I started a rebuild on my 75 Skylark about 10 years ago, maybe longer. I pulled the olds 260 that was in it and bought a Buick 350. I tore down the 350 and rebuilt it at home probably about 8 years ago. Unfortunately, it has sat like that ever since. The rebuild was finished and the new engine is just dropped onto the motor mounts back in the Skylark not bolted to the mounts and the bell housing is not bolted together either. I have not done anything with the transmission (I believe it is a TH350 but need to verify). It did run, no leaks that I remember but slight shifting issues if I remember correctly, before I pulled the engine. I have a renewed energy about getting this done and getting the Skylark purring again. First big question is: Since I haven't done any of the work to drop the tranny, and finished the engine rebuild, should I just bolt up the tranny and focus on the engine? If I am going to bolt up now, then any "quick" things I can do to the tranny (Front seal?) before I bolt it up to the engine? It has been sitting untouched in the car for at least 10 years. Any tips for the engine since it has been sitting for years too? Any other helpful hints or suggestions are welcomed too since I am jumping back into this rebuild. Thanks all!
I had my fresh built BBB 462 sitting for almost 8 years before I installed it in my car. Before putting it back in the car, I did take the engine apart and recoated all the bearing with assembly lube and re-gasketed/painted the motor just to make sure everything was fresh and new. Before I firing it up, I did add Vaseline in the oil pump and primed the motor to get some oil pressure. That was 7 years ago and all is good!
Not sure if you broke in the engine after building it? Was it started and run? I would probably turn it by hand with a breaker bar first to make sure it turning freely, and then prime the oil pump with a drill motor. If both of those seem good, I would fire it up. With regard to the transmission, if you aren't sure of it's status, you can always pull it later if it has problems ;~)
Thanks for the responses. That is a good idea to turn it with a breaker bar to make sure that it isn't frozen. I never turned it over/broke it in. I thought I read somewhere (no idea where) that I would not need to prime the motor? Is that a necessary step? Years ago before I stopped working on it I did pack the oil pump with grease before I bolted it on. Obviously,I do not know what exactly needs to be done but, do you have a ballpark estimate of cost for a rebuild on the tranny? Just trying to give myself an idea.
I always prime a motor first! No matter if just been rebuild or setting for years. I pull the value covers off , remove the distributor .Put in the priming in start priming the motor. Them I watch for oil on the rocher arm . Once I see oil ,I turn the motor over with a breaker bar 90 degree . Repeat this till there oil on all the rocker arms
If you can’t remember if there is a tranny problem then it must not be too bad. I personally would get the car running and driving and go from there. Enjoy it this summer and then next winter do the tranny if need be. I like to keep the car driving while I work on it, otherwise it becomes too big and too many years, and loose interest.
I would leave the trans in place and hopefully it’s fine. Might as well pull the engine out again and quickly remove the oil pan and ensure things are all Good.
Just prime the pump thru the distributor hole, no need to remove valve covers and watch for oil. Your priming the PUMP, once the engine fires it will send oil where it needs to go
