'69 C20 Rebuild

[MarineChevyDriver]

This is a continuation of my thread from a few months ago. I bought a running C20 and seized it when it overheated from a bad oil leak. I'm planning a rebuild of the engine, so this is how I'm starting it.

[litew8]

Along for the ride.

[Tinkermc]

looks like a real good place to start

[MarineChevyDriver]

Today is the day.

First to grab some supplies:
tarp to cover the open engine compartment in outdoor storage
ziplocks for bolts, etc
mechanix gloves
bungies to pin up accessory tubes, wires, etc
masking tape for labeling
cardboard boxes or similar to hold stuff
wire coat hangars to pin up the exhaust system
permanent marker for the obvious
1000lb engine stand from harbor freight with mounting bolts

Then having her towed to the base shop. I'll take some pics along the way. The goal today is simply to get it out of the truck.

Unless someone has better advice, I'm planning to remove the engine and tranny as a unit. From what I can remember, I don't think there is anything that will support the tranny if I separate it from the engine. Right?

[MarineChevyDriver]

Found a couple more pieces of reference.

[Tinkermc]

will be watchin

[MarineChevyDriver]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

will be watchin

Unfortunately, I didn't get started. I only was able to get my supplies together and get it off the jack stands in storage. Have to put it off for a few more weeks now. Stand by!

[MarineChevyDriver]

I finally got the engine out yesterday. Now to find out what's going on inside.

Engine pull pictures.

[MarineChevyDriver]

Some more updates. Found the problem. Spun a couple bearings, seized 2 piston rods, broke a couple bearings, and melted the bearing on the #6 piston.

So here's my plan: Sell the heads and intake, take the block to the machine shop for magnaflux check, honing, and boring out the max I can get, hopefully .60 over. Pick up an Edlebrock rebuild kit, and pull the rest of the universal and usable parts from the truck. Last, I've decided to put the body up for sale and use the money from that to build a nice engine ready to for install into a different vehicle.

[MarineChevyDriver]

Ready for the machine shop.

[Mustard72]

So did you find anything wrong when you took it apart? Just kidding...

[MarineChevyDriver]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

So did you find anything wrong when you took it apart? Just kidding...

Nope, seems I took it apart for nothing!

Haha.

[MarineChevyDriver]

I could use some help identified some of the parts I have. I can't find the block casting number in my book I have.

[MarineChevyDriver]

Tranny

[MarineChevyDriver]

So far I've found:

1982 TGM 350 conv. van & bus L LS9 155 4 C-10 to 3500

[MarineChevyDriver]

Found the head casting number info:

33417369 350, Gen.I, Crate motor, Hecho En Mexico, 7 bolt ex, 76cc, 1.94-1.5, flange VC holes, heavy castings

[MarineChevyDriver]

Glued the cracks in the plastic, repainted the instrument console, and added a clear gloss coat. The silver isn't a shiny chrome, but I still think it came out nice. I will need some new gauges, just not sure if I am going to replace all of them, or add what I need.


BEFORE



AFTER



THE WORK

[MarineChevyDriver]

I tried to re-organize my photos and upload some more, but I deleted them by accident. So here's the highlights from before.

The day I brought her home.

[MarineChevyDriver]

Pulled the engine.

[MarineChevyDriver]

Ripped it apart. Bearings and crank are no more!

Tranny is still in great shape!

[MarineChevyDriver]

Originally Posted by MJs69CST

Making progress!

I haven't updated in over 6 months, so I have a lot of catching up to do on here.

Loving every minute of doing this.

[MarineChevyDriver]

First tasks were to prep the items that required the least work.

#1 - Prep the tranny casing for painting.

There was excess metal on the sides of the casing from what looked like previous mounts. I used a cutting wheel on those and then ground them smooth.




#2 - Cleaned the whole thing with soap and water. Then sanded the transmission pan in prep for paint.

[MarineChevyDriver]

#3 - Prime and Paint.




4# - Headers were still like new, only they were covered in burnt oil. Used a spinning brush and drill, clean them up, and painted them with a flat silver.

[MarineChevyDriver]

#5 - Got the block back from the machine shop. Cleaned, magnaflux checked, bored 0.30 over, line honed, freeze plugs, and cam bearings installed.

#6 - Cleaned all the cooling ports with wire brushes, and opened up some of the ports slightly with a Dremel. Cleaned the bolt threads up with a rethreading kit so those new bolts will go in nice and smooth.

[litew8]

cool