Removed Valve covers

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Oct 20, 2010 | 05:45 AM

briaineo

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Racer

Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Dublin

Removed Valve covers

Car has not been started in 5 years removed valve covers and found quite a large build up of rust / gunk a bit on the engine and a good bit more inside the valve covers. The gunk is pretty much all at the cowl end.

I've replaced to old valve covers, fuel lines, fuel pump, oil + filter

Getting close to starting the engine; what / how should I clean these deposits off before I crank her up?

Should I apply some sort of lubricant after the cleaning?

Last edited by briaineo; Oct 20, 2010 at 05:57 AM.

Oct 20, 2010 | 06:31 AM

corvetteload

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 2,359

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From: Confusion

It would be at the firewall, engine is tilted back!!!! Just wipe most of the gunk out with a rag, and for the rust just spray with penetrating oil and start. Let it run for a while or drive for a couple miles and then drain and change oil.

DISCLAIMER: I am in no way a professional mechanic nor do I play one on TV, proceed at your own risk!

Oct 20, 2010 | 09:16 AM

jackson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

Assuming this a C3 motor.

Drain the old oil overnight ... then add a gallon of kero or diesel fuel & let that stay overnight ... then let that muck drain overnight.

Remove coil wire or dist cap and ensure good battery has full charge. Then change the filter & fill w/ Rotella T 15W-40 diesel oil. Not starting; only spin motor over 'til steady pressure on op gage. Replace coil wire / cap. Now Start motor. Monitor oil condition on stick & op on gage; likely changing oil & filter again quite soon.

Oct 20, 2010 | 09:26 AM

mobjack68

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 234

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From: Covington, Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackson

get a couple of the SHORT filters, after it runs for awhile, change the filter ONLY and add oil to the fill mark on the stick....might do this a couple of times. I always do the filter change 2 or 3 times with a new build, then change the oil after a couple of hours or so of running....

decent insurance, saves a little bit of $$$$ not having to do an entire oil change, 'specially with the price of petro products these days...Almost makes synth oil seem sensible

Oct 20, 2010 | 01:22 PM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

What are you wanting to clean? The valve covers or the valve train?

Oct 20, 2010 | 01:37 PM

briaineo

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 340

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From: Dublin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Mike

What are you wanting to clean? The valve covers or the valve train?

Valve train only, replaced valve covers

Oct 20, 2010 | 01:50 PM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by briaineo

...Valve train only...

Might be a moot point. Some of what you see is going to dissolve in warm engine oil. Are you planning an engine overhaul after getting the car started? If so, you'll get things clean during the rebuild.

Oct 20, 2010 | 02:10 PM

jays78

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 58

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From: Atlanta Ga.

You might want to drop the oil pan, if crud is loosened and not disolved it will stop up your oil pump screen, causing a loss of oil pressure then, you know what happens then.