Well guys i think my recently built 350 is on its way out.Right before I parked my car for winter I did a nice parting burnout and afterwards I did notice the car wasnt too happy about it and kinda ran a lil rough as I parked onto my drive way.

A few days ago I started her up and let it sit and warm up and as I was checking fluid levels etc and putting in fresh gas i thought the car was just idling a lil weird due to the cold..but my valve cover breather is kinda spitting up oil and white smoke.I check the oil dipstick and guess what.. coolant is on the stick but not alot yet.

I dont see any coolant leaking from anything and or on the ground and my coolant level keeps going down.When iI looked on the inside of the oil filler cap it has kinda thin white green oily sludge on it and the car is now hunting during idle,sounds like something is rattling till its warm.Anyone else have these issues with there motors and what should I expect to be the culprit or am i due to just get a new motor?If I gotta tear this thing down again and get it rebuilt I might aswell build it to a 383 for some more power.

I got a couple video clips from my cell phone just so you can see and hear what the car is doing. Any help would be great.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?doc...63458&hl=en-CA
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?doc...42816&hl=en-CA
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?doc...26709&hl=en-CA

 

From what you describe..

Best case is a a bad intake gasket, 2nd..blown head gasket...third...well, time to get busy yanking it out

 

I vote for #2, as you have a lot of blowby.....intake won't do that, and besides, you will pull it off on your way to the head removal anyway....

I would run a cylinder leakdown test to see how many cylinders might be involved.
Pulling the plug will give you a general idea, but won't tell you if the leak is small........and you could have multiple leaks....

 

I wouldn't start that engine without changing the oil first either. Coolant in the oil will eat your main and rod bearings really quick. Once that happens you have to wonder if the crank will stay within limits for a regrind.

 

I vote for #2 head gasket.

 

I think so aswell, I cant remember if this matters or not but im using Corvette aluminum L98 heads on a pre 79 block what head and intake gaskets should I get.Also do you guys know off the top of your head what the torque specs would be once i put the heads and intake back on.I really dont want to have to redo any of this after I change the gaskets because of something I missed.Oh I just changed the oil so that I can start the car and move it in and out of my garage now and then till i can fully tear her down.Thanks for all the advice guys.This site never fails me

 

I assume that you also drained out the rest of your coolant when you did your oil change? (and filter?) If not then what could happen is the coolant will get in there just like it was before. If you are just moving it in and out of the garage then take the coolant out of there and never let it get too hot. It will overheat very fast with no coolant in there. Goodluck

 

Well guys here is my update about my motor findings.

Took the car into work and drained the oil....not only was there less than a drop of coolant in the whole pan..It did smell rich of gas from trying to start the car before.

Next I pulled the plugs and they all seemed coated on dry black dust so I cleaned them up..stuck them and prayed as i begun to crank the car over after a fresh oil change and filter.Not only did she come to life again and I was happy..my happiness faded as i quickly noticed load ticking/clacking noise coming from the pass. side head.Almost like something is lose and throwing off my timing.

The car would run rough and hunt idling..I have to roll slowly into the throttle to bring the rpms up if not it would back fire and if done hard blip..would stall.Doesnt make any power like it used to.

So far it looks like I still have to tear down the top half of the motor and change the intake gasket,head gasktes.. and now rebuild my aluminum heads.While Im at it are these heads good for opening up and if so what do you Tpi gurus recommend for porting and valve size etc?

 

Sounds like something is broke. Stop driving and start removing parts (pass side head) till cause of noise is found. Broken spring, rocker, keeper, push rod, lifter, ring, piston. ect......Loose timing chain hitting the cover.

 

my vote is a jumped timing chain, hitting the cover and retarded cam timing will cause a hunting/surging at idle. course this all could be a clogged cat as you have to "sneak up" on the revs.

 

I think you over-rev'd it and bent a valve (valve head to piston contact), and maybe also "shortened" a pushrod!
The popback would be from the non-closure of the valve, and if I were you, I would chack that piston carefully, as they generally don't appreciate having a valve head stuffed into them!