This post is a companion post to my latest project journal entry. You can read up on what got me to this point there. Bottomline up front: I've just taken the cylinder head off of my 1961 Chevy 235 engine. It was a car engine, so it has hydraulic lifters and no modifications. It was spewing smoke the last time I tried to drive my truck (1953 Chevy 3100) and here I am with the head off. Here is the text from the project journal entry:
"Hey Everybody,
It's apart! Multiple pics attached. Biggest bit of info that I could see is everything on the passenger side is wet with coolant. Also, dead center of the driver side is an obvious coolant blowout. There, it actually ran down the outside of the block. Based on the wetness and condition of the valves, I'm wondering if #5 and #6 were really firing or not. I forgot to snap some pics of the valves, and will do thst later.
I wasn't able to get the lifters out of their holes. It's like suction held them in place.
Pretty decent ridge ring at the top of each cylinder. I couldn't find any markings on a piston to indicate an oversized one. I think this might be an honest, original and very tired engine.
Ok, folks. NOW is the time to speak up! Thoughts? Next steps?!?"
I have lots of questions and am hoping for some input from everyone out there. Please!
It looks like you have a "rebuildable core" engine there- - - - -strip it down to a bare block, get the cylinders bored just enough to straighten out the taper wear, regrind the crankshaft if necessary, and install a new camshaft and solid lifters. (Melling CCS-1). The only hydraulic lifters that are available these days are made overseas, and the failure rate right out of the box is ridiculous. It's possible to use different (less expensive) lifters for AMC/MOPAR engines by sleeving down the stovebolt lifter bores a few thousandths. Drop me a PM if you like- - - - -I'm working on developing some major modifications that use newer, less expensive and more available rebuilding parts for non-stovebolt engines. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
