Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Help me figure what I need to do with this motor?

I just bought a 1987 Chevrolet C-1500 4x4 with a 305. The owner said the last time he was drove it the motor overheated and he noticed water leaking out the exhaust pipes he said might be a blow head gasket. He parked the truck for about a year then I bought it. I put cables to the battery and it fired right up. Stayed running, but I noticed smoke coming from the drivers side head. Also the oils is a little milky. What steps should I take to get this thing running again? I don't really want to rebuilt it yet.

Sounds like you have your work cut out for you...all signs of a blown head gasket...milky oil will eventually ruin the motor not to mention the other problems it could cause.

I would change the oil first see if that helps, sometimes motors will get condensation in them if they sit. Crank it, let it run, see if the oil goes milky again.

Your also getting blow through on the gasket it sounds like. This causes compression loss and cant be good on the valves.

Might want to look into what a long block would cost, they can be cheap in some places. Plus you wouldnt have to worry about the motor again :)

Good Luck!

agreed, thats a bad situation to be in, most likely a head gasket, but don't count out the possibility of a warped head either. An aftermarket longblock would be ur best way to go, u can pick them up rather cheap.

Pull that 305 out and use it for what it does best.......boat anchor or door stop.:)
You can pick up a new complete GM 350 crate longblock for $1400 or less, warranty and all.

Yeah I might as well look for a 350 find out what caused the overheating in the first place and not worry again.