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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ozark, al
Posts: 583
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gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
I bought my 69 swb just a couple months ago. Paid what I thought was reasonable price. I knew I didn't buy a showpiece, but now that i'm starting to have problems with it I'm getting discouraged. ![]() It started smoking real bad on 1st startup. It's leaking alot of oil on the passenger side. I was hoping a valve cover gasket was all that it was, but a new 1 didn't fix it. When I had the valve cover off there is a lot of sludge in there. I gotta look into it more, but looks like oil is coming out of head near the back passenger spark plug. It supposedly has a 1976 305 in it. Haven't been able to get the numbers off of it yet to be sure, but I would rather have a 307,327,350. I just want a good driver. I don't have a garage or even a backyard shed, so I don't know how I could build a new motor, and even than how reliable would that be? (i'm only somewhat mechanically inclined) Looks like a base crate engine is around $2000 by the time i get everything and put it in. My wife will kill me, and I wouldn't blame her. I just installed a ECE front disc brake conversion $$$$. ![]() If I bought a crate I would have way more invested in it than I could ever sell it for. Is that just a "facts of life thing"? What advice do ya'll have for me? I would like to just drive it but with it leaking as much as it is it will cost a lot just to keep oil in it, plus the embarrasing issue of it smoking everywhere I go while oil burns off the header. |
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#2 |
Newbee
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 1,406
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
Check the oil pressure connection next to the distributor.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bowling Green, Mo
Posts: 204
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
To bad you don't live closer, my uncle has 2 freshly rebuilt 350's. Around 1k a piece.
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1978 GMC K25 2002 Dodge Dakota R/T rc swb In need of some more goodies. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ozark, al
Posts: 583
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
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#5 |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
2nd that....also do check the covers for leaks. Dont worry about the fight with the wifey.....you will have that "right or wrong"! Just ask her..."do you really love me baby"
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69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Mayflower,AR
Posts: 802
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
CRAIGSLIST TIME. look for a running 350 for a couple hundred.
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-Mike- '94 GMT 400 ext z71 3" body, 3 in rough country, hd mirrors, 20" motometals on 35s |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 884
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 632
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
Is the oil leak on the right side at the rear of the engine? If it is and the oil pressure tap is not leaking then check the rear of the intake mainfold to see if the seal has slipped out or just doe not have enough sealer.
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Lifes journey is not to arrive at the gate well preserved, it is to slide in sideways all used up and wore out yelling.....God what'a ride! Where patience fails, force prevails Stapp's Ironical Paradox "The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 884
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: port robinson ontario canada
Posts: 398
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
What you seem to be describing might still be a valve cover leaking , as there isn't alot of places for oil to leak around the plug. Did you clean out the oil drain holes in the head while you were in there? How about straightening the covers while they were off? There are cheap supports for the covers to help them not bend , that could help. How about a better picture of the leaky area , might get some more ideas how to fix. Don't worry about no garage , we've all changed a motor in the front yard , off a tree , in the snow ... Right?. Don't get down , it might not be that bad . -Bob
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#11 |
///Relaxed Atmosphere
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Houston,Tx
Posts: 1,266
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
keep your head up, its like i tell my wife, i could have a worse hobby
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#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2012
Location: Anton, Texas
Posts: 2,364
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
dhughins: always remember one thing about wife's....it is always to easier to ask for forgiveness ...than permission....it always works for me.....good luck on you ride.....
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Mustang, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,806
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
Quote:
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Dan <---(my name) 67 SWB C10 project "GEORGIA"-59 Brookwood 2dr wag...Next project-03 Tahoe 4x4 5.3 family ride-07 Hondur Accord, commuter car |
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#14 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
Also check the flanges on the valve covers.They can be bent by over-torqueing.
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The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
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#15 |
Cruzin
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: on the road
Posts: 2,835
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
if it runs fine just leaks fix the leak as said there isn't many places where you describe to leak oil, the worn valve seals is more than likely what is causing the first startup smoke i believe they can be changed without removing the head. I for one love 305's they are tough reliable motors the best i've owned.
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Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Hazlehurst, Ga.
Posts: 822
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
i second that on craigslist. I bought a good running 350 with 350 trans for 500 cash about a year ago. Sold it about 2 weeks later for 1000.00. The guy is still driving that all over town here.
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#17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
Posts: 10,497
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
I am with saa, take it to a good mechanic. Chances are good that a head rebuild will fix your problems.
Also the valve cover bolts should not be installed super tight. Lots of people crank them down which lifts the corners and causes a leak.
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Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,523
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
In addition, once you get it fixed you will enjoy driving it...
Posted via Mobile Device
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Bagged | 6.0L LS | T-56 (6-Speed Manual) | Turbo Burnout/Rolling Video: Chevy C10 Stepside 6.0L LSx & 6-Speed Manual |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ozark, al
Posts: 583
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
I'll get done pics tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice. It wasn't leaking like this when I bought it and drove it home 200 miles.
I fell good about the valve cover being straight and I used felpro rubber gaskets. It has the spreaders on the between the bolts and valve covers. On a side note I know the quadrajet needs rebuilding. Just another expense. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ozark, al
Posts: 583
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
I like the craiglist idea if it comes down to that. I used seachtempest tonight just looking there are a few engines within 200 miles of me. Wish I could find a little closer.
Posted via Mobile Device Lex you scared me a little bit. Took me a minute to figure out how you knew where I lived. Last edited by dhughins; 06-15-2012 at 12:46 AM. |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sheffield, ALA
Posts: 2,471
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
He's in a good area to find some good rebuilt engings .He should have a few good shops around down there.
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#22 |
Classic Chevy Recycler
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Alabama
Posts: 422
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
If you're not to far from Birmingham I could take a look at it.
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ozark, al
Posts: 583
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 1,856
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
and to the question of will it ever be worth what you have in it.... NO! This is a hobby remember. And if you count the hours and blood youll have in it. forget about it. You will never get that back in dollars.
But you bought it because you like the smell of an old chevy and that spot in the driveway right ![]() ![]() |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 10-Uh-See
Posts: 5,609
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Re: gonna whine for awhile. Please say something encouraging.
SBC's don't leak oil.....they just mark their territory.
![]() Anyway, all kidding aside, there's been lots of good advice given here. My first thought was overtorqued valve cover bolts. Stamped steel valve covers are notorious for that if overtightened. I've also had better luck with cork gaskets then rubber ones. I've had one of those stock 350 crate engines and they're worth the price. They're very reliable, well built engines with a good warranty, and will offer years of care-free service. My advice is to keep your head up, and don't let these things get you down. This is all just part of owning a classic vehicle. They all have little bugs(sometimes big ones) that need to be addressed. Once you get everything straightened out, it will be a fun truck that you can enjoy. As for the wife, be honest with her. Don't try to sneak things past her. Somehow, they always find out anyway. As mentioned, though, sometimes it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. Talk with her about your plans, though and make sure she understands why, and you can both make a decision together. This is tough at times, but usually works out much better. With most women, though, it's not so much about the money, but more about the time spent with the truck over her. I suggest getting her involved with helping you with the truck. Even if it's only handing you tools. Just be patient when you ask for a ratchet and she hands you pliers. ![]()
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