Not sure what's happening here

[bdouble]

So I popped off the intake for the first time this evening and don't know what to think. Is this normal (pics below)?
I'm replacing the intake with an eddy 2101 so I'm not really concerned about the old intake. I'm much more concerned that this is a sign other stuff is wrong; it seems like an awful lot of carbon deposit on the underside of the old intake.
Plus, half the intake bolts were pretty concerning... I'd say half hardly needed a ratchet to take off and were well saturated with oil and the other half were rusted and a complete pain in the ass. And it wasn't like this was the right half vs the left half, it was kind of random.
I can see down into the some of the valves and they look like the poster child for the chevron with techron ads - definitely got some carbon build-up in there.

Tips? I want to get this thing wrapped up so I can get this daily driver back on the road - but it's my first time really doing any real work on an engine so it is taking way longer than it should haha

Oh, it's a 73 K10 with a 350 - qjet, hei, pretty much stock aside from that.

Thanks

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[350runner]

Looks like the heat cross over was leaking. I good gasket should fix that issue

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[friscobob]

I suspect the heat riser is stuck as well, closed or half closed.

 

[MadOgre]

I suspect the heat riser is stuck as well, closed or half closed.

Good thing to check for sure!

 

[MadOgre]

Myself I would be tempted to pull the heads and have them cleaned up new seals and all but that's just me. if you have had no performance issues with the engine I would use a shop vac and screw driver to clean any loose carbon from the intake ports and clean the head to intake mating surface very well with a razor blade and putty knife. It can take a while.

Be sure to put some plastic bags over your lifters at the bottom of the intake valley to ensure you don't drop debris into them and vac suck them out good when your all done and ready to install your new intake.

Install the new gaskets and torque to specs, you should be ok

All that mess is from leaking intake gaskets

 

[MadOgre]

Its normal for that exhaust cross over port to look like that but not the bottom of the intake.

 

[bucket]

I can see down into the some of the valves and they look like the poster child for the chevron with techron ads - definitely got some carbon build-up in there.

Let's remember, it's a '73. To me, that all looks extremely clean for a truck that old. The carbon buildup in the crossover ports is completely normal, the staining on the underside of the intake is probably nothing to be alarmed about either. It's just a much hotter area of the intake and oil has likely burned onto it over time.

Stock exhaust or headers?

 

[fallguy]

Comparing to what I've seen on mine...you're good. New Felpros and silicon on front and rear ends and you'll be fine. Just needed maintenance TLC. Do yourself a favor...buy new intake bolts too and remember to tighten like lug nuts....across. You'll probably notice it runs a little better too....at least I did cause then your fuel/air mix isn't all jacked up with a leaking intake.

 

[chengny]

On newer engines there is usually a stainless steel plate that prevents oily vapors from reaching the underside of the manifold:

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[scottybaccus]

That's normal, and your engine looks very clean. Folks forget that the exhaust cross-over gets pretty darn hot. They added the stainless plate later on to limit oil consumption from burning it off here. On your next install, this one or an Edelbrock, use the block off plates. It will make for a cooler intake overall.

 

[bdouble]

Thanks guys. Got the new Eddy 2101 on last Thursday. Managed to mess up the distributor timing 180 degrees out. Rather than lose it in the alley behind my place, I just paid the local shop to fix that & change the oil. Just took a quick 3 mile tow. Now on to fixing the brake booster, weather stripping, and figuring out the squeaking on the front right wheel. Seems like it'll never end haha

 

[Kim Burke]

Thanks guys. Got the new Eddy 2101 on last Thursday. Managed to mess up the distributor timing 180 degrees out. Rather than lose it in the alley behind my place, I just paid the local shop to fix that & change the oil. Just took a quick 3 mile tow. Now on to fixing the brake booster, weather stripping, and figuring out the squeaking on the front right wheel. Seems like it'll never end haha

I’ve been there, just make a list and do one thing everyday to make it better. Feels like I’m restoring a house, sometimes.

 

[Dougnsalem]

Lol. Rusty Nail sighting in 5..... 4..... 3............