I just bought a 76 550k motor minus carbs and exhaust. paid 50 bucks site unseen. It has all the chrome covers but in kinda bad shape and chrome bolts as well. the engine was painted black and not a very good job. the paint was flaking everywhere. some of the bolts had split washers and some did not. It looked like someone took this engine apart and half assed it back together. when I got the engine Home though I popped off the tappet covers and springs seem clean. I took off the valve cover and it looked as if there was new springs and valves. the little bit of oil that was up ther was dark but not bad. the rockers looked as though the have been resurfaced although the cam had signs of wear. I took the oil pan off and there was rtv sealant in chunks among other bits in
the bottom and the oil filter had chunks on the screen. all the tranny gears looked great. I pulled the clutch cover and there sat brand new clutch plates. there is paint and rtv sealant all over the inside and out side of the engine. paint on some gasket surfaces too. I can not tell if the case has been cracked open but i doubt it. there looked to be a leaking seal where the clutch shaft goes into the engine.
I have a gasket rebuild kit for the engine already. I also have oil seals for the engine.
my questions are:
does anyone have any advise?
should I just clean it up and put it back together slap carbs and exhaust on it and go?
should I go as far as open the case and check for damage? (I already have one open cleaned and ready for reassembly.) although this new one looks nicer than the cleaned and painted one.
I was planning on a new cam, springs and bore job on the original engine project I have apart now. if anyone needed to know?
all feed back will be appreciated.
