so I took my intake off the engine in the 84... pics and video

[Montehall]

first off, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped out.

I pulled the intake.
here's what I found:


about half my lifters are collapsed. The one on top is good, bottom is bad.
That's easy enough to replace, sure. some new lifters and some pushrods. the bottoms of all my lifters are still good, they are not concave or marked up (a few swirl marks, but I've been told that is normal.

here comes the fun part.

I noticed some shiney metal in the valley, but not too much, I reached in with a magnet to get them and this is what my magnet come out with:

and


and here is a nifty video:

so this is it - YouTube

You can see that the rag comes out grey, instead of black or oily brown... (I'd like imagine this could be put to circus/magician music)
the metal so fine, that it's actually a "slurry" like powdered sugar, you can see it on my finger in the pic, and it's covering everything.

[Grey Ghost]

Metal shavings and cam,rod, main bearings = bad combo.

[MEANZ06]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Metal shavings and cam,rod, main bearings = bad combo.

time for a new Bullet...

[Montehall]

this does have a sense of finality to it.

[mrvette]

Engine is toast.....

Honestly, if you really like the car, put in a roller SBC 4 bolt main truck block, like my car with a '89 block.....put on the L98 #113 heads and dress up the top the way you like.....

I updated my engine back in '97-98 but learned the hard way, stick with a stock GM cam.....

Forget that aftermarket shit, especially anything from TPIS in Chaska Minn.....they are a crooked outfit, and sold me a defective ZZ9 cam I suffered with for damn nearly EVER.....long story....

just some advice....

[Montehall]

Originally Posted by mrvette

Engine is toast.....

Honestly, if you really like the car, put in a roller SBC 4 bolt main truck block, like my car with a '89 block.....put on the L98 #113 heads and dress up the top the way you like.....

I updated my engine back in '97-98 but learned the hard way, stick with a stock GM cam.....

Forget that aftermarket shit, especially anything from TPIS in Chaska Minn.....they are a crooked outfit, and sold me a defective ZZ9 cam I suffered with for damn nearly EVER.....long story....

just some advice.... it's just down the street.

454 LS7 BBC ''REAL DEAL''

[Kerrmudgeon]

....order up a GM crate and be done with it. Cheaper than a GOOD rebuild, and a good warranty.

[Montehall]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

....order up a GM crate and be done with it. Cheaper than a GOOD rebuild.

Chevrolet Performance 12499529 Chevrolet Performance 350ci/290HP Engine & Package

that is my honest thought.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Montehall

Chevrolet Performance 12499529 Chevrolet Performance 350ci/290HP Engine & Package

that is my honest thought.

Good choice. Decent power without terrible gas mileage.

[Fastguy]

That explains the overtightened rocker.

[bill_daniels]

Originally Posted by Montehall

this does have a sense of finality to it.

Yes, but then your Vette will be NOM and that will destroy the value of your c-4.......oh, wait.......nevermind.

[Fastguy]

That grey sludge is common in an old motor like that, not the end of the world.

[The_Dude]

Originally Posted by Montehall

Chevrolet Performance 12499529 Chevrolet Performance 350ci/290HP Engine & Package

that is my honest thought.

I was going to recommend that engine to you the other night. Drop in replacement with a warranty, and not a bad bang for the buck.

Your current engine, at the very least, has some lobes wiping off of the cam. It's time to cut your losses.

[Montehall]

Originally Posted by Fastguy

That grey sludge is common in an old motor like that, not the end of the world.

Ferrous sludge is normal?

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by Montehall

Ferrous sludge is normal?

Some is.

However, I feel it's time to cut your loses and scrap/recycle the current engine and buy a crate engine with warranty.

[Fastguy]

Check craigslist and see if you can find a running small block in a car for sale.

[Montehall]

Originally Posted by Fastguy

Check craigslist and see if you can find a running small block in a car for sale.

Wouldn't that just stick me in the same situation?

[Fastguy]

That 84 is pretty beat, so do you really want to drop $2,000 into it for a crate motor? I would see if you could find an old chevy pickup someone is parting out that could demo the motor for you. I wouldn't buy a motor you couldn't hear run.

[SubZero]

Originally Posted by Fastguy

That explains the overtightened rocker.

[SubZero]

Originally Posted by Fastguy

Check craigslist and see if you can find a new car for sale.

fixt