Chaos2084

On my 85 Z28 Camaro I just got from this kid traded for a truck. It ran fine had a blown head gasket and bad alternator normal probablems. The speedometer gauge doesn't work so the Odometer readings says 39,xxx which of course isn't the right mileage. Well today I got the title finally and it was still int he original owners name he signed the back and put the mileage on it 203,794 so I figure it probable has somewhere between 248,xxx and 300,00 on it since the people I got it from had it for awhile then parked it because of the head gasket being blow and never fixed it. I am on a limited budget but was wondering if there is anything I should change out right now. I got the whole engine broke down to the engine block. The pistons look good and the piston sleeves are awesome looking no gouging or pitting or scratches what so ever. Should I just buy a rebuild kit or just stay with replacing the Head gaskets, water pump, Alternator, and vavle cover gaskets? I don't know the history on this car so I don't know if it has been rebuilt with the last who knows how long. Would it be cheaper to just buy a rebuild kit then replace the Alternator. I am so confused on this.

Chaos2084

I am just going to pull the block out and buy a Re-ring kit for it and go that way.

Fullsizewagon

If it were me I'd just replace the bad gaskets if there's no ring ridge. Check the plugs for deposits, and if there is any then replace the valve stem "umbrellas" (or watever) to make sure it doesn't smoke. Cheap, quick & easy job, not much to go wrong.
It's a whole different job to pull the engine and tear into it, and if I were to do that I wouldn't settle for new rings only. You'll have to check everything for wear or just replace it, or you could just as well stroke it instead.

Chaos2084

Well there is a ring ridge I don't have any micrometers to check it out, but by guessing probably about .004 or so. The plugs had deposits on them they looked horrible. Also I have a chance to get a 350 for $500 not sure what it is out of it found it on craigslist.

This is the description of the motor: chevy 4bolt with newer center bolt heads, tbi intake & Aloy surpiten set up.
Heads are pulled & so is the pan you can look at it all $500.00 it allsp comes with all the stuff to put it together & run it. + I have a brand new gasket set to go with it for free & if u want I can put it all back togeter for $40.00

Also not sure if this would work either but I have a 351 Windsor sitting in a 83 Ford Bronco but it being a ford there would be lots of stuff to make it work right?

Would this be worth it and would it be a pretty straight forward and inexpensive swap.

Fullsizewagon

Ok, it's an oil burner then. You'll need new valve stem seals for sure.
Maybe the rings are worn too, but it's probably easier to just put on the (fixed) heads and see if there's excessive blowby as it is to strip it down. Maybe it's not too bad, but if you decide to put in new rings you'll have to give it a bore & hone job too.
I'd put the least amount of work into it until I'd driven it for a while to get an idea of what might need to be done. Who knows, you might still get years of life out of that engine the way it is just by fixing the valve stem seals, and later you might want to do something entirely else than just rebuilding it.
The 350 might be an option but it also most certainly needs a rebuild. A motor is rarely taken apart unless there's something wrong with it.
I'm not familiar enough with the differences between GM & Ford engines to give any real advice, but I wouldn't place my bets on the 351.

86LG4Bird

iTrader: (1)

You're getting good advice here.
Replace the gaskets and valve seals, put it back together, and drive it.

Chaos2084

Thank you for all the advice. I just want to get it running, it ran alright before so there couldn't be anything too wrong with it. I just went down and bought a gasket Head Set should be here tomorrow. Took the heads down to a local machine shop had the guy pressure test the heads to make sure there weren't any cracks and they where good. Now I am back to what I originally thought was wrong when I saw the gaskets they where still good. Ended up both heads where warped really bad so he took them to a surface grinder and flattened them out and cleaned up the heads really nice so that cost $125 not sure if this is expensive or not, but this is the only place in town that will work on engine parts.

Now for the fun part putting it all back together. The kit that I got has new Valve stem seals in them how do I go about replacing those?

Oh also still not sure what caused the overheating problem maybe a faulty thermostat or something else. But I am replacing the thermostat and water pump. Hopefully everything will be good once I get it all back together.

86LG4Bird

iTrader: (1)

For the valve seals, use the Felpro SS72527 (positive style with the metal band) or equivalent on both the intake and exhaust valves. Do NOT waste your time with the umbrella type "seals" that most kits will give you for the exhaust valves. Those are the OE style that only APPEAR to work OK on new valve guides that are still nice and tight.

Fullsizewagon

Not expensive, by Norwegian standards at least..
The tool you need is called a valve spring compressor. Some brands apparently work better than others. I'm sure you'll find procedures/ descriptions with pictures if you search.
Make sure you flush the block every possible way to get as much crud out of the water jackets as you can before you fire it up.
Good job so far and good luck with the rest.

Chaos2084

Got the engine block all flushed out and got new antifreeze in there. All the crap is off of the block and cleaned ready to be put back together. Rented a valve spring compressor from schucks didn't work with a **** so I am taking that back tomorrow and hopefully find someone that has a decent one that I can use. Got all the parts needed new alternator and crap like that. The guy only ordered me one set of head bolts so I had to go back down to schucks and order another set for the other side.

So Saturday it will hopefully be all put back together and possibly Sunday or Monday be running again.