The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Low oil pressure, PO said rebuilt...yeah right

I had been driving my 55.2 3600 couple times per week until I noticed an odd noise from the engine. Oil pressure when I first got the gauge hooked up was ok but now is terrible when warm. Prev owner said it was all rebuilt, even showed me reciepts. What I found while reworking everything else on the truck however prepaired me for this. It has brand new .030 over pistons however honing a mere 30 out of the holes still leaves about another .045 rust cavern where it must have sat with water in the holes for about 30 years. The head is nicely rebuilt but the cam had never come out and the crank bearings are worn thru and show 1977 date codes.
So, much for a low budget fix. Remember I'm a VW restoration shop with a love of old chevys too so I have to ask, can these blocks be sleeved or am I looking for another one?

Just had a 283 sleeved for the very same reason. In a 57 two door hard top. .030 over pistons.

Rebuilt alright, but number 8 cylinder had pitting in it and one of the pits went all the way through the cylinder wall into the water jacket.

A good automotive machine shop can sleeve that engine and then bore it to match the new pistons.

You local shop may charge different.. but I paid about $130 to get my 58 235 bored from STD to .020. On the high side I would GUESS that you'd have to pay for a bore, the liners/install, and a final bore... $350-400-ish?

I just finished my 235 rebuild and am at just over $1500. $600 machine shop, $800 master rebuild kit, $100 odds and ends (fuel pump rebuild kit, carb rebuild kit, new valve cover). Putting a motor together is not hard work... the biggest stumbling bock are the valve guides and harmonic balancer. Everything else is really just measure and assemble.

If you are referring to a 235 pistons are available for a .080" overbore so if it will clean up at that size the block is usable and will have nearly 250 cid. Sleeving is only cost effective when the block casting number is significant which really doesn't apply here....If it's a boat anchor find a donor instead. If it will clean up stick a 261 cam, fresh bearings and dual exhaust on it to exploit the additional displacement.