Replacing 454 gaskets opinion

Hello, I have finally had an opportunity to pull my donor 160k mile 1993 454 engine to swap into a 1980 K30, the engine ran as smooth as a 2024 model when pulled. The only oil leaks that I see right now are a leaking power steering line, maybe oil coolers lines and valve covers. (bolts were loose) While I had the engine running under my shed I noticed some smoke but I'm not sure it was from the exhaust as it looked fine. (could have been oil on exhaust manifolds?) I did pull the plugs and all the tips were clean with the exception of some build up around the electrode on a couple. I'll post picture when I get a good one.

My question which I think I know the answer to is would you all replace all gaskets on the engine while it's out and accessible with maybe a exception to the head gaskets. I thinking oil pan, timing cover, rear main, valve guide seals, valve covers, Tbi, exhaust and maybe intake, the whole Felpro set except head and intake.
Also what about timing chain and gears and would you replace oil pump?

let me know what you think.....really don't want to do a full rebuild, just don't want leaks and problems down the road.

Thanks

Personally, I'd do all of the above including head gaskets while it's out and easily accessible. That'll also give you a chance to inspect the bottom end and cylinder wall condition

Thanks, yeah I had thought about if I pulled the heads I could have a look at that. I was blown away at how clean it was when I pulled a valve cover off, I was told it was a one owner who only used it to put a boat in and out at the beach and occasional trips.

I cleaned everything good and replaced all the gaskets except for the heads on the motor for the project I’m doing.

TotalyHucked said:

Personally, I'd do all of the above including head gaskets while it's out and easily accessible. That'll also give you a chance to inspect the bottom end and cylinder wall condition

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The problem with this is, it increases the chances of the "might as wells" greatly.

Some might say that iffin' it ain't broke, don't go fixin' it. I can't say that I'm one of those people though, lol.

I'll add this. Get a Melling High volume oil pump. I have one in all my chevy v8s.

bucket said:

The problem with this is, it increases the chances of the "might as wells" greatly.

Some might say that iffin' it ain't broke, don't go fixin' it. I can't say that I'm one of those people though, lol.

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My wallet will tell you I am the extreme of "while I'm here" My daily needs an oil pan gasket and rear main. You can guess what else it's gonna get while it's out since it's an LS

Thanks for all of the replies, yeah this started out as just find a running engine and put in the truck and go, but with the truck body and frame being in such good shape and 34K original miles and also having the body off the the frame I'm like "I might as well do it right while I'm at this point".
Over the past few days that I've messed with it, I have it unbolted from the transmission and got it on a engine stand. After cleaning it really well it looks like the oil leaks were from the valve covers and a leaking PS pump / line.
My plans are to replace all gaskets and then it will probably be "well I should probably replace the rings" and then it will be "well I should probably replace the bearings". Like I have said it ran very smooth and quiet.

Thanks

Well I got the intake and heads pulled off this afternoon. It appears to me that it may be burning some oil or maybe not as I haven't disassembled a lot of engines. There is like a dark oil like ring at the top of each cylinde Also the cross honing marks are visible in each cylinder, but it looks like I can see ridges on the cylinder wall where the piston stops at the top. (I will attach pictures)

I am hoping I can hone it out replace rings and go with it that way. Haven't looked at the valve guide seals, but like everything else on this motor they are probably brittle.

It just looks like carbon buildup in the upper cylinders from here.

Now, if those pistons would only come up just a little more......

bucket said:

It just looks like carbon buildup in the upper cylinders from here.

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Hey, thanks. Its been a long time since I was a teenager and worked on engines, and mostly an observer then. I'm 57 now.
The ring at the top of cylinder was a crusty black substance which I thought may have been burnt oil residue.