Milky oil/antifreeze in carb filtr housing=headgasket leak?

[big blue 72]

Is this fixable or do i need a whole new engine?

[grayw0lf]

If it is just a head gasket, it is very fixable. Have you overheated lately?

[JimKshortstep4x4]

big blue,

Do you mean the PCV setup where the hose from the air cleaner connects to a filter that plugs into the valve cover?

Jim

[dwaite72lnghrn]

Virgil I thought you were gonna wait on that engine to die but I didn't think it would be that quick. j/k After 260 thousand miles it might need a gasket or two. The intake gasket might have gone. Was anti-freeze was good before the last cold spell out there?

[big blue 72]

Hi Dave, yes it all happens so quickly. anyway, thanks for answering everyone. yesterday the computer was down, dont know what it was but today it is fine.
the milky oil is showing up in the air cleaner near the little filter from the pcv filter. seems to be getting into the carb now too. can the head gaskets be replaced? will that solve this problem?

[big blue 72]

can someone give me a "how-to" on pulling the heads and cleaning them up? thanks

[grayw0lf]

1. Take lots of digital photos.
2. Label all everything.
3. Pull everything off (carb, intake, valve covers, head)
4. Take your heads & intake & take them to get a bath @ your local machine shop.
5. Clean all mating surfaces, using RTV where needed (NOT on the head gasket)
6. Install opposite of removal.

[68C15]

call longhornman to come help you. he has been there before. JK Andy
if you do decide to do the head gaskets I hope that solves the problem. I have seen these crack between the lifter bores & the coolant jacket. just a heads-up for ya.

[sdmahr]

Drop that 250 I6 I sold you in the truck ! !

Good luck !

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Milky looking liquid in the air cleaner is an indicaction of worn piston rings or a really bad PCV setup.

How does the oil on the dipstick look?

Jim

[dwaite72lnghrn]

First virgil, Have you been running it till it warms up good? If you have been running it and not warming it up it could get milky. Are you loosing anti-freeze/water from the radiator? A stuck pcv could dump lots of oil into the air cleaner and carb. I just think that engine has been running over 260,000 miles that the head gasket will go like that now (meaning I would be thinking something worse). Have you had any other symptoms/problems before it went? As dry as the valve cover gaskets were I would think Intake gasket.
To do the head gasket you are really going to need to dip the heads which means stripping them down all the way. The sludge build up on your heads will have to be chiseled off just to get to the head bolts. Tear down is the most important part of a rebuild. This is where you find out what is wrong and document how it came apart so you can put it back together.
With that many miles be prepared to go deeper than a head gasket because when to pull the heads you might find ring grooves, worn cam, worn push rods, rocker arms and on and on. If the engine had say 50,000 miles I would say a weekend job for the head gaskets but be ready for more.

[big blue 72]

Dave,and Scott, looks like Blue will get a period of rest this winter. good thing i have the dodge mini van as a spare. Dave thanks for the info, maybe i'll keep looking for another engine, dont have the $$$ to dump into this ol' thing right now. Scott. maybe i WILL put that lil 6 in for a while. Just got some bad news from my back DR.
i have another herniated disc that they wanna cut on. right now its physical therapy for 3 weeks then we will see. cant do the clutch or non power steering either so am looking at a auto tranny from a guy in Oxford and p/s for Blue.
OOps,that p/swont fit on a 250.
Problems., problems......

[sdmahr]

Virgil,

Sorry to hear about your back. Hope you feel better ! ! Let me know if I can be of help to you.

Scott

[big blue 72]

thanks scott, not looking forward to the surgeons words of wisdom . this would be #6.
i just wanna be able to keep walking!

[dwaite72lnghrn]

Well Blue line up your parts and next summer we can do engine/PS/Auto at mikes place. I am sure he won't mind the intrusion. Hopefully I can schedule the time off again as I am already trying to schedule off for the WEST COAST Board meet.

[big blue 72]

Hey dave,
i'm going to look at a 305 monday, and then i think i have someone who will convert Blue from 350/3 on the tree to auto tranny/power steering and maybe keep the old 350 to rebuild someday.I've got a 72 auto column and traded my 71 bed to a young guy for a th350 today. so things are looking up. Time for a new era for Big Blue.
Say "Hello" to Jeanne and your family.
Have a Great Christmas!
virgil

[dwaite72lnghrn]

Blue, I like the 305 for gas mileage. I had a '77 nova with 305/TH350 and 2 BBL on the highway I would get 23mgp at 55mph. Man would that have been great with an overdrive then I could drive at 65mph and got 23mgp. 305 is one of the best overall engines good gas mileage and decent power. It will get better gas mileage than a I6 and have what seems tobe about the same power at the low end but has more grunt near the top. I guess for a 305 used tested is about $550 plus the ride out there in Ohio. That price is on a web page out of cleaveland parts supplier.