old 440+6

[1duster]

I have a 440 6bbl that i have had sitting in my garage since the car bunt up (in house fire). I have decided to find another b body but first i want to get the engine ready. What should i do with the engine? I have the heads off and everything looks good. Should i still replace the bearings? rings? Only thing is that when i manualy turn it over, the cam moves back and forth....is this normal?

[dirty dan]

If the engine was in good shape befor the fire ,it still is.
I would pull out the oil pump shaft to take a look at the bushing .If that checks out ok you should have no problems.
If the bushing is melted then it is time to start over with that engine.
due to EXTREM heat.
I would clean the oil pan and pick up tube and change the pan
gasket .
take a look through the hole by the oil pump drive shaft and check the condition of the top timeing chain gear incase of
nylon melting.
And replace the valve seals.
Other then that happy motoring.
Dirty Dan