Do I fix it or rebuild engine?

davbell22602

Stihl Chainsaw Man
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Posts
5,169
Reaction score
3
Location
Bunker Hill, WV
Do I fix it or rebuild engine?

1990 c2500 chevy truck w/ 350TBI but has a 96 vortec block.

Lets start from the beginning. I got this truck knowing needing a timing set. I replaced timing set back in may 2009. After doing that this thing loud knocking noise on the top drivers side of the engine. When pulling the drivers side valve cover it got louder. This is at idle. Checked pushrods and none bent on the drivers side.

When getting this truck the previous owner told me that he let someone use who doesnt care for there vehicles. When he got it back it had no oil it and was qeaking and knocking really bad. Plus somehow the plug on the CTS melted and who knows how long that off the CTS. I did fix the wire and replaced the CTS and it took 3 times of running it from cold start to get a reading on the thermostat gauge. The reading was in around the middle after running for 5 minutes.

I recently acquired a engine stand the other day and the I bought from said I might have a crushed lifter. He said also to putting 4 quarts of oil with 1 quart of trany fluid in it to loosen it up. I tried marvel mystery oil but it claimed the noise some. The knocking noise goes away when hitting the gas pedal. I know the knock noise is bad in sound when the truck sits. When ran it 2-3 days in row back in june or july it wasnt so bad in sound since was running 2-3 days in a row. I do know that the oil stays black all the time or turns black after changing it. Also the oil has a little dark gray tint to it also at times but not all the time.

So do I fix the knock noise and replace that crushed lifter or better to rebuild it and start fresh from a rebuilt engine? meaning new pistons, cam, crank, lifters, piston rings, etc.

If I rebuild it I want it built like a 454 with lots of power and torque. I know it won't be exactly like a 454 but I want it in a 350 sb version of the 454 bb.

This hasn't seen the road yet since getting it back in may 2009.​
 

Bigredmariner

I'm too LAZY to Choose a Custom Title!!!
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Posts
35,883
Reaction score
35
Location
United State of Texas
Personally at this point I would just start assembling parts and either rebuild the one you have completely or find that 454 you are wanting.
 

drperry

Fox 1! Fox 2! Fox 3!
Lifetime Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Posts
13,104
Reaction score
110
Location
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
You can probably buy a solid junkyard 350 for half the price of a rebuild...

If your engine was run with no oil you're going to have to check every nook and cranny to find out what all is gone.
 

Draenor

KILL ALL HUMANS!!!!
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Posts
5,896
Reaction score
0
Location
Now in Scott,LA
Rebuild it. If the engine has not been taken care or or in this cans run out of oil, there is more damage to it than just a bad lifter. I bet the mains and rod bearings are scarred up.
 

Members online

No members online now.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
28,836
Posts
1,109,352
Members
4,800
Latest member
SpeakerMan
Back
Top