LS1, whats wrong with my engine? See pictures

[Moabdude]

Last year I bought a 69 Nova project car with an LS1 motor.
I took off the oil pan to notch the side that hits the center link.
There I got an unpleasant surprise........

Seems like something is wrong......
Water in the oil and it seems like the sump of the engine looks like an exhaust minifold........

Any one some suggestions of what is wrong?

Thanks

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/IMG_0102_zps83e44272-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bramrook/media/Diversen/IMG_0102_zps83e44272.jpg.html)https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/IMG_0103_zpsea1689d7-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bramrook/media/Diversen/IMG_0103_zpsea1689d7.jpg.html)https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/IMG_0105_zps9c14ca19-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bramrook/media/Diversen/IMG_0105_zps9c14ca19.jpg.html)https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/IMG_0104_zps4a1c9dc6-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bramrook/media/Diversen/IMG_0104_zps4a1c9dc6.jpg.html)

[Z06vet]

Aside from the water, everything looks pretty normal to me. If the motor sat a long time without running it could be condensation. How watery is that oil? Are those spots just on the top sheen or is everything watery? Have you driven the car with the LS1?

[andrewb70]

I'd say that looks fairly typical of a high mileage engine. As was mentioned, the water slick could just be condensation. I would do an oil change and drive it.

Andrew

[jlcustomz]

Motor does look a little behind on oil changes, but I'd agree with change it & run it.

Also beware that welding on oil pan that is not attached to a jig could warp.

[SShep71]

If I were you I would def change the flux capacitor.

[Todd in Vancouver]

I've just been doing some oil training classes for my guys and one thing I would look at is some good quality oil to help clean it up. We use Pennzoil so I would recommend some Ultra to help encapsulate the water and debris and clean it out. It's expensive but from what I've read there is nothing else on the market better at cleaning up the sludge and crap.

[Moabdude]

I did not had the motor running yet.
Looks like there is also a lot of sludge on the bottom of the oil pan. Its thick and on top of it the little bit of oil thats still in there looks kind a watery. I drained the oil and that looks dark and old but not watery.

The previous owner said it had 52k miles on it......
here it is: https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/90843-1969-Nova-PT-project-LS1
Not a bad deal so I am not complaining.

I have the car 1 year now. I think the engine did not run for about 2 1/2 years

I cleaned the engine a half year ago with a high pressure washer. maybe it got some water there?

[67rally]

The previous owner said it had 52k miles on it......
here it is: https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/90843-1969-Nova-PT-project-LS1
Not a bad deal so I am not complaining.

I think he meant 52k miles since the last oil change...

[cornfedbill]

If I were you I would def change the flux capacitor.

You can get one at your local O'Reilly's Auto Parts. Ask for part number 121G - EB Enterprises Flux Capacitor.

You can also order the Mr. Fusion upgrade kit - part number 121GMF.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/EB00/121G.oap and http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search.oap?keyword=121gmf

Good luck man.

By the way, the first thing I would do is an oil and filter change, run it around a bit to circulate everything and then change the oil and filter again. It will probably work. If not, I'd definitely go with a new flux capacitor and the Mr. Fusion upgrade.

[SShep71]

^HA BAZINGA!

But seriously, If you cleaned it with a power washer you may have more water damage than you see there. all to often people power wash their engine then let it sit for awhile. No matter how hard you cover up the ports water always seems to get in there and cause damage. If I were you I would tear into it and do some inspecting before you run it. Taking the intake and heads off should be enough to see any damage. Just my .02