iRiE
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Posts: 84
Loc: Sacramento, CA
Reg: 07-02-12
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 07-06-12 04:15 PM - Post#2245250
Embarassed to admit...but Im not as mechanically inclined as Id like to be. Just came back from having a 56 4 door Im thinking about buying looked at and we found some fresh oil spray on the passenger side only of the undercarriage. Its all over so its hard to say where its coming from. But the theory was that it was coming out in a little bit of a vapor from a tube near the block that pointed towards the ground. He said it was some sort of relief tube and that either the rings were a little worn and it was over pressuring a bit Or maybe they overfilled the oil...etc. But overall he didnt think it was a huge deal.
Does this all sound reasonable to you guys? The rest of the car is near perfect. Almost no rust anywhere. So Id really like to buy it. But oil leaks make me nervous. lol.
Its not smoking when running...no blue smoke to be seen on startup really. What do you guys think?
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tewitt1949
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07-06-12 07:16 PM - Post#2245292
In response to iRiE
Any vapor or smoke that comes out of the breather tube you mention is actually the amount of blow by that is going past the rings. Normally the more blow by you have means the rings are getting bad. In other words the motor needs rebuilding. Excessive blow by means the motor is getting tired.
One thing I try is run it to 60-70 mph, let off the gas and coast until you to to about 40-50 mph then step on the gas and watch the exhaust pipe, and see if puffs a cloud of smoke. Just my 2 cents.
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iRiE
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-06-12 09:36 PM - Post#2245320
In response to tewitt1949
Ill do that. Thanks for the reply!
He said they just rebuilt it in 2000. Along with the tranny. But that was twelve years ago...
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Edited by iRiE on 07-06-12 09:38 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Allan In NE
Contributor
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07-07-12 05:14 AM - Post#2245350
In response to iRiE
All internal combustion engines have "blow by". Normal operation. Question is, is it excessive?
You've got to asertain if the oil is coming from the draft tube, the transmission dipstick tube or the right valve cover.
If the draft tube, clean the air inlet (oil fill cap). If it seems to be coming from the transmission tube, it's vent is plugged.
I'd really look at that right valve cover gasket tho.
Allan
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iRiE
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07-07-12 06:00 AM - Post#2245358
In response to Allan In NE
Thanks Allan. We only saw the oil on the very bottom of the engine. When looking from the top it was virtually spotless. Nothing near the valve covers at all.
It also had a screw in style oil filter adaptor on it. The mechanic said sometimes when that adaptor was used that it can leak slightly from that as well. But that was on the drivers side of the engine and seemed unlikely as the source of the issue I think.
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iRiE
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-10-12 08:18 AM - Post#2246510
In response to iRiE
My mechanic mentioned putting on new valve covers with a PCV valve on it so as to relieve some of the pressure inside the engine. His thinking was this might lessen the amount of oil coming thru the blow hose. Does this sound reasonable? Currently the covers are just solid with no valves.
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 Gray Headed Mule
"11th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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07-10-12 01:46 PM - Post#2246662
In response to iRiE
It may not be a problem at all. I was having the same problem with mine but it was a v8. you didn't specify what kind of engine it has.
BUT my problem was a bolt in the front of the engine that was missing. It's the bolt that holds the fuel pump rod up when you are changing out the fuel pump. It didn't leak at idle but when reving or driving it would throw oil out of the hole and cover the underneath side like you are talking about.
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iRiE
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-11-12 08:54 AM - Post#2246959
In response to Gray Headed Mule
Hmm...ok. Good to know. It is a V8. There's still some controversy as to what type of motor it is. The seller claimed it was the original 265. But my mechanic said no way...its a crate 350. I'm a complete rookie and wouldn't know the difference either way.
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 gotta56forme
"8th Year"Silver Supporting Member
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07-11-12 09:07 AM - Post#2246969
In response to iRiE
A 265 (with 265 cylinder heads) will have the 'staggered' valve cover bolt holes. I think the staggered holes went away in '59...? Staggered holed mean the intake manifold side valve cover bolts are not directly across from exhaust manifold side valve cover bolts. The after '59 sbc valve covers had them directly across from each other. Also, the 265 doesn't have side mounts embossed on the block for supporting the motor. Only front mounts. Later blocks could be either side or front mounted.
If you have the road draft tube, you may have a 283, 327 or I believe there was a one year only 350 with that provision.
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iRiE
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07-11-12 09:12 AM - Post#2246971
In response to gotta56forme
Here's some pictures...although what your describing probably cant be seen in these...
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gotta56forme
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07-11-12 09:16 AM - Post#2246974
In response to iRiE
Forgot to mention that early 283 heads ('57, '58, and...'59?) had the staggered bolt valve covers. Later 283 heads had the straight across valve cover bolts.
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iRiE
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07-11-12 09:21 AM - Post#2246978
In response to gotta56forme
Thanks for the help by the way. 
I'm pretty sure the valve cover bolts are right across from each other top to bottom. But I'll have to double check.
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Edited by iRiE on 07-11-12 09:22 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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gotta56forme
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07-11-12 09:30 AM - Post#2246984
In response to iRiE
If your oil fill tube is operational and you have a working road draft tube, then I don't think you have a 350 crate motor. My guess is you have either a...
265 (no side motor mounts)
early 283 (no side motor mounts)
later 283 (side motor mounts)
327
possible, but chances are slim you have the one year only ('68?) 350 with roaddraft tube.
Scott/Gotta56forme
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-11-12 09:33 AM - Post#2246986
In response to gotta56forme
Would a 3 speed tranny be an original tranny then?? The mechaninc thought they were originally 2 speed.
Edit: Just went and looked at the original 56 owners manual and sure enough...it was a 3 speed.
It also has an Edelbrock 4 barrel carb. I'm guessing that is aftermarket right?
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Edited by iRiE on 07-11-12 09:35 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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iRiE
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07-11-12 10:19 AM - Post#2247010
In response to iRiE
If what I'm looking at is really them...the motor mounts are in the front. Each one sits atop a spring looking rubber grommet and is near the radiator fan.
The valve cover bolts are also definitely right on top of each other.
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Edited by iRiE on 07-11-12 10:22 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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gotta56forme
"8th Year"Silver Supporting Member
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07-11-12 10:25 AM - Post#2247014
In response to iRiE
Did you notice if your block had the side mount embossments cast into it? These would be above the oil pan, and below the cylinder heads, on each side. My memory is the embossment is for three bolts which fasten the side mount to the block.
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55 Shaker
Member
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Reg: 03-13-06
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07-11-12 10:40 AM - Post#2247020
In response to iRiE
iRiE what's your location? Maybe a fellow CTer near you can swing by, and help you with some of your questions. Just a thought. Enjoy your new ride. 
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-11-12 11:06 AM - Post#2247029
In response to 55 Shaker
Not a bad idea...I'm in Sacramento if anyone else is close.
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-11-12 11:07 AM - Post#2247030
In response to gotta56forme
I'll see if I can take a look. I've been searching around trying to find pictures of this stuff to compare to. But haven't found anything yet. 
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gotta56forme
"8th Year"Silver Supporting Member
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07-11-12 11:28 AM - Post#2247036
In response to iRiE
In this photo, they are the three threaded 'posts' encircling the left most freeze plug...
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-11-12 12:22 PM - Post#2247053
In response to gotta56forme
Is the left side of that picture on the front or rear of the engine?
Edit: I'm guessing rear if you said they are over the oil pan...
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Edited by iRiE on 07-11-12 12:25 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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gotta56forme
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07-11-12 12:29 PM - Post#2247055
In response to iRiE
Actually that 400ci sbc block is upside down because the crank & maincaps are partially visible at the top of the photo. So... if it was right side up, the freeze plug with the three bolt risers encircling it would be on the right side of the photo. We are looking at the passenger side of the block. The bolt risers encircling the freeze plug would be towards the front of the car, as viewed on the block, in a car.
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
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Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-11-12 12:32 PM - Post#2247056
In response to gotta56forme
Ok...so more in the front then. Got it.
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Edited by iRiE on 07-11-12 12:34 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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gotta56forme
"8th Year"Silver Supporting Member
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07-11-12 12:32 PM - Post#2247058
In response to iRiE
yep, if your block was cast with them
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
Posts: 84
Loc: Sacramento, CA
Reg: 07-02-12
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07-11-12 12:35 PM - Post#2247059
In response to gotta56forme
I'm pretty sure it does not then...because the mounts that are used now would be just around the corner from that on the front corners of the block.
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gotta56forme
"8th Year"Silver Supporting Member
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07-11-12 12:42 PM - Post#2247065
In response to iRiE
Not sure I'm following your logic. The first generation (gen 1) small blocks ('55-'8...6?) can be mounted using the front mounts which were standard on '55-57 Chevs. I don't remember which year the blocks featuring the cast in side mounts started appearing, but I think it was...'58. So, IF you have a block made after '57 in your car, it will have the side mounts cast into the block.
Brief tangent to illustrate my point... I bought my 210 HT (avatar photo) with a 350ci sbc already installed. When I bought it, it was mounted with the front mounts, but I purchased some aftermarket parts to convert it to side mount. My 350 is now mounted using the side mounts, and I removed the front mounts (which you described well, earlier) from my car.
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
Posts: 84
Loc: Sacramento, CA
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07-11-12 01:09 PM - Post#2247083
In response to gotta56forme
I only see front mounts and dont see anything like that picture you posted on my car.
My logic was I would have seen the side mount casting since they would be relatively close to the mounts in the front (just around the corner on the side) from where I was looking.
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iRiE
Forum Newbie
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07-11-12 01:10 PM - Post#2247084
In response to iRiE
...vice the rear which was no where near where I was looking. If that makes any sense. =)
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gotta56forme
"8th Year"Silver Supporting Member
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07-11-12 02:43 PM - Post#2247105
In response to iRiE
OK, so if you don't have the side mount bosses, then you either have a 265 or maybe an early 283.
In this photo...
you will see a note for the engine ID/VIN code. In '55-57 they didn't put part of the VIN in this number on that pad - that came later. If your block hasn't been 'decked' (a machining process sometimes done during quality rebuilds), then a number & letter code will appear. I think if you get that code from the pad, then there are guys here who can decode it and possibly determine year & engine size from it, amongst some other things.
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chevybow
Member
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Loc: Monroe Ga. Red Neck Capi...
Reg: 09-03-04
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07-11-12 04:29 PM - Post#2247143
In response to gotta56forme
To rule out a 55, 265 cu in engine,,,does it have oil filter???????Donny
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