My car has been off the road for a while for a few reasons... mostly because college expenses have been keeping my checkbook pretty light, and the last thing I needed was another vehicle on my insurance policy. Since I've finished school for the summer and have been working some overtime to get some money saved up, I've been really wanting to get it back on the road. One of the things I've been wanting to do before putting it back on the road is to change the intake gaskets because coolant has been finding it's way out near the rubber gasket on the front of the block. Today I finally got around to pulling the intake, it came off very easily, but what I found was a little disturbing... "sludge" built up on the inside of the block. It's a flakey, greasy consistency. see pictures:

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I know I have to clean it out, but I don't want to get any on the cam, etc. Seeing this kinda makes me want to just pull the engine and completely tear it down, as that stuff could be everywhere (could it?) Although I notice it's concentrated in the middle, where the exhaust passes through. I'm thinking oil just built up there because of high heat in those spots, this engine did get a little too hot a couple times over the years, so when I put it back together I'm going to change to a better fan setup. (current shroudless clutch fan doesn't do the job at idle) and I'll probably go to a 180* T-stat instead of 195* Can't hurt I guess.

I suppose I could block off the passages that go down to the bottom end and just shop vac / wipe it out, but still... I've opened up a few engines and never seen anything that nasty, but I'm not a professional by any stretch of the word, so I figured I'd get some more opinions.

Also... The intake gasket that was in there was the "turkey tray" type. (probably the original ) I know the purpose of this is to keep oil off of the intake, but I also know some people use them and some don't. I suppose there would be oil built up like crazy on the bottom of the intake if the tray wasn't there. I actually bought new gaskets that are the separate, non turkey tray type, but I'd like to hear some pros/cons of using one type or the other before I go ahead and put it back together. Other engines I've taken apart and put back together (quite successfully I might add ) like my ol' jeep (225 V6) and the boat (454) didn't have a turkey tray, but every application is different, and I don't think either of those engines came with that originally.

In summary, is that buildup a very bad sign or is it common, considering it's age (32 years), mileage (75K) and the conditions I’ve described. Also, should I use a “turkey trayâ€

Yipes, thats a good amount of sludge. We had an old 351 Windsor look like that before we re-built it. Personally I do not know if that sludge would be through the entire engine. If it were my engine id drop the oil pan and have a look, also pull off the cyclinder heads and clean off the carbon, and finally put on fresh gaskets. This is just what I would do, this is your engine and it is your judgement on what to do. On the intake gasket, Ive never seen or heard about the "Turkey Type" gaskets, but I learn new stuff every day I guess.

click the following link... it's # 4 on that diagram. I've also heard it referred to as a valley pan, or a bathtub

http://www.mondellotwister.com/engine_blueprint.html

update... After some thought and some research I've decided to stick with the valley pan, turkey tray, whatever you want to call it... I've done some reading and it seems like most of the people not using the valley pan are also using aftermarket aluminum intakes.

as for the crud, I have it cleaned up pretty good. A shop vac, a toothbrush, a rag, and a can of carb cleaner worked pretty good to clean it up, I'll take some pics before I put it back together.

As for the rest of the engine, I have no doubt that it needs to be torn down and "freshened up" whatever that may call for. (all new gaskets obviously, plus whatever else) I'm thinking I will just put the intake back on, get the fan situation straightened out, and run it for the rest of this season. Then plan to yank it out and have someone with some real know-how go through it during the winter.

looks like I made up my own mind on this one but I'd still like to hear any input you guys have, regarding the sludge buildup or anything else.

Hi 73Delta88, hello everyone,


Another way of looking at it:
What if there had not been a leak, you had not pulled the manifold, and you didn't know about the deposits.


Not if it runs like its supposed to and doesn't leak or smoke. With care, a SBO should be good for 200K plus. Compression check is done during tuneups and the results will tell when its time for a rebuild. When the time arrives, then do it right and do it all at once.


Can't help either. Your call.


Good call, fiber gaskets are for use with aluminum heads and/or intake manifold.

Regards, Norm

Finally took the time to get it back together the other day...
Here it is all cleaned up, It seemed like I took 10 lbs of crap out of there

All clean

Runs like a champ and no leaks

Back together

Hi 73Delta88, All,


Good job.

You've got more patience than I have. A lot more.

Regards, Norm