Pulling older engine, what repairs to do?

Danny D · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 10:21 PM

I have a 272 in a 1957 truck with at least 50,000 miles on it. I want to pull it out and put it into another truck. This engine has not been run for ten years. It did manage to start and run with only a new battery and a little fresh gas mixed in with the 10 yr old gas in the tank. I cleaned the carb and put in a new kit, replaced the spark plugs and use new gas. It runs a lot better. the old plugs looked like all were firing. No smoke to speak of out the tail pipe. It does smoke out the oil fill cap and the vent tube pointing down on the left side. Stuck rings? blow by? valve seals? I am planning on cleaning it up outside, replacing some gaskets, removing the oil pan and valve covers and do some cleaning on the inside.What else should I do when I have it pulled out? I dont want to put a lot of $ into it. One guy said rework the valves to take modern gas. This engine is going in a work truck, not for show. What would you suggest? Thanks, Danny

Colt 45 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 10:37 PM

Dan, changing the valves sounds like the thing to do. ( unleaded gas ) Other then that cleaning the motor should do it... colt 45

flipklos · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 01:01 AM

I would run her good and hot with some seafoam in the oil for a few hours. That may help clean up any gummed up oil passages. Then use a reputable 10-30 or so oil. I use rotella. As it has ZDDP which is neccisary for a mechanical flat tappet engine.

(If anyone wants to argue ZDDP, botique oils, synthetics, or any other thing, please start a seperate thread and let us argue that there. I think we can simply advise the guy on getting the engine running in good order.)

Also, I will second the heads getting done for unleaded. A three angle and some hard seats will put alot of life in an old engine. Check the rockers for excessive wear and play while your at it.

Good luck.

Colt 45 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 04:02 PM

Flipklos, I agree. I'm not really to sharp at this stuff so I'm learning... colt 45

MBDiagMan · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2010, 10:29 AM

If it were me, since the engine is now running, I would put it in with oil like Chevron Delo or Shell Rotella as flip said. Run that sucker and do a few short oil and filter changes, like a couple in about 500 miles, THEN evaluate the engine. If it were running good before, I think that it will run now. After the first of these quick oil changes I would set the valve lash.

HT32BSX115 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 08:31 PM

Howdy,

Just clean up the outside, change the oil and run it as is.

If you think you need a valve job then do it. If it runs fine, just use it. I ran my 57 292 for many years on "unleaded" with no problems. Run it until it needs a valve job, THEN do it.

Put any 15W40 oil in it and change it at a regular time. (I.E. 5000 miles, 6mo etc) Use the truck.

Cheers,

Rick