The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop oil pan sludge

When I bought my 5700 it was running but very poorly. I pulled the engine and trans 'cause I had to do a new clutch and discovered before pulling the engine that it had a wiped out cam and lifter on at least one valve. I removed all of the tin from the engine to find extreme sludge, after lots of cleaning I pulled a couple of main caps and rod caps and was very surprised to see how nice the journals were. Took the oil pump apart to clean and inspect, cleaned the pick-up screen. I had a cam and lifters, chain and gears from a 355 project from years ago that had about 2000 miles on it so with new gaskets and seals and all new clutch parts it went back in the truck. I don't think the new cam would have survived if I didn't de-sludge it even though the cam had already been broken in on the 355. Just my 2 cents.