What to do with engine out (rebuild? clean?) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**KyleSeal** · 08-18-2015, 01:07 PM

Got my 350 out the other day. Runs okay, burns oil and leaks oil (we think around rear main seal) so I'm looking to use this time to do some work to it.

I cant afford a full on rebuild, but want to do this engine some good.

My questions: whats some light work I can do to this engine to help her run better? Why does my oil smell like gas? Are there any smaller rebuild kits that will help me keep her running good if not better?
I'm not a penny pincher, if its a sensible purchase with clear benefits, I'll go for it. But if I can just clean and reassemble and have it run better, that'd be great.

GASoline71 · 08-18-2015, 02:35 PM

Your oil smells like gas because your carb is leaking after shut down and it trickles past the rings. Stock 40 year old Q-jet? Fuel in the oil is bad... it will eat up your bearings.

If it's the stock 40 year old worn out engine... there isn't much you can do to it. It's burning oil and probably needs new valve guides and seals. But if you freshen up the top end, it will suck oil past the worn out rings and you will still have a mosquito fogger.

Just clean it up. replace the leaking rear seal, and do a full on tune up. Get your carb looked at or rebuilt. If it is in fact an old Q-jet, chances are the well plugs in the bottom are leaking and it will also need to have the throttle bores rebushed.

Gary

**KyleSeal** · 08-18-2015, 06:47 PM

It's actually a new(ish) Edelbrock carb. 4 barrel. Would you happen to have a kit in mind? Possibly a link I could take a look at.

GRX · 08-19-2015, 06:37 PM

Now is the best time to replace all the freeze plugs while you can get to them easily.

**bigmac73** · 08-20-2015, 07:31 AM

actually you can get a re ring kit with rings, bearings, gaskets for less than a hundred bucks, that is what I would do, tear it down, clean everything up and replace if done right I think it would last you until you are ready to upgrade

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...-000/overview/

dougf · 08-20-2015, 07:41 PM

You are about where I am at. Don't want to tear down my '75 350 but want to stop the leaks. I'm running a bunch of seafoam through it, pulling it, cleaning, freeze plugs, replace dented and leaky oil pan, seals, paint, and throwing it back in.

08-18-2015, 01:07 PM	#1
KyleSeal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Toano, VA Posts: 831	What to do with engine out (rebuild? clean?) Got my 350 out the other day. Runs okay, burns oil and leaks oil (we think around rear main seal) so I'm looking to use this time to do some work to it. I cant afford a full on rebuild, but want to do this engine some good. My questions: whats some light work I can do to this engine to help her run better? Why does my oil smell like gas? Are there any smaller rebuild kits that will help me keep her running good if not better? I'm not a penny pincher, if its a sensible purchase with clear benefits, I'll go for it. But if I can just clean and reassemble and have it run better, that'd be great. __________________ "Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service." My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809

08-18-2015, 06:47 PM	#3
KyleSeal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Toano, VA Posts: 831	Re: What to do with engine out (rebuild? clean?) It's actually a new(ish) Edelbrock carb. 4 barrel. Would you happen to have a kit in mind? Possibly a link I could take a look at. __________________ "Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service." My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809

08-19-2015, 06:37 PM	#4
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Re: What to do with engine out (rebuild? clean?) Now is the best time to replace all the freeze plugs while you can get to them easily.

08-20-2015, 07:31 AM	#5
bigmac73 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 1,275	Re: What to do with engine out (rebuild? clean?) actually you can get a re ring kit with rings, bearings, gaskets for less than a hundred bucks, that is what I would do, tear it down, clean everything up and replace if done right I think it would last you until you are ready to upgrade http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...-000/overview/ __________________ Mike 72 C-10 Cheyenne off frame resto and Upgraded to 4 wheel disk, Tilt, Dakota Digital Dash / Rear slider. 421 SBC / TH350 3000RPM Stall Progression Ignition /Holley 750 DP/3:73 gear Eaton Limited Slip unit / 2 1/2 exhaust glasspacks

08-20-2015, 07:41 PM	#6
dougf Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Fort Campbell, KY Posts: 494	Re: What to do with engine out (rebuild? clean?) You are about where I am at. Don't want to tear down my '75 350 but want to stop the leaks. I'm running a bunch of seafoam through it, pulling it, cleaning, freeze plugs, replace dented and leaky oil pan, seals, paint, and throwing it back in.

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