planning my truck's next project/upgrade: engine and transmission. Here is the story; I believe I have a good engine. It drives fine, no smoke and takes off fast. I am planning to check the compression but have not done it yet. the problems are 1- oil leaks 2- possible Valve guide issues. I believe my engine is 350 but what year? I don't know. All numbers on the block have been scraped off. As far as transmision goes, Ihave 3 on the tree.
Now these are the question:
1- What are the most common area for oil leaks? I have read here that dropping the oil pan to change the gasket and possible find a number on the block is a pain. If this true anybody has any tips?
2- If I want to change the cylinder head, what are the suggestion? specially if I don't have any block number?
3- I really like the manual. I read a lot the camaro's five speed is not a best choice. Any ideas?
4- Finally the most important issues: This my first truck rebuild (in that matter, car or truck) therefore I need something that I can handle. Second, I reely need to stay within budget.
thanks for any help.

[clay68c10]

It would take a lot of work to grind down the casting # at the left rear of the block. Maybe it's just covered up with old oily dirt. Have you tried to get that area clean? Having a casting # would help you figure out what eng you have and make some of your future repairs easier.

[bent]

Ok the best thing to do on a budget is hit the wrecking yards there is still plenty amounts of good used parts.

As far as the heads most chevy and GM vehicles came equipped with SB350 engines so i would start there.

As far as what you said about the casting numbers i can completley with what clay68c10 said. Just you some degreaser and wash the block off.

As far as aeras of leakes if it is comming from the heads you need a rebuild fast and if its comming from the pan un do the radiator hoses and pull the fan and radiator and pull the exhaust manifold and engine mount bolts and get the cherry picker and lift the engine but not too much just enough to give youre self a little working room.


I hope this helps.

[ChevLoRay]

You mentioned no smoking, then said something about your valve guides. If your valve guides are worn, you will see smoke on start-up. It happens because the oil gets past the worn guide and down into the top of the cylinder where it is burned off at start-up. Studebaker used an umbrella-style seal (that Chevy didn't use) on the top of the head that was a remedy for those worn and leaky guides. The seals won't serve to fix a worn guide, but are designed to keep worn guides from allowing the oil to seep down the valve stem and into the combustion chamber.

As far as potential sources for oil leaks....anywhere there is a gasket there is a possible leak. Anywhere. If it is a seal, it can leak. The issue becomes sticky in trying to figure out WHICH seal is leaking. Since leaking fluids run downhill, it is easy to be mis-lead and assume that the leak is at an entirely different point than it actually is.

[Nima]

thanks for inputs. About the valve guides, then if I don't see any smoke at start, then I don't have a worn guide? Also about the oil pan, is it possible or easier to drop the cross member that removing radiator and etc? Just a thought.