Well, I started my intake manifold and rocker arm swap yesterday. I really wanted to install the lt1 cam, but unfortuantly time, money, in-experiance, and lack of experianced help is keeping me from doing so. Anyways, I take the intake manifold off and sludge is pretty much every where. All of my lifters are shot as well. Argh!! Those things are expensive!, but at least the annoying ticking should go away. Have any of you guys had any luck with gunk remover, or any additive to clean the engine? I've heard bad things about them especially for high milage cars. I should finish installing the rocker arms and lifters today, and hopefully get the new manifold bolted down. I'm going to have to fab something to get the throttle cable to work and need to find a T-fitting for the vacuum lines-as the holley manifold only had one vacuum source.

 

The best way that I found to remove sludge is to add about a cup full of diesel fuel to the oil and let it run for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on your oil preasure gauge and the second it starts to drop shut of the engine. Change your oil and let the motor run again. If the preasure drops of again change the oil. If not just run the motor as usual and change te oil again at around 500 miles. The diesel fuel will break down the sludge and collect it in the oil filter. The big thing to watch out for is clogging the filter!!! I have done this several times on motors that I am about to pull for rebuilds to help clean the internals out but there is no reason that it shouldnt work on a motor staying in the vehicle if you make sure that the motor is flushed out with fresh oil. Do not use gas for this!! It does not have the lubricating properties of diesel or kerosene!!! I have heard that ATF will do the same but I havent tried this. Help this helps you out.

 

Well, I got the new lifters installed, along with the roller tip rockers and intake manifold. TBI is on as well.....those fuel lines are a b%$#@ to work with, even when connecting them before installing the TBI to the manifold!!! Just a few more things to take care of and she'll be running again Sludge has been somewhat taken care of via shop vac though I'd hate to see what the bottom end looks like.