1987 V3500 Engine update

I recently purchased an 87 V3500 C&C truck on an auction last month. Had to drive from southern utah to northeast Oregon to go pick it up. Seller said motor was seized from running diesel fuel in it. When I got the time, I put a breaker bar on the balancer and I could turn the motor easily. I checked the oil and noticed it appeared to be over-filled by 100% or more on the dipstick. (Yeah not good) So i get my diesel oil drain pan and drain the oil out of the engine. Unfortunately, the first 4-5 quarts that came out first was orange dex coolant, then 4-5 quarts of very dirty oil. Pulled the oil filter and it didn’t look too bad. Refilled crankcase with some old 15w/40 i’ve had laying on a shelf for 20 years. I then pulled all the plugs and cranked the motor over, after replacing bad starter. It seems water is coming out of #5,7 and #8 cylinders. During the cranking the oil pressure showed about 50-60 psi and no major bad noises were heard. I’m hoping this is just blown head gaskets from a hydro-lock situation. Will be pulling the heads to investigate.

If the block isn’t salvageable, i’m looking at a Smeding 383 short block and then I’ll build it with some new vortec heads to give the old girl a new lease on life. Truck is a 49 state heavy emissions 350 and I believe was the last year a 350 could get a Q-Jet.

Updates to follow.

Please tell me about that winch. Looks like a Ramsey...

And yes, 1987 was the first year for TBI but I am not sure about the 3500 trucks. I didn't know a carburetor was still an option for '87 but I am happy to learn something new.

Redfish said:

Please tell me about that winch. Looks like a Ramsey...

And yes, 1987 was the first year for TBI but I am not sure about the 3500 trucks. I didn't know a carburetor was still an option for '87 but I am happy to learn something new.

Click to expand...

Yes Ramsey 12,000 lb electric winch. Still works fine. I believe 87 was last year for heavy emissions 350 >8600 gvw to get a q-jet. I believe the 7.4 carried on with the carb for possibly two more years with 49 state emissions and >8600 gvw. I could be wrong on that.

Owned 2 C30 cab/chassis 1988 and 1989 1-ton DRW 454. Both were TBI.

Do remember working on customer dual air pump carbed 454's during that time, unsure what year they were. Horrible to work on, guessing 87.