How far to go... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Mryan** · 07-20-2019, 07:38 PM

So I pulled a perfectly running engine that didn't use any oil or smoke. I removed it because the rear main seal and oil pan were leaking. So my plan was to simply re-gasket, clean and install. I have a few people telling me that I should pull the heads, check the valves etc... How far should I really go?

garyd1961 · 07-20-2019, 07:45 PM

Put it back together and back in the truck or either a complete rebuild. If it was running good why spend the money but if you are going to spend money on it you might as well do it right.
Personally I would put it back in and run it as long as it will last then buy a crate engine to replace it.

**Grumpy old man** · 07-20-2019, 07:50 PM

How much money do you want to spend ?

If your happy with the way it ran before .Toss a new oil pump in it (Melling ) re gasket and some new paint and your good to go ... being as these engines were built to be repaired without using a 10 mm if it ain't broke don't fix it .

Mike C · 07-21-2019, 09:26 AM

I’m with Grumpy. But if it were mine and it was that far apart it would be getting a new timing chain along with the oil pump and I couldn’t see NOT putting an RV type cam in it. But here we are with project creep....

Check out the Elgin Cams on Competition Products site or the Howards with the 5 year no fault warranty.

But I would do a timing chain and oil pump even if the cam stayed stock.

**Grumpy old man** · 07-21-2019, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I’m with Grumpy. But if it were mine and it was that far apart it would be getting a new timing chain along with the oil pump and I couldn’t see NOT putting an RV type cam in it. But here we are with project creep....

Project creep ? What's that ...

weq92f · 07-21-2019, 11:52 AM

.
I did this...ended up spending a bunch of $$ on roller cam retrofit and head work...then more $$ to swap to electric cooling fans...

love it!!!

What should you do?

Go big or just put it back together w/paint and run it.

-klb

weim55 · 07-21-2019, 12:08 PM

If she has good oil pressure and compression just reseal and go. The only other check I would make is pull and check the base of each lifter for excessive wear.

Steve weim55 Colorado

Ofnaman1 · 07-21-2019, 12:17 PM

If you know any of the history of the engine that should help with your situation. If you do not know any history of it, personally, if I were at the point you are, I'd at least pull bearing caps and check the bearings and I'd reseal the whole thing. I would also replace the oil pump with a high volume pump, or at least a good quality new replacement. Id also replace the freeze plugs at least in the rear if you are not sure how old they are.

68 P.O.S. · 07-23-2019, 03:58 PM

Sub'd, I'm in the same predicament and looking for the same info.

**MySons68C20** · 07-23-2019, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I’m with Grumpy. But if it were mine and it was that far apart it would be getting a new timing chain along with the oil pump and I couldn’t see NOT putting an RV type cam in it. But here we are with project creep....

Check out the Elgin Cams on Competition Products site or the Howards with the 5 year no fault warranty.

But I would do a timing chain and oil pump even if the cam stayed stock.

I would do this but use a flat tappet and break it in correctly and with the right oil & additive.

cypressbog · 07-23-2019, 04:17 PM

Stay with your original intent. New timing chain and gears with new oil pump is good advice.

sprint_9 · 07-23-2019, 06:53 PM

How many miles on it?

**Mryan** · 07-24-2019, 07:44 AM

Mileage is unknown, I believe it has been gone through in the past. I decided to take the advice and replace the oil pump and timing chain, seal things up and put it back in.

57taskforce · 07-24-2019, 11:12 AM

Pump,chain, re seal and let it eat.

68 P.O.S. · 07-24-2019, 01:40 PM

Maybe even a new water pump since you already have the old one off.

**Ironangel** · 07-25-2019, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyd1961

Put it back together and back in the truck or either a complete rebuild. If it was running good why spend the money but if you are going to spend money on it you might as well do it right.
Personally I would put it back in and run it as long as it will last then buy a crate engine to replace it.

^^^Gospel!^^^ Shame on you for pullin it and questioning it with an empty wallet! Jus Sayin

saxart · 07-25-2019, 03:07 AM

I was in a similar situation with the engine in my truck. When I pulled the engine for a reseal and rolled it upside down on the engine stand, about 3 cups of black sludge dumped out on the garage floor even thought I had drained the oil previously.

That lead to the removal of the crank bearing caps which were noted as being scored and discolored from old oil. At this point the engine was done internally, so we ordered a low buck crate engine for $1375 shipped. That was the smartest thing done to this truck.

So, how clean is this engine inside?

07-20-2019, 07:38 PM	#1
Mryan Active Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Madison WI Posts: 146	How far to go... So I pulled a perfectly running engine that didn't use any oil or smoke. I removed it because the rear main seal and oil pan were leaking. So my plan was to simply re-gasket, clean and install. I have a few people telling me that I should pull the heads, check the valves etc... How far should I really go? Attached Images

07-20-2019, 07:45 PM	#2
garyd1961 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Henderson NC Posts: 975	Re: How far to go... Put it back together and back in the truck or either a complete rebuild. If it was running good why spend the money but if you are going to spend money on it you might as well do it right. Personally I would put it back in and run it as long as it will last then buy a crate engine to replace it.

07-20-2019, 07:50 PM	#3
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: How far to go... How much money do you want to spend ? If your happy with the way it ran before .Toss a new oil pump in it (Melling ) re gasket and some new paint and your good to go ... being as these engines were built to be repaired without using a 10 mm if it ain't broke don't fix it . __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

07-21-2019, 09:26 AM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,723	Re: How far to go... I’m with Grumpy. But if it were mine and it was that far apart it would be getting a new timing chain along with the oil pump and I couldn’t see NOT putting an RV type cam in it. But here we are with project creep.... Check out the Elgin Cams on Competition Products site or the Howards with the 5 year no fault warranty. But I would do a timing chain and oil pump even if the cam stayed stock. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

07-21-2019, 11:52 AM	#6
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 3,154	Re: How far to go... . I did this...ended up spending a bunch of $$ on roller cam retrofit and head work...then more $$ to swap to electric cooling fans... love it!!! What should you do? Go big or just put it back together w/paint and run it. -klb __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

07-21-2019, 12:08 PM	#7
weim55 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Larkspur, Colorado Posts: 916	Re: How far to go... If she has good oil pressure and compression just reseal and go. The only other check I would make is pull and check the base of each lifter for excessive wear. Steve weim55 Colorado

07-21-2019, 12:17 PM	#8
Ofnaman1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Reno Posts: 58	Re: How far to go... If you know any of the history of the engine that should help with your situation. If you do not know any history of it, personally, if I were at the point you are, I'd at least pull bearing caps and check the bearings and I'd reseal the whole thing. I would also replace the oil pump with a high volume pump, or at least a good quality new replacement. Id also replace the freeze plugs at least in the rear if you are not sure how old they are.

07-23-2019, 03:58 PM	#9
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: How far to go... Sub'd, I'm in the same predicament and looking for the same info. __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

07-23-2019, 04:17 PM	#11
cypressbog Go Pack Go! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Green Bay Posts: 2,669	Re: How far to go... Stay with your original intent. New timing chain and gears with new oil pump is good advice.

07-23-2019, 06:53 PM	#12
sprint_9 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: 9 Posts: 862	Re: How far to go... How many miles on it?

07-24-2019, 07:44 AM	#13
Mryan Active Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Madison WI Posts: 146	Re: How far to go... Mileage is unknown, I believe it has been gone through in the past. I decided to take the advice and replace the oil pump and timing chain, seal things up and put it back in.

07-24-2019, 11:12 AM	#14
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,444	Re: How far to go... Pump,chain, re seal and let it eat. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

07-24-2019, 01:40 PM	#15
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: How far to go... Maybe even a new water pump since you already have the old one off. __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

07-25-2019, 03:07 AM	#17
saxart Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: St. Croix River Valley, WI Posts: 795	Re: How far to go... I was in a similar situation with the engine in my truck. When I pulled the engine for a reseal and rolled it upside down on the engine stand, about 3 cups of black sludge dumped out on the garage floor even thought I had drained the oil previously. That lead to the removal of the crank bearing caps which were noted as being scored and discolored from old oil. At this point the engine was done internally, so we ordered a low buck crate engine for $1375 shipped. That was the smartest thing done to this truck. So, how clean is this engine inside? __________________ Meet "Old Roy": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707801

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.