Well, we've taken the heads of this thing (for those who still remember the "dirtiest lt1 ever post") today. Here's a few pics:

Head
Block

What do you think about it? It looks like the walls are pretty smooth and there isn't that much buildup on the cylinders. What about the rusty looking valve/cylinder? I was thinking that maybe an injector wasn't spraying well or at all. Or maybe no spark on that cylinder? The plug sure doesn't look too good, but it isn't broken or anything....

Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

The tops of the pistons don't look bad at all, little build up around the outside edge, cyl walls look out. Coolant looks goood and can't see a lot of buildup of rust in the coolant passages. That end cyl on the head looks like it was getting fire, does not look wet or oily, you get those wierd colors from fuel additives, maybe it ran a little hottera Valve job, guides and seals and it is good to go.
Is this the same engine you posted the sluge problem with? You gonna drop the pan? Maybe some new bearings, polish the crank and toss a oil pump at it, dingball and rings. If it has good hoy oil pressure i would just put the heads on and gamble on the bottom end.

 

Yup, that same engine.
I thought so too. The cylinders and walls don't look bad at all. Might as well give this engine another try.

As for pulling the oil pan out, I was thinking of removing the shortblock with the tranny together, pull the oil pan, and maybe replace the oil pump with the tranny still attached to the engine. I really don't wanna take out the tranny first, and at this point it looks like what I'm saying might be pretty easy to do.

Here's another pic of how the whole engine looks right now.
engine

We're thinking of putting a cc306 kit/ported heads/headers in this engine too.

 

You guys are brutal! Get'r done!

 

Drop the pan, clean the pickup and pan, put a new pump on, and DEFINITELY get this stuff www.auto-rx.com. If Patman is reading this, he too would recommend it.

Jason