Hi,
I have a '72 olds cutlass project that was given to me recently...as part of the restoration I pulled the 350 rocket engine and began to dismantle to get an idea of the engines condition. I'm more familiar with motorcycle engine rebuilds and was astonished to see what appears to be an excessive buildup of sludge under the full manifold gasket (looks like someone took a dump). Hopefully some engine experts on this site might give me advice as to what I should do with this engine, I haven't checked any of the tolerances yet and I'm still in the process of teardown.

 

Go for it. It looks like a 38 year old engine that did not get the oil changed at the proper intervals. Nothing new to a lot of the guys here.
Take it apart and get it to a machine shop for a good cleaning and to have it checked for cracks and the condition of the cylinder bores.
Check the crank, rods and main caps. Then you can start ordering your parts accordingly.

 

X2 on that. I have seen much worse condition engines before. Someone didn't know they had to add/change oil regularly that's all. Welcome to CO.

 

Welcome aboard

Hey, did you steal my 350 engine. I've got one sitting on a stand that looks just like it. I was going to put it in my Vista to improve gas milage but insted just painted the 455. and said. "What the heck"

 

When you got the project did it run? If so then why rebuild the engine? You can just flush the engine and continue to drive it. If you are set on rebuilding it then as long as it turns over with a wrench or the starter then it would be an easy rebuild.

 

And what a project that was!!! You better check your stand, Jamesbo... the bear could have taken the 350 to put on the "Rocket Recliner"!!!

 

Welcome.

That engine isn't too bad, I've seen way worse too...mine.
Checked under the valve covers yet?
Mine weighed about ten pounds each when I took them off from the petrified sludge mass.


The worst gunked up engines I've ever seen seen were caused from the engine not being heated up enough before shutting down on a regular basis. They can be low mileage but the oil hasn't been changed in years because "Not enough miles and it isn't time yet".

The low mileage little old lady cars that they only drove two blocks to church on Sunday and a mile to the grocery store once a week have some of the worst sludged-up engines.

 

Seen lots of engines like that over the years, no big deal to rebuild.

 

If he can make it work he's a better man than I

He's waiting for the Snap on guy I think.

 

Welcome to the site. If you are going to rebuild it these guys can help you out. The sludge is not a big problem to clean up , do you know how many miles it had on it?

 

 

 

Must be that Jamsbo is getting old he can't here Cutlassgal she has to repeat herself hehehehehehe

 

Is that the pot I hear talking to the kettle?

 

Ooohh Wolfman - you're getting bold! LOL!! For some reason earlier, my text just went away!! I dunno why! So I went back and made my little smilies again!!

Ozbie, don't be scared... we just forgot to take our meds today. We're not always like this.... we get worse!!!

 

uh huh............

 

You can still see the pushrods, I'd say you're good to go.
I pulled apart a motor once that had the heat crossover port leaking into the valley for 20 years. The whole valley was one big valley shaped tootsie roll.

 

Thanks for all the replies, I haven't seen the motor run many parts where missing when I got the car...the odometer read 25,000 (I suspect 125K though). It's going to need a little cleanup as it's from the rust belt of Canada (Eastern Ontario) ...the bodies in reasonable shape excluding the trunk, lower doors, lower fenders and surface rust in the cab area. I've included a few progress shots ... my 15yr old son is doing much of the cutting and welding and I'm hoping he doesn't loose interest.

 

Cool pics. Looks like you are off to a good start.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

It's great that you have you son involved. Bet he's thinking hmmmmmmmm if I help dad bet he'll let me drive it when I get my license

 

Thats looking good! If you guys can keep that up, you're on to a nice ride.

I too have seen lots worse carbon and deposits in an engine.