The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop over heated gmc 6

I was going to swap in a 292 but I'm rethinking rebuilding the stock engine. the truck is a '50 farm truck with a dump bed. The engine is either a 228 or 248 I think. The engine was run out of water. What is generally damaged when this happens? I'm trying to decide whether to pick up a more modern, working engine for a couple of hundred $ and then deal with swapping it in or to overhaul what I've got if it's salvageable.

Hi Bobadame the severity of the damage is all dependant on what actually happened, did it blow an upper hose and the steam alerted the driver and he pulled over and shut it off right away, if so little or no problem. I suggest you try filling it with water and see if it holds it where it belongs [not in the oil pan] if it passes this test remove the spark plugs and turn
the engine over with the starter [if it will turn]
check to see if any water sprays out of the spark plug holes, you will probably need an assistant to run the starter for you. If no water anywhere it shouldn't be then do a compression test. If that's consistant across the board, due a tune up and fire it up and see what you have, Good luck

The first 3 numbers on the boss behind the distributor will tell you if it's a 228 or 248.

I say keep it GMC.

Thanks guys. That's good advice.
Bob

Hey, sorry to hijack this thread, but what kind of overflow reservoir should these trucks have and where should it be located? I just realized last night that my radiator was low, and I believe it was from expansion of the coolant, which just drains from a tube onto the ground.

They don't normally have an overflow, it just squirts out onto the ground. The radiator top tank is oversized to allow for an air cushion on top. Just let the water find its own level, as long as it is covering the top of the radiator tubes by about an inch it is ok.