The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 350 help

Gang,

I am just getting started on my next project. Buddy, my stock '46, is running well so it's time to start on the hotrod.

As a bi of an introduction: I bought the project six years ago from the widow of the guy who started it. He was an airplane mechanic so the truck is done nicely. The first problem that I have is that the 350 has radiator water in the oil. The oil was in layers when I drained it with the top layer being an grayish emulsion of oil and water. The engine and drivetrain are installed on the chassis, but the radiator support is not. I am thinking that he ran it for a less than 15 minutes just to check things out before installing the front sheet metal.

My questions: Is there some sort of ram-down test to check to see if it is a head gasket? I was thinking to pressurize the cooling system and listen for leaks. But how do I do this" What pressure? Where do I listen? How do I listen? Do I forget about any tests and just remove the heads? Does anyone have other ideas on how to find the problem?

Thanks in advance.

Michael Lubitz
(512) 306-1681
'46 3/4 ton stock named, "Buddy"
'49 three window hotrod

Not sure from your description if the engine was run with the radiator in place since the core support is not installed. How was the truck stored after the owner passed on? If it was outside for very long the water may have come from weather or condensation over time.
I would drain the oil, install the radiator and hoses, fill with water and do a pressure check on the cooling system. If the pressure falls, check the oil pan for water. If any is present then I would suggest a rebuild or swap out.

michaellubitz,

Here is my untrained opinion. The leak is obviously in the block or in the heads. If you test somehow (?) and find it in the block, what would you do..pull the block and leave the heads? Chevy 350's have tough blocks and leaks here are very rare!. The head gasket would be the prime suspect...a compression check will usually find the bad cylinder/cylinders. It would also be possible for the intake manifold to leak into the engine through the valley.

As you pull the plugs for the compression test, look at them closely, you might find a rusty one indicating water in that cylinder. You run a pressure test on the system through the radiator. You have to have the proper equipment to do this test, or a radiator shop can do it for you.

It appears the system already leaks as there is oil in the pan..the leakdown test won't tell you "where" it is leaking, only that it won't hold pressure. This project hasn't been sitting outside uncovered for six years has it? The emulsified oil/water would indicate it was "mixed" while the engine was running, but mother nature could have had a hand in it too! Does it rain in Texas...ask RITA


Stuart.

Well, just my opinion...If you have a little time for labor, I would pull the pan, the intake, the heads, clean everything up, shoot some good old Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders, buy a complete gasket set and some sealer..Turn it over by hand to get everything lubed up, new plugs, fresh water and oil and a charged battery..I figure, if you still have a problem, you are only out the price of a gasket set and a few hours labor..But, at least you know you are starting from square one instead of pulling your hair out and fixing one problem at a time..Engines that sit for 6yrs, will fill up with moisture..Good luck, Steve