To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Buford · 06-03-2010, 09:00 AM

I have a 71 2500 GMC Custom Camper. This truck was originally bought by my grandfater and passed down to me a couple years ago. I still have all the paper work (even original window sticker). The engine was rebuilt 46,000 miles ago and runs very strong, but.......that was in 1977! My problem is that although it runs good and the vitals are great, 33 years has not been so kind on the seals and it leaks all over my driveway. I was thinking of pulling the motor and just replacing the seals and gaskets but I'm not sure if I should just rebuild it while it's out. I'm waying the pros and cons. My biggest con is that you don't really know what your getting in a rebuild until it's broken in. I've had piles of crap (snapped crank after 16,000) and great motors. The current motor just sings down the road, and always has. I hate messing with something that works. What do you guys thing?

Thanks!

RustyParts · 06-03-2010, 09:51 AM

I've always believed "If it ain't broke don't fix it". By the way, nice truck.

big blue 72 · 06-03-2010, 09:54 AM

seals and gaskets are cheap. Go for it!

big_al_71 · 06-03-2010, 10:09 AM

I would fix anything and everything that needs attention...

cdowns · 06-03-2010, 10:19 AM

i'd just get a bag of speedy dri and clean the driveway every couple of months

oldblue1968chevy · 06-03-2010, 10:25 AM

id pull it and clean the engine bay up (degrease paint) and put seals in the motor, its just gonna cost you time..

epashhans · 06-03-2010, 11:14 AM

It's pretty easy for things to get carried away. The whole "well, I'm this far, I might as well..." comes into play and pretty soon you have entered a whole new world. If you can stay true to your initial goal of fixing leaks and thats it, go for it. I've seen more weekend jobs turn into a full blown 5 year resto than you could shake a stick at. I'm guilty of the temptation myself! But very happy in the end too.

1949gmc · 06-03-2010, 01:58 PM

What exactly is it leaking? Just engine oil or is it putting some other stuff down, too? I'd say just pull the pan down and change the gaskets and seals if it's just engine oil. What kind of tools do you have? Engine puller? You'll obviously need one if you pull the engine. Harmonic balancer puller? You'll need this to change the front seal. Torque wrench? You'll need one of these to change the rear seal.

All in all, I'd say don't pull it if you don't have to. If it runs great already, do as little as you have to to make it stop leaking. No real need for a rebuild if it has so few miles on it.

The last thing you want to do is to rip it all apart, then have it sit for who knows how long, until you've gotten to the point where you're looking at the piles of parts thinking "What the hell did I get myself into?" How many of us have been there? Huh? Huh? Let's see those hands. I thought so. You've got a great looking truck... you should be enjoying it, not looking at pieces of it scattered all over. Just my two cents.

Jacfourteen · 06-03-2010, 04:05 PM

Change the bare minimum to get the leaks stopped if it is running good. you probably don't need to pull the engine, just drop the pan.

**JDL** · 06-03-2010, 09:31 PM

You should be able to fix all leaks with out pouling the engin. Except the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket. the oil pan can be done in the truck you just have to lift it up.

Buford · 06-04-2010, 01:49 AM

I'll probably pull the engine that just put new gaskets on it. This is not my first engine so I have all the right tools to do the job. Plus, I have to get her back running to put the camper on and do a little camping. Anyway, thanks for the feedback!

Cheers!

tim21391 · 06-04-2010, 03:04 AM

in my opinion... if the motor is already out of the truck why not rebuild it?? you can find cheap rebuild kits on summit.. and since its out you can go ahead and run the parts through a parts cleaner to remove carbon build up on pistons and such an i bet it will fire a lot better.. like dip the heads and such..

beebster · 06-04-2010, 03:11 AM

leave it alone and just drive the heck out of it.
my .02

FLEET72 · 06-04-2010, 03:17 AM

Do a compression check / perhaps a leak-down test. That should give you a more definitive answer on whether to rebuild or not.

Buford · 06-06-2010, 11:35 PM

I'm going to leave it be. Just add oil as needed. I did a compression test today and they were as follows:
1- 141 2- 141
3- 141 4- 142
5- 138 6- 130
7- 142 8- 141

The number 6 cyclinder is about 8% of the high of 142. I figure that's pretty good. Thanks all!

06-03-2010, 09:00 AM	#1
Buford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 27	To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! I have a 71 2500 GMC Custom Camper. This truck was originally bought by my grandfater and passed down to me a couple years ago. I still have all the paper work (even original window sticker). The engine was rebuilt 46,000 miles ago and runs very strong, but.......that was in 1977! My problem is that although it runs good and the vitals are great, 33 years has not been so kind on the seals and it leaks all over my driveway. I was thinking of pulling the motor and just replacing the seals and gaskets but I'm not sure if I should just rebuild it while it's out. I'm waying the pros and cons. My biggest con is that you don't really know what your getting in a rebuild until it's broken in. I've had piles of crap (snapped crank after 16,000) and great motors. The current motor just sings down the road, and always has. I hate messing with something that works. What do you guys thing? Thanks! Attached Images __________________ Buford - 1971 3/4 ton, Custom Camper, 350 Th, 350 SBC. Last edited by Buford; 06-03-2010 at 09:02 AM.

06-03-2010, 09:51 AM	#2
RustyParts Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wyman, Kentucky Posts: 403	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! I've always believed "If it ain't broke don't fix it". By the way, nice truck. __________________ 1972 GMC Jimmy, 4WD, 454 CI, 350 Turbo, 4" lift, 35" tires The math teacher said my son "Bubba" could be a mathmatical genius. cause he's got 13 fingers! Last edited by RustyParts; 06-03-2010 at 09:51 AM.

06-03-2010, 09:54 AM	#3
big blue 72 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: hamilton,ohio,usa Posts: 1,499	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! seals and gaskets are cheap. Go for it! __________________ Broken Back Club 72 Club GMC Club Panel truck Club 6 cylinder Club Unfinished Projects Club Outdoor Sportsmens Club

06-03-2010, 10:09 AM	#4
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! I would fix anything and everything that needs attention... __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

06-03-2010, 10:19 AM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! i'd just get a bag of speedy dri and clean the driveway every couple of months __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

06-03-2010, 10:25 AM	#6
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! id pull it and clean the engine bay up (degrease paint) and put seals in the motor, its just gonna cost you time.. __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

06-03-2010, 11:14 AM	#7
epashhans Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MT Posts: 319	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! It's pretty easy for things to get carried away. The whole "well, I'm this far, I might as well..." comes into play and pretty soon you have entered a whole new world. If you can stay true to your initial goal of fixing leaks and thats it, go for it. I've seen more weekend jobs turn into a full blown 5 year resto than you could shake a stick at. I'm guilty of the temptation myself! But very happy in the end too. __________________ '67 C-10 Shorty - 454, 5spd, and speed holes!

06-03-2010, 01:58 PM	#8
1949gmc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 659	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! What exactly is it leaking? Just engine oil or is it putting some other stuff down, too? I'd say just pull the pan down and change the gaskets and seals if it's just engine oil. What kind of tools do you have? Engine puller? You'll obviously need one if you pull the engine. Harmonic balancer puller? You'll need this to change the front seal. Torque wrench? You'll need one of these to change the rear seal. All in all, I'd say don't pull it if you don't have to. If it runs great already, do as little as you have to to make it stop leaking. No real need for a rebuild if it has so few miles on it. The last thing you want to do is to rip it all apart, then have it sit for who knows how long, until you've gotten to the point where you're looking at the piles of parts thinking "What the hell did I get myself into?" How many of us have been there? Huh? Huh? Let's see those hands. I thought so. You've got a great looking truck... you should be enjoying it, not looking at pieces of it scattered all over. Just my two cents.

06-03-2010, 04:05 PM	#9
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! Change the bare minimum to get the leaks stopped if it is running good. you probably don't need to pull the engine, just drop the pan. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

06-03-2010, 09:31 PM	#10
JDL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Agency IA. Posts: 1,847	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! You should be able to fix all leaks with out pouling the engin. Except the rear main seal and the oil pan gasket. the oil pan can be done in the truck you just have to lift it up. __________________ 72 Chevy short step side with 454 air and tilt. 72 nova project car 63 chevy II drag car Agency Iowa

06-04-2010, 01:49 AM	#11
Buford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 27	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! I'll probably pull the engine that just put new gaskets on it. This is not my first engine so I have all the right tools to do the job. Plus, I have to get her back running to put the camper on and do a little camping. Anyway, thanks for the feedback! Cheers! __________________ Buford - 1971 3/4 ton, Custom Camper, 350 Th, 350 SBC.

06-04-2010, 03:04 AM	#12
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! in my opinion... if the motor is already out of the truck why not rebuild it?? you can find cheap rebuild kits on summit.. and since its out you can go ahead and run the parts through a parts cleaner to remove carbon build up on pistons and such an i bet it will fire a lot better.. like dip the heads and such.. __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

06-04-2010, 03:11 AM	#13
beebster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aurora,Il ..born,raised and still live in the same house Posts: 286	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! leave it alone and just drive the heck out of it. my .02

06-04-2010, 03:17 AM	#14
FLEET72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sonoma, CA Posts: 521	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! Do a compression check / perhaps a leak-down test. That should give you a more definitive answer on whether to rebuild or not. __________________ Oscar '72 Shortbed Fleetside '95 Jimmy 4X4 '69 GMC Custom Camper

06-06-2010, 11:35 PM	#15
Buford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 27	Re: To rebuild or not to rebuild...advice! I'm going to leave it be. Just add oil as needed. I did a compression test today and they were as follows: 1- 141 2- 141 3- 141 4- 142 5- 138 6- 130 7- 142 8- 141 The number 6 cyclinder is about 8% of the high of 142. I figure that's pretty good. Thanks all! __________________ Buford - 1971 3/4 ton, Custom Camper, 350 Th, 350 SBC.



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