350 Engine Rebuild NEED HELP!!!

[andrewmckernon]

Thanks! and more...

Hey, thanks a lot for the crank info. Went off without a hitch.

I'm not going to lie to anyone here in saying that I purchased my forged pistons BEFORE inspecting the engine. Stupid first time buyer mistake. Seems as though i should have asked first. Story of my life. I suppose i can still return them...

The question is this: I have a standard bore 350 and purchased those forged pistons. The cylinders are in great shape and merely need some cleaning. As i hear it i need to bore my cylinder a few thousandths if i have forged pistons. Should i merely return the forged ones and not deal with the hassle of machining it, or should I just go for it?

What's the cost on machinging this?

Andrew

ps thanks a lot guys!

 

[bobherr46]

Check the specs. for the pistons you bought to see what bore size is needed. Then have the machine shop mike the block. If you are lucky they may be able to hone the block to get the clearance you need and boring(and new pistons)will not be necessary. If you do have to bore the block I would expect your parts vendor to exchange the pistons you have for the correct size. If they won't I would start buying from Summit or Jeg's. They are happy to exchange a guy's mistakes. - Bob

 

[Jack]

Check the specs. for the pistons you bought to see what bore size is needed. Then have the machine shop mike the block. If you are lucky they may be able to hone the block to get the clearance you need and boring(and new pistons)will not be necessary. If you do have to bore the block I would expect your parts vendor to exchange the pistons you have for the correct size. If they won't I would start buying from Summit or Jeg's. They are happy to exchange a guy's mistakes. - Bob

Like Bob says ... try this approach ... good advice Bob! Expect to pay $8-$16 per hole for machinework. Shop might not even charge for miking bores ... especially if shop's gonna be the one to do the machinework ... but if they do probably no more than $20-$25 for all 8. I suggest that anyone who's building a small block (or planning to) ... and it's their first sbc (even if experienced with other motors) ... they should go to bookstore and buy "how to rebuild your sbc" ... it's under $20 and has a lot of real good info-pics and will remain a valuable reference. For first-time sbc builders it's probably the best $20 spent on the project.
JACK:gap

 

[Tom Bryant]

Hi Andrew,

Most likely your block will need a .030 overbore to make the cylinders round again and eliminate any taper in the bores. As was said above any competent machine shop will know what clearance to fininsh the bores too for the pistons you bought. If you bought standards you may need to exchange them for .030s

One of the CAC Administrators is a Corvette tech in the DFW area. He builds a lot of modified engines and really knows his stuff. I know he has been real busy for some time, that's what happens when you're good, but it would be worth sending Mike a PM or email. I'm sure he would steer you in the right direction for machine shop services and parts selection. You might even end up having his shop do some work for you.

Just put Stingray6974 in the PM "to" box and you're good to go.

Tom

 

[Whiplash]

Andrew,

I live in the DFW area and plan on a rebuild of my 350 this fall. I rebuilt an old Buick 455 about 18 years ago but would be happy to help where possible. I probably even have some specialty tools like ring compressors for the pistons and a spring compressor for the valves.

Either way I'd be happy to lend moral support and would be interested in what you find out about local machine shops. I've got a numbers matching car so I'm interested in how to get the block machined without having the serial numbers shaved off if the block needs to be decked.

Let me know.

Jon

 

[andrewmckernon]

Hey Jon

hey jon, you sound like an engine angel. I live in Mansfield just between dallas and fort worth. Is that an inconvenience? Also when would be a good time to get together? Weekends i suppose?

We need to assess what we need to do first, I'm still deciding whether or not to get hypereutic pistons in exchange for the forged ones i already have. Email me back whatcha think?

Thanks
andrew

 

[Whiplash]

hey jon, you sound like an engine angel. I live in Mansfield just between dallas and fort worth. Is that an inconvenience? Also when would be a good time to get together? Weekends i suppose?

We need to assess what we need to do first, I'm still deciding whether or not to get hypereutic pistons in exchange for the forged ones i already have. Email me back whatcha think?

Thanks
andrew

Andrew,

Sent you an e-mail.

Jon

 

[andrewmckernon]

email

didnt get youre mail jon. try again please: andrewmckernon@hotmail.com

thanks

 

[Whiplash]

didnt get youre mail jon. try again please: andrewmckernon@hotmail.com

thanks

Sent you a PM and new Email.