Is this a Healthy SC Engine?

[VaSteve]

The local NoVa gang got to me yesterday and now I have my engine free of the car in the garage.





I pulled the engine to address some leaks and while it was out inspect some other things. I planned to adjust the valves and wanted to check the head studs. I didn't find any loose barrell nuts, I put a 10mm allen in each one and gave a real light twist - all seemed secure - is that all there is to it?

Can someone please advise from these photos if everything looks ok. I'm a little concerned over cylender #3. There looks to be a lot of burned up oil around it I didn't see around the other cylenders.

[VaSteve]

This is the cylender I'm talking about. #3:




#1 was a little grimy on the outside side...

[blue82coupe]

Looks like rocker shafts leaking and or cam tower to head leakage. Could also be the valve cover gaskets. Dan

[Wayne 962]

Looks pretty good to me. I have seen that grime near all cylinders before...

-Wayne

[ischmitz]

NoNo scrapit or ship it to me....

Seriously, that is impossible to tell from a couple of pictures alone. The good news is that you have no boken head studs. What you see is the result of an oil leak like others said. It could be as simple as warped valve covers (sand them down) or leaky rocker shafts (tighen them a little) or more involved such as chain housing to cam tower gasket leak.

Another concern could be worn valve guides. Smoke on decel is a good indication here. A compression/leakdown ususally gives you some more insight. How many miles on the engine? Have fun,

Ingo

[VaSteve]

105 on the engine. The gunk around #3 may have crept in past the tin because I had a nice leak coming from the breather/termostat/pressure switch (yes, that leak ).

No smoke on decel.

[ischmitz]

The breather hose leak is very very comon. An engine might look squeaky clean. Once you remove the shroud you are in for a surprise.

For all I know this leak killed my 3.6 in its early life. The oil was baked on in a half inch thick layer preventing proper cooling. That resulted in overheating/warped heads. The outcome was a costly rebuild.

Yours looks not too bad. Good thing you found your leak early.

Cheers,
Ingo

[Gordo2]

Obviously they didn't let you know you could adjust the valves with the engine in the car

Watch out for the "while it's out" bug.

Gordo

[OldTee]

Study that crowd closely! Have you counted your engine parts lately? They look like they could try out for a reality edition of Oceans 13!!!!!

gang!

[Jim Richards]

We NEVER do unnecessary surgery in NoVA.

[Superman]

Replace the thermostat o-ring, the oil pressure switch, perhaps the breather cover gasket, some rubber parts (intake runner sleeves, etc), button her up and drive the piss out of her.

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by Superman
Replace the thermostat o-ring, the oil pressure switch, perhaps the breather cover gasket, some rubber parts (intake runner sleeves, etc), button her up and drive the piss out of her.

There's an article on fixing all of these leaky spots in 101 Projects...

-Wayne

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
There's an article on fixing all of these leaky spots in 101 Projects...

-Wayne

Got it...and the engine book.

Supe, I'll be back to driving her like Gramma in no time.

[aigel]

My bet is either rocker shaft or cam end plate o-ring. Just do them both. Good time to upgrade to better cams!

George

[cstreit]

Hmmm... I see plenty of loose nuts in that first picture

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by cstreit
Hmmm... I see plenty of loose nuts in that first picture

Well, you have met the Dorki crowd!