I bought a 1952 1/2 ton GMC earlier last spring that has a 228 in it. When I went to change the oil the first time I noticed a fair amount of water mixed with the oil. I suspected that I might have a problem, but the truck had sat outside for some time and I thought that rain water had possibly leaked into the engine through the cowl drain tube that is directly over the vent in the valve cover or condensation had accumulated in the block.
Well a couple a weeks ago, I started the rebuild of the truck and again found about a quart of coolant in the oil as I drained the pan. The truck had only been started a few times since I got it and not driven at all. It ran strong with no smoke or water vapor coming out the exhaust and no leaks of any kind. I am almost ready to pull the engine and have taken the head off, hoping I would find a blown head gasket. I did find some oil accumulated around the head gasket where the head bolts pass through the head but nothing that looked too alarming. There is also a braze repair that has been done to the rear stamped steel rocker arm support. The head has obviously been off and replaced. Looking at the cast numbers on it, it is a 228 head from 1950. I am not real familiar with GMC engines and am wondering if there are some vulnerable areas to be looking for? Once I have the engine out, I am planning on taking it to a rebuilder if I can find one in the Atlanta area that is good with these old GMC engines. It needs to vatted to clean it up and probably have it magnifluxed and all the bearings checked. Any suggested areas to look at or engine rebuilders?