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| | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 126 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 126 | My '42 has a 216 that was rebuilt not long before it was set aside due to brake issues 30 years ago. The PO almost sold the head and removed it before deciding not to part the truck out...it sat that way for 30 years exposed to some moisture. When I received the truck the piston were froze yet I was able to free it up soaking the cylinders with PB blaster etc.. Question is, this will be a farm truck not a complete restoration. I want to determine if the engine will run and was thinking of installing the head with the old gasket(which is cracked in places) and filling with fresh oil and running just long enough to check running condition. Is this a bad idea? Any input would be appreciated.
Chris Simmonds
1942 Chevy 3/4 ton
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | Wiser guys will be along, but my own advice is to spring for a new gasket, you can't lose anything. But you should be able to see pretty easily how the valves and seats look. Make sure to use fresh gas.
I lived a year on the Little Fall Creek Road! about 20 years ago...
Karl
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 | The cracked gasket is a bad idea... Even a short run may lead to warping the head if all the coolant lines aren't sealed.
Remember to pull the distributer and spin the oil pump (old screwdriver blade in a drill) before starting it up. Get some oil back in the galleries first.
Current fleet (subject to change w/o notice) \'49 GMC 3/4-Ton , 60 Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite (some assembly required), 2011 Dodge Avenger, 2015 Jeep Cherokee. No, they don't all run. My other ride is a (B737)no, (B767)no, A320.... Update... was Embraer E190, now Boeing B787. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but ignorance means you don't know you can't do something.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 126 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 126 | Thanks guys for the response. Only issue is I was going to hear it run real quick then take the engine apart again...using a new head gasket would be a waste doing this as I would have to buy yet another one. I guess the smart thing to do would be pull the engine, put it on a stand where I can clean the cylinders real good, check the condition of the underside crank, bearing and dippers etc., then install a new gasket set and go from there. Guess I was just trying to get ahead of myself like always.
Karl, WOW! Fall Creek to Sweden! Quite the move there. I live on little Fall Creek now and have for the last 24 years.
Chris Simmonds
1942 Chevy 3/4 ton
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