Ok, i am working on my new project 67, with a 289. This motor has supposedly been rebuilt but has also been sitting for a few years with the intake and distributor off. I cleaned up the motor a little bit and pulled off the valve covers to inspect everything. The valves appear to be pretty clean. From what I can tell the cam looks pretty new also. However, several of the lifters show rust on them. The pushrods seem to move freely and don't show any much rust.There was a lot of dirt and debris in the intake valley.I would assume that Dirt has problably fallen into the motor while the intake was off.

What should i do? Am i wasting my time working on this motor? Is it possible to get this motor running in current condition?

Should i pull it and have it rebuilt or would it be better to find a used motor or get a 302 crate motor?

Eventually i would like to put a new motor in but if i can get this one running i would prefer that right now.

 

id rebuild it or put it aside and build up a 351w for it

 

You can disassemble it, clean it well, and check various components for wear. Replace the rusty bits and whack it back together. If it has been rebuilt with few miles on it, the machining work that was done, should still be ok.

 

No rebuild is not nessary, just replace the lifters and cleanup the valley. But I would pull the oil pan and make sure nothing has fallen down there. If you find rust on the bottom end when you pull the pan I wouldn't worry to much about it as long as nothing is pitted. surface rust will disapear as sson as you run the engine.

 

id just take it a part and clean it to make sure theres nothing in it make sure no rocks or anything got kicked in it and id just replace the lifters they wont cost you to much money

 

everything on the motor points to a rebuild that has never been started. The valve covers haven't even been used, they show perfectly clean on the inside. The cam looks new and the valves are clean. How do i replace the lifters? What damage could I do if i try to start it a is? i drained the oil and the oil looked clean.

should i try to turn the motor over with a big socket by hand?

 

Just loosen the rockers, move them to the sideand pull the push rods out and then use a magnet to pull each lifter out and replacethem with new ones.. How much rust are you seeing on the lifter,, it could just be surface rust that would go away after being oiled and ran for a while..

If you put in new oil, prime the system with a 5/16 socket in the distributor hole(i think thats the size), then turn it over a couple times with the starter, hook up your ignition wires and start her up.. You do have the intake and carb right? There is knothing wrong with turning it over with a 1 inch socket from the front of the motor,, if you just want to see it move.. You may need to adjust the rockers though,, check the FAQ section to find out how to adjust those suckers..

 

thanks for the reply. it looks like mostly surface rust. I might try to run it the way it is. i have a carb and intake on the way and am still trying to line up a distributor. Anything I need to be careful of when turning the motor by hand?

 

As MustangLover66 says, I would try and run the engine after a good clean out with the oil pan off. I wouldcheck the cam and lifters forrust, and get some good cam lube ant re coat the cam and lifters with it since I assume that the engine hasnever run since rebuild and the lifter pre-lube is probably long gone.

You really don't have a lot to loose by giving it a shot... I would.