Assessing rusty engine...

[dkraven]

Been working on a 77 Sierra Grande that was gifted to me, so free aside from the sweat and cash I put into it. It runs, but the engine is pretty rusted on the outside and I'm trying to assess how deep to go into dealing with the rust. Short version is I'm not experienced enough or ready to take it apart yet, so is there some surface work that would be worth doing? The headers are super rusty but I don't imagine that's a big problem as long as they're intact. Adding some pics so you all can see. Also if you recognize the carb, I'm not sure what model it us.

 

[Ricko1966]

Rust on the outside means nothing. If it has good compression and oil pressure,and doesn't make loud knocking noises tune it up and run it. And those exhaust manifolds,not headers,the good thing is they are really thick,if they aren't cracked they're good.

 

[dkraven]

Rust on the outside means nothing. If it has good compression and oil pressure,and doesn't make loud knocking noises tune it up and run it. And those exhaust manifolds,not headers,the good thing is they are really thick,if they aren't cracked they're good.

Awesome, thanks. Obviously I'm learning, but having a good time. Is it worth brushing off the rust and treating it you think?

 

[Ricko1966]

That rust isn't hurting anything spend your time on the things that do matter first.That rust will wait for you

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Those are cast iron factory exhaust manifolds, the rust on them looks normal(these are bare metal from the factory so they always rust on the surface). Carburetor is a Quadrajet which is factory GM 4 barrel carb. I see what looks like a GM Goodwrench 350 sticker on the valve cover. That indicates a factory remanufactured engine, which is not unusual for a '77 model truck. Our '79 Burb had one in it when we bought it in '89; we put lots of miles on it and it ran great.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Those are cast iron factory exhaust manifolds, the rust on them looks normal(these are bare metal from the factory so they always rust on the surface). Carburetor is a Quadrajet which is factory GM 4 barrel carb. I see what looks like a GM Goodwrench 350 sticker on the valve cover. That indicates a factory remanufactured engine, which is not unusual for a '77 model truck. Our '79 Burb had one in it when we bought it in '89; we put lots of miles on it and it ran great.

^^^What she said, exactly.

Once you run it a bit some of that rust will bake off too, and not look so bad. Wont effect how it runs at all, just might make it hard to work on if you have to undo rusty bolts, but thats it.

If it bothers you how it looks, you could clean it and paint, rust wont effect it, as long as its not on the inside, haha