Hey guys, I'm looking for some opinions on an engine overhaul. My 83 Crossfire 305 has 90,000 miles on it and runs like a top. It does leak some oil at the front seal behind the harmonic balancer and burns oil at startup since the valve seals are worn.

What I'm wondering is if the engine's totally fine, could I get away with pulling the thing apart and replacing all the seals and gaskets, ring etc. Without doing any machine work? Nothing's been seized or starved of oil in the engine, so I don't think replacing any bearings would be necessary.

Do you guys think this is a good idea? I've only rebuilt two engines and those were full rebuilds. I'd love the save the unneeded trouble.

 

I did a rebuild like that back in the early 90's. I think it was around $500 for bearings, gaskets, seals and rings. Nothing special. Just stock replacement parts, not performance parts. Cost of OEM type parts are probably a lot more now.

Engine ran great after the refresh.

 

No, if it ain't broke don't fix it. If it doesn't need new rings, then new rings won't improve anything. If it runs like a top, then tearing it down is just inviting problems. Fix the timing cover leak and the valve seals and drive it another 100k
or more. What's that? Another ten years of driving? Just my humble opinion. Or maybe I'm just lazy.


Edit: On second thought, if you're going in that far, you may as well replace the timing gears and chain. And water pump.

 

I think maybe you're right, I should just go and do the seals and the chain/water pump. I'd really love to make it like new, I'm getting all new paint and interior, the only other thing that would make this a full restoration is an engine overhaul