Inherited 86 Chevy from Grandpa

[Texasline]

My "new" mechanic and I had a talk about the issues. In the last 2-3 days this "tick" got worse and it looks like the liffters were not getting oil; oil level had dropped tremendously in this time period.

I had put in a quart of different oil a few days ago - still 10-40 though.

It is burning oil (but not a lot) - I knew this. At first they recommended a complete overhaul, because of the burning oil and the thought that it appeared to be leaking from the rear main seal and the bottom ring seals. After the $2100 quote I said that that was not going to happen. Then I pointed out the oil near the fuel pump.

The actual mechanic and I got under the truck and he begin to think that even though it was burning oil, a few steps could be taken first, to see if we could get it in better shape before such a drastic operation.

The valve cover gaskets weren't leaking too bad...so...instead of a complete overhaul,....which wasn't going to happen anyways....

I had them replace the Fuel Pump gasket, and do an oil change but this time with "Lucas" oil treatment and 20-50 oil. Never heard of 20-50 oil. Anyhow, hope this helps the poor thing

When I finally got him to try something else instead of the "overhaul" route, I though that maybe this is something I could of done - ie the Fuel Pump gasket.

It's a good learning experience though...so maybe next time.

Any thoughts?

[firenuttz]

is this truck your only means of transportation? if it isnt than i think that you should study your haynes manual and try to do some of this stuff for your self, because that manual will tell you step by step what you will need and how to do a complete over haul of the truck, there is no reason that you should be over $4000 into this truck for a "certified Mechanic" to not know whats wrong with your truck. i dont like to go to mechanics because all that they are are professional parts changers and they will spend every dime you have fixing stuff that isnt broke to tell you that they cant find the problem. but thats just my opinion, between this website and your manual you can rebuild that whole truck by your self with the help of a few friends

sorry for my tangent

p.s. if you do start working on your truck than i sugest that you invest in a bottle or two of gojo hand cleaner because your hands will get dirty

[sandorjoben]

I used the lucas oil treatment stuff over the course of two oil changes to actually stop a very minor main seal leak that was just starting, and it is still good after 10,000 km.

I can't read the # in your first picture for the potential casting code because of the grease, but I got mine by laying under the truck, soaking a rag with engine degreaser and wiping the engine code/casting # areas off, then using a large flattened out chunk of silly putty(yes, the stuff kids get in the plastic egg). You can find the numbers by touch laying under the truck by running your fingers just forward of your tranny's bellhousing( on the engine block, about an inch ahead ) up near the top driver and passenger sides, the #s are stamped on a a flat pad on both the driver's and passengers side, the driver side on my truck had the 5.0L stamp and the passenger side had the block code. I pressed the silly putty onto the numbers and then read them in a mirror, since they'll come out backward in the putty. Hope this helps.

[DetroitDan]

I dont worry about oil leaks, most engines have them and it isnt a problem unless the oil is running out. They usually come from cold starts, putting a load on an engine without giving the gaskets a chance to warm up and expand.
If your engine is making noise internally, and topping off the oil didnt quiet it down, 20w50 and Lucas isnt going to help. 20w50 is a lot thicker, especially when cold, than what that engine calls for. If it's old and worn, thicker oil will take a little longer to leak out, and to burn off, but it isn't going to correct any problems, despite what the old-timers think. My buddy just bought a used truck with a 350 with a ton of miles on it, on the advice of his brother the diesel expert, he changed it to 15w40 from the recommended 5w30 and got 3000 miles out of it before it blew up.
Lucas has a good name, compared to most snake oil, but I don't believe any fluid has the power to rebuild an engine or repair a leaking gasket, and if it's going to plug a leak it's going to plug a lifter.
What missing bolts are you talking about? How low did the oil level get? Interesting to find out if you did engine damage or not. Valve cover gaskets are easy to replace, but whatever oil they lose is not likely to be significant, there's no oil pressure in there. I hate that you are paying people all this money to not fix it right. I hada truck like that when I was young, I had five motors in it in three years (I'm hard on things). I got to where I could pull one and drop the other in, hook everything up and get to work on time in the morning. Think my best time was 1.5 hours start to finish, and that's outside with no airtools. And I used to be able to get a running 350 carbed motor for about $250 anytime I needed one. If you were nearby I could find you a decent running replacement motor and have it in and running for next to nothing. That's how easy these things are.
So, if it breaks don't panic, it's just a motor, there's another one somewhere waiting for you. Make friends locally through a car club or something, and guys will be more than willing to turn wrenches with you. If I had to pay for all the stuff I've learned to do myself I'd be broke. Well, actually I am broke, but you get the point.

[Pop's C-10]

2100 for tha rebuid or is that tha instal to.... Stop for a second. get every book you can on sb chevy 350 & jus read them a few times. search tha net too. in tha long run it will save you some coin & you'll have tha pride in knowing you fixed ya gradpa's truck yourself & she runs like a top. Cause most mechanics will screw you out ya money on a old ride as much a dealer would you on late model..good luck man

[motornut]

don't know if others here have used dura-lube
i've found it helps with lifter type noise
and is helpfull if you run outa oil without knowing
kinda like insurance for $15.

[Texasline]

Originally Posted by DetroitDan

I dont worry about oil leaks, most engines have them and it isnt a problem unless the oil is running out....It was
If your engine is making noise internally, and topping off the oil didnt quiet it down, It did stop the lifter problem20w50 and Lucas isnt going to help. 20w50 is a lot thicker, especially when cold, than what that engine calls for. If it's old and worn, thicker oil will take a little longer to leak out, and to burn off, but it isn't going to correct any problems, despite what the old-timers think. ...SO are you saying I might have made the problem worse?
...Lucas has a good name, compared to most snake oil, but I don't believe any fluid has the power to rebuild an engine or repair a leaking gasket, and if it's going to plug a leak it's going to plug a lifter.Apparently the fuel pump gaskets were put on incorrectly and had come loose and thus the quick loss of oil(still trying to figure out what the fuel pump has to do with oil loss
What missing bolts are you talking about?housing behind the engine How low did the oil level get? Interesting to find out if you did engine damage or notdoesn't seem so. Valve cover gaskets are easy to replace, but whatever oil they lose is not likely to be significant, there's no oil pressure in there. I hate that you are paying people all this money to not fix it rightME TOO! I'm was at the "end of my rope" 6 mo ago. I hada truck like that when I was young, I had five motors in it in three years (I'm hard on things). I got to where I could pull one and drop the other in, hook everything up and get to work on time in the morning. Think my best time was 1.5 hours start to finish, and that's outside with no airtools. And I used to be able to get a running 350 carbed motor for about $250 anytime I needed one. If you were nearby I could find you a decent running replacement motor and have it in and running for next to nothing. That's how easy these things are. If I was nearby...I'd have this thing parked in your driveway in the morning
So, if it breaks don't panic, it's just a motor, there's another one somewhere waiting for you. Make friends locally through a car club or something, and guys will be more than willing to turn wrenches with you. ...

Originally Posted by firenuttz

is this truck your only means of transportation?It is. I made a move about 6 mo ago and it is a God Send. I need the truck to get to work. if it isnt than i think that you should study your haynes manual and try to do some of this stuff for your self, because that manual will tell you step by step what you will need and how to do a complete over haul of the truck, there is no reason that you should be over $4000 into this truck for a "certified Mechanic" to not know whats wrong with your truck.Actually I'm on my 5th mechanic! ...website and your manual you can rebuild that whole truck by your self with the help of a few friends

I greatly appreciate those of you who responded to my thread. You all had good thing to say and point out. And I'm greatful.

But the thing that isn't understood is something I tried to be humorous about in my first few posts. I'm as qualified to work on a car as an acountant trying to ride a bull. You all know what you're hearing in the cars you work on, you know what to look for and you mostly know what the problem might be, and how to fix it.

I'm totally lost. I don't have a clue about the noises...or what might be wrong. Everytime I take the truck in I try to learn something from what the mechanic says.

The two things I'm going to take from this dialogue are:

ONE - join a car club. At first I thought this was silly considering my lack of mechanical knowledge, but I am seeing the light on this. I have looked around on the internet and asked a few old Chevy truck owners about this....so far not finding anything.

TWO - I am going to read my Haynes book more thoroughly. I also have the Chilton Book that Grandpa had(copyright 1986). I seems to be very detailed.

Thank you again, DetroitDan, Motornut, 67resurrection, lindstromjd, terryj, sandorjoben and others.

...i guess its time to let this thread die now...I'll still post here though. I've learned a lot from reading the other posts...and I know ya'll will chime in.