http://64.5.56.74/gallery/albums/userpics/10005/normal_chevelle%20032.jpg

That, in larger and smaller pieces, is caked, and just loose, EVERYWHERE inside my engine, expecially around the pushrods and such. What is it, and my engine is done for isnt it?

Oh yes, there is also what appears to be tan mud caked into all my water passage ways, that isnt good either, is it?

I do believe that to be sludge.

Your engine may have been run very hot, and it could be cooked oil, the engine may also have be neglected of maintenance for an extended period of time.

Might be a good time for a total rebuild.

But you might also think about a remanufactured short block, and some vortec cylinder heads.

Yours would still be a good core, and a friend of mine in the garage bussiness, says you can't get an engine rebuilt for the price you can get a reman for.

I wouldn't say your engine is done for, but if you want to save your money it might be an option.

It appears to be sludge from oil and water mixing. Was the engine running well when it was last run?

No, this engine had all kind of issues. Im just gonna have to find the money to rebuild it. Thanks.

Originally posted by Moloko:
this engine had all kind of issuesThat statement along with the picture above speaks volumes. Rebuild time.

Did you find out if it was a 4 bolt block or not?

No, didnt turn it upside down.

Many long years ago when I started out as a mechanics assistant working with my dad a '58 Oldsmobile came in with an interesting sludge problem.

The main complaint of the car's owner was that there was no power. The engine started up and ran smooth and quiet. As we dug into the engine after finding very little valve train activity we found that about 1/2 the pushrods were broken, the pieces all held up by the most sludge my pops had ever seen inside an engine. Ends up the car had started smoking and burning a lot of oil, so the owner started using straight Bardahl instead of oil!

Given your comments I would say your engine is toast.

Thomas

Well this week I'm going to order what I need to fix the problem smile.gif

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4228&prmenbr=361

Put that sludge in a jar and put it on e-bay as survivor '68 oil!! It's from years of not changing oil. It doesn't look like there is any water mixed in as it would be gray or white and wouldn't be as thick... Not what you want to find but not the end of the world as far as the engine goes... Well, unless this was last years rebuild....

Looks like the previous owners used Quakerstate!
graemlins/clonk.gif -Kid

Originally posted by TonawandaKid:
Looks like the previous owners used Quakerstate!
graemlins/clonk.gif -Kid Funny, I've heard sludge like this attributed to Pennzoil, and the parafin they used to use in it. The brand probably makes no difference.

Originally posted by ZZ69chevelle:
Did you find out if it was a 4 bolt block or not? You don't have to turn it upside down to see if it is a 4 bolt block.
Look above the Oil Filter area for an enlarged threaded hole.That is for an external oil cooler,and would indicate a 4 bolt block.

The H.O. 350 is an excellent choice, you get a lot for your money.

Thomas

Yeah, its a 4 bolt block then. I put it up for sale in the local paper this week to try to get some money back. Funny thing is I counted the change in my coil jar last night; $274!!! That'll buy some engine goodies.