H Monster said

Should probably start by mentioning I need help with general 318 stuff. I asked and was given the OK to post, as it is NOT an A body. Beast sat idle for maybe 5 years or more.....classic was running when parked. Was not running when I bought it.

Just joined.....have questions

Anyway, second part is while I happen to own a set of 40 year old Craftsman wrenches, I'm not a mechanic. Last engine I pulled using them was over 40 years ago. Can do basic stuff like swapping parts, etc, but if you get technical, you will get over my head in a hurry. Do not normally do my own wrenching, but this isn't normally. I need to get this thing working myself so when it has issues, I can resolve them.

So beyond the basic stuff I did to get her running (pulled carb....handed it to a guy who has done thousands of carb kits), new starter, new starter switch and ignition wiring circuit; new gas tank and fuel lines, new battery, changed oil, oil filter, etc. We got her going and she idles and runs pretty good. Have plenty more to do on the perimeter, but have questions about the engine.

One issue, she had two freeze/core plugs that were leaking pretty bad. One a steady, drip, drip, drip. Initial concern was should could have a busted block, but then realized all the anti-freeze had probably leaked out, so nothing to freeze or bust. But, did replace two of the plugs, however and in doing so, got nearly 1/4 cup of sediment / scale from each hole. One side was so plugged up I began to wonder if that was where they buried Jimmy Hoffa. But makes me think the engine coolant channels could be really clogged up. Anyway to get rid of that short of tearing down the engine? Perhaps replace all the other plus and flush it really well?

Second issue, when checking the oil, dip stick showed nothing. So drained the oil, new filter, added 5 quarts and still no oil? So thinking maybe it had a bigger than standard oil pan.....like maybe 7 or 8 quarts, kept adding oil. At 10 quarts, still nothing showing on the dip stick.

Is it possible for the dip stick to somehow deviate out of the hole it is supposed to go in? Hangs up where it enters the block, but then pushes on through. For this thing not to show oil with 10 quarts in it makes no sense. Oil pan does not look that big.

Also, when you lay the dip stick up against the tube, tip bottoms out just above the bottom of the forward pan, just where it seems to me like it should.

Any thoughts? Can't be running this without knowing oil level is where it is supposed to be.

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PS: Didn't start or run it with that much oil. Drained 4 quarts out before starting.

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