Yeah, I think you would be better off saving up for a rebuild. While it is out, it would be a good time to consider some upgrades as well if the budget permits.

 

HOLY S**T!!!!!!! what a mess!!! Pull it and rebuild OR don't go to far when you drive it. (that will save you an tow bills)

 

That's messed up.

 

if you do end up rebuilding it, take pics of the bottom end.

Im also curious to see what those bearings look like.

 

Honestly I'd saw trash that motor and just pick up another used LT1 w/ 100k on it for cheap and swamp it in. Less problems down the road.

 

I still can't get over that. It looks like it may have had the factory fill in it for 158K.

 

yeah...that's not my engine and it still gives me the shivers...Makes me want to cry seeing these cars neglected like that...

damn is right....

 

Well it looks like I'm going to try and get some money together for a new engine. Either rebuilt or another entirely. I doubt this ones going to hold up for long.

 

I've actually seen worse. I was working on a 71 Camaro that a friend had bought with a 307. The crud was almost to the bottom of the intake, and damn near filled the valve covers. We used to call them Penzoil motors...
My advice is to pul the engine and at least replace the bearings, pump, pick-up, and rings. Everything in there is going to be NASTY (and not Rap video nasty)...

 

Who ever owned the car before did not change the oil on a regular basis.The engine will freeze up if you clean this.The oil pic-up will try to suck the oil up to the pump, the oil pump will get clogged, because the crap is too thick to suck up,and the game is over,(new engine time).Might leave it be for now.(been there).

 

If it keeps oil pressure, you might as well run it for as long as it will go while you save up for a rebuild. It may look bad (and smell worse on the inside), but you already said it ran ok.

 

haha it looks like someone used your engine as a bar-b-q and burnt there ribs in it lol

 

worthy of those motor oil/sludge commercials...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ttPpieeaQ_4

 

Looks like a combo of not changing the oil and overheating the **** out of it.

 

Well unfortunately we already cleaned it out as best we could. I guess if I want it to run for a bit I better drop the pan and clean that and the pickup so I dont lose all oil pressure.