I'm thinking that my motor may not be original or may be rebuilt... I just pulled it apart (in the car) and the head gaskets are the composite type, which they should be the steel shim. Also I can still see the crosshatching on the cylinder bores.... which after 100,000 miles, don't you think it would not be there? and the lack of any real ridge is also suggesting it. I put 25,000 hard miles on it since I bought it, the previous owner put 75,000 miles on it, but that was old man miles.... Where is the VIN number located on the block? Also under all the rocker bolts and head bolts it a LOT of this gray liquid stuff, kinda like never seize, but there looks like there is a ton of it... did buick put it on during assembly?
The vin should be on the front side of the block, just below the driver's side head. You will probably have to wire brush it, then use some brake spray or carb cleaner and try to get it as clean as you can. There will be the number there, it should match the last half of the VIN on the car. Chances are your engine was rebuilt or had a valve job done to it. Both of which are good things. THe grey stuff is normal, not sure exactly how it forms but I've seen it on head bolts and rocker arm bolts. The Buick engine is made of a very strong material that stands up well to wear, I wouldn't be surprised if there is no ridge and there is some crosshatch left. Dan
serial # on a 350 buick engine, serial # is on the passenger side of the block at the front below the head , behind/below the alternator . gerry gs 350 ht #s
The grey antiseize looking stuff is actually moisture/water build up. It is very common on all buick V8's especailly when they only do frequent short runs where the engine temp doesn't burn all the moisture off. May be a result of the relativily low amount of oil that gets pumped up the rockers on a stock engine. Jake
