[ghost28]

You guys might be able to shed some light on this problem. 350 chevy engine mostly stock that got hot and now it runs pretty rough. I am gonna get it performing again, but I thought you might have some ideas where to look to solve the problem. The owner said it really never ran up to it's potential. It is a cool looking 55 chevy.

[sixball]

How hot? Valve springs, warped valves, lifters, head gasket, rings, spark plugs?

[EDNY]

If it got hot - could be looking at head gaskets (or cracks ).  I'd start by looking at the dipstick for milky colored oil or oil in the radiator.  With it idling remove (and replace) each plug wire to determine if you have any dead cylinders and check compression. I'd then check the spark plugs and look to see if any were water bleached..and indicator of water entering that cylinder.

I'm sure you would notice excessive moisture in the exhaust or even an anti-freeze smell.

I bought a cylinder leak down tester for harbor Freight that works nicely, never had the occasion to try this...but I bet if you put air pressure in the cylinder and it was leaking via a gasket or crack...bubbles would show up via the radiator fill spout?

[chopper526]

I'm with Ed, start with the basics and work your way out.

[vette59jdwl]

I am with ed and chopper  to a compression check wet and then dry or visa versa should tell you the true story sounds a like a good engine for a total tear down but be careful and have the block and heads checked for warpage   vette59jdwl