Think i might have a problem with my heads. Help please!

[Jbarrkn493]

Im replacing most of the top end and when i pulled off the intake manifold i saw several chunks missing off the driver side head, passenger side looks to be fine.. Is this a major problem or am i overreacting?

[Jbarrkn493]

Heres a picture of the whole engine

[68gmsee]

Looks pretty rusted and pitted. Look for some better heads to rebuild. You can usually pick them up fairly cheap at a salvage yard. Or go to a machine rebuilding place. They usually have heads already rebuilt for sale.

[franken]

I wouldn't worry about the little corner right above the pushrod in the pic.

[Jbarrkn493]

Originally Posted by franken

I wouldn't worry about the little corner right above the pushrod in the pic.

That's the placement of all the damage on that head, only on the inside near the oil valley, not on any of the ports.. Is this a problem I can deal with at a later date or would this some how mess up my engine further?

[casper71]

looks to be the casting from the factory. That is nothing to be concerned about

[Captainfab]

That little bit of casting chipped away isn't going to cause any problem at all. It isn't where it is going to cause a sealing issue.

[Jbarrkn493]

Thanks for all the input, I'll sleep happy knowing I don't have to replace my heads (just yet)

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Jbarrkn493

Thanks for all the input, I'll sleep happy knowing I don't have to replace my heads (just yet)

In your first post, you mentioned you were replacing most of the top end. My assumption is that you were also going to rebuild or replace the heads. The chip itself is not the reason I recommended the head replacement but for the pitted look of the head surface. It may be that it's surface oil/grime but in my computer it looks like surface rust pits. A good machine shop will be able to let you know.

[DBD]

Originally Posted by captainfab

that little bit of casting chipped away isn't going to cause any problem at all. It isn't where it is going to cause a sealing issue.

+1

[truckdude239]

just use a little rtv around the coolant ports and a 1/4 " bead at the ends

[Jbarrkn493]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

In your first post, you mentioned you were replacing most of the top end. My assumption is that you were also going to rebuild or replace the heads. The chip itself is not the reason I recommended the head replacement but for the pitted look of the head surface. It may be that it's surface oil/grime but in my computer it looks like surface rust pits. A good machine shop will be able to let you know.

No, I want to replace them with some aluminum heads, I just don't have the money right now for that, I misspoke when I said I was replacing most of the top end

[GASoline71]

How many miles does this engine have on it? If you bolt on new or even reconditioned heads with new seals and a 3A valve job... you'll suck oil past the rings making it an oil burner, and probably foul plugs.

A top end rebuild will affect your bottom end. Unless the engine has less than say, 100K on it. And I've see where even that can still cause some problems with burning oil.

Gary

[Jbarrkn493]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

How many miles does this engine have on it? If you bolt on new or even reconditioned heads with new seals and a 3A valve job... you'll suck oil past the rings making it an oil burner, and probably foul plugs.

A top end rebuild will affect your bottom end. Unless the engine has less than say, 100K on it. And I've see where even that can still cause some problems with burning oil.

Gary

I have no idea the milage on the motor, it's 350 sbc from a '75 chevy, dunno what model car, the engine suffix and partial vin on the engine have been inconclusive. Im fairly sure the motor has well over 100k on it, if I'm replacing from the intake manifold up I won't have a problem with it burning oil, will I? And good advice I'll take into account when I do get around to replacing the heads

[Jbarrkn493]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

How many miles does this engine have on it? If you bolt on new or even reconditioned heads with new seals and a 3A valve job... you'll suck oil past the rings making it an oil burner, and probably foul plugs.

A top end rebuild will affect your bottom end. Unless the engine has less than say, 100K on it. And I've see where even that can still cause some problems with burning oil.

Gary

Heres a picture of the engine codes, maybe you could tell me what car this engine was in??.. Also it looks to me like the partial vin has been tampered with

[GASoline71]

1975... and with the amount of oil and crud on it... then it's probably got a lot of miles on it.

TYZ = 1975 350, conv.cab, L LS9, 165, 4, C-10 to 2500

Gary

[Jbarrkn493]

Thanks Gary!