sitting engine.

[go-twichy]

hello, i inherited a sbc 350 engine that was my brothers, that he has had rebuilt, but then sat under a carport for about 2 yrs. i've had it about 5 yrs. in my garage. what would be the best thing to do first before attempting to start it after sitting so long.i'm getting very close to doing this, so all suggestions will be appreciated. also, i have a edelbrock manifold #c355 3x2(50's) i would like to use, would you know if it can be used with a 1987 non-roller 350? all the intake holes in the head are at the same angle.thanks alot, kurt.

[squirrel]

it probably got some condensation in it, unless it was sealed up very well. I'd be tempted to take it apart to see if the bores are ok, see if it has dirt in it, etc.

At least look in the ports, and into the spark plug holes with a flashlight, etc.

[agutto13]

ive been told coca cola and marvel mystery oil in spark plug cylinders and crank motor over (without sparkplugs) and let the oil and cola squirt out, and do that after you pull the pan and look at what you have going on inside

[Saxman]

The C355 intake manifold won't work with the 350. It's made for 1955-57 265 and has really small ports. It will bolt up but will never seal right. I had to trade mine for a C357 to work with my 350. If it's in good shape it's worth a bit. I sold mine for enough to buy a new C357.

[go-twichy]

Originally Posted by Saxman

The C355 intake manifold won't work with the 350. It's made for 1955-57 265 and has really small ports. It will bolt up but will never seal right. I had to trade mine for a C357 to work with my 350. If it's in good shape it's worth a bit. I sold mine for enough to buy a new C357.

this is a drag.

[go-twichy]

i did some more research and found out that it's not an 87'. the block number is #14016379. 78-85 or 77-78 depending on the website you want to belive.

[landseaandair]

As squirrel said, a tear down would be best. At least a partial one to relube the cam and lifters (assuming it was never broken in) along with a squirt of oil in each cylinder and on all of the valve stems, as well as with anything else that moves. Then prelube with a drill before firing.

[squirrel]

If you want to figure out what year it is, look for the casting date on the back near the number you already posted. letter follwed by two to four numbers, like D 14 8 the last number is the last digit of the year, so in my example that would be April 14, 1978 for a block that was produced from 77-85

also see if there are numbers stamped on the front of the block, on the deck surface right in front of the pass side cylinder head. Post the numbers we can help you figure it out.

[go-twichy]

Originally Posted by squirrel

it probably got some condensation in it, unless it was sealed up very well. I'd be tempted to take it apart to see if the bores are ok, see if it has dirt in it, etc.

At least look in the ports, and into the spark plug holes with a flashlight, etc.

i already had looked in the ports and seen orange/brown color, and thats what made me post this. you were right though squirrel, i pulled the heads last night and it does have signs of condensation in three cylinders and some rust build up on the head chambers,valve stems. but everything else looks like it was done yesterday. super clean. i cleaned out everything out that i could and sprayed some lube around and cleaned again, then i rocked the crank back and forth with no problem. i just moved it up and down about 1/4'' as i did not want to drag anything past the rusted spots in the three cylinders. so thats where i'm at! any suggustions to keep this train wreck moving forward? could the bottom end have the same trouble? oh, the pistons have been marked 030. over.they look new though.

[3banjos]

Originally Posted by Saxman

The C355 intake manifold won't work with the 350. It's made for 1955-57 265 and has really small ports. It will bolt up but will never seal right. I had to trade mine for a C357 to work with my 350. If it's in good shape it's worth a bit. I sold mine for enough to buy a new C357.

C355 works splendidly on my early 350. 010 block.

[squirrel]

If it has rusted spots in the cylinders it would be best to pull it apart and hone the block again. hopefully it's not pitted very deep.

[choprods]

check oil then=If after a [quick spray of wd 40] in each hole=,it turns over a complete reveloution=with a socket and breakover bar, try this......
fill the carb[thru the vent tube on top] with gas from a squirt bottle,wire up the dist and coil and with engine setting oil pan in an old tire[on wheel] fire it out of the car and run it for 30-60 seconds...that will show you wether it needs torn down quickly...Never tear down a motor for no reason except to look inside, that is just silly....
wont hurt anything if ran a short burst like this even with no coolant....

[BuiltFerComfort]

Agree with no tear down until proven bad, but re- lube for sure.

[Saxman]

Originally Posted by 3banjos

C355 works splendidly on my early 350. 010 block.

Well, it wouldn't cost anything for the OP to try it. Definitely wouldn't work on mine though.

[dirty old man]

Don't care what block it is when it comes to intake manifold fitting or not,, alla same on deck height.
What matters is the heads.
Dave

[go-twichy]

well i geuss i'm done doing yard work for the day and can get back to more important things. my car. i posted some pics. to show where it's at. not pretty, but most of what looks bad can be knocked off with your finger nail. i took a piece of 400 grit paper and the spot i worked go perfectly smooth but shows the discoloration. i don't know what going on inside with the rings, but it did have to come apart. a friend said pull the pistons and re-hone, but it's not his money! if i need to, i will. last pic. shows the project. getting close! or so i thought. again, i will look forward to your opinions on my mess.

[go-twichy]

may here's the pics?

[go-twichy]

and the last? i don't know what i'm doing.

[3banjos]

Very cool. Looks like the donk will clean up alright, without costing a load.

[upspirate]

Alot cheaper and easier to tear down and do right at this point ,than have something go bad wrong later.

Go with your gut,not your wallet!!