New Guy has some questions

Hey there, my name is Cameron, I'm new to the forum, and also the new owner of a 1970 skylark 350 custom convertible. I'm a mechanical engineering student and really into cars and thought this would be a great first car to welcome me to the world of classics.
Like I said I have some questions. I got the car knowing it would need some minor work to get it running like new and first on the list is the head gasket. While the car still drives, isn't burning coolant or oil, its does leak oil from the heads and I want to take care of that. other than getting a service manual does anyone have any tip tricks, websites or tools that my be useful when I do its first servicing? also just from the looks of it, it seems like the engine is set back and I will be reaching quite a bit since I am not removing the engine from under the hood. any recommendations to save my back would also be welcome.
THANKS!

 

I'm no engine expert, but oil leaking from the heads doesn't sound right. It's more likely leaking from the valve cover gaskets or the intake manifold gasket depending on where the leak is.

 

Frank is right, head gaskets almost never leak oil. Start with the valve covers. Tearing apart an engine with no good reason is a rookie mistake that you don't want to make.

First de-grease the engine in a car wash so that you can see if the valve cover fix solves the problem.

Remove the bolts and tap on the cover edges to knock them loose. Once the covers are off you need to get new gaskets. Get the rubber impregnated cork type. Thoroughly clean off the old gasket material from the covers and heads keeping it out of the engine internals.

Now sight down the sealing flange on the valve covers. The main cause of leaks is that people over-tighten the hold down bolts and the cover flange gets distorted. These flanges have to be flat to within a pretty close tolerance. The only "give" in the system is the amount that the gaskets can compress, and they are only 1/8" thick.

If you find distortion on the covers, turn them upside down and use a piece of wood as an anvil and a hammer to straighten them. Use light taps and work carefully and in a couple of minutes they'll be nice and flat.

This is the perfect time to degrease and paint the covers. There's been a lot of different "Buick Red" engine paints come and go, I have used the CARS Inc. brand even though some say it's a little more pink than stock. You can search this site for other preferences.

When you're ready to put the valve covers back on use a thin coat of gasket sealant (not RTV) to stick the gaskets to the valve covers. Re-install them and tighten just a little past HAND TIGHT. You should not need any more tool than a nut driver to do this, or you'll waste all of the work you've done.

If you really do have oil leaks at the head gasket you're in for a lot more work. You'll have to tear off the top of the motor. Tricky parts of this include getting the distributor back in right and re-timing the motor, lots more gaskets to scrape, and a pretty high probability of dropping crap in the oil pan. The "while I'm in here" bug will strike too and you'll probably spend time and money on a valve job, more cleaning and painting, etc. All of this means you'll have a project and not a car to drive for quite a while and be out bucks that you may not have to spare.

If you do take the top end off, remember to drain the coolant first. The intake manifold is a pretty heavy lump as are the heads. Strong armed help is a good idea, use fender covers too. Replace the hoses while you're at it unless they are obviously new.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the replys.

John thanks for taking the time to give your input. I will consider everything you've explained and let you know how I make out this weekend or next.

 

Having owned more than my share of V8 Buicks most of the upper engine oil leaks I have found were due to the valve cover fasteners ( bolts ) had merely loosened up. I would check and tighten any loose bolts and then clean the engine. If the oil leaks stop you have saved a lot of time and money. Good Luck and welcome to V8 BUick.

Bob H.