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.

Re: What to do with engine out (rebuild? clean?)
 

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

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.

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.

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/

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.