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Engine Rebuild

Stingray74CC

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2001
Messages
183
Location
San Diego, CA
Corvette
Black Cherry 1969 Stingray
I have a chance to rebuild the 427 that's in my car as part of an Engines class I'm taking here at the Naval Academy this January. I've been told that an engine rebuild can cost anywhere from $3,000-$4,000 so I'm thinking this is a good deal. The car smokes during start up and under acceleration. I'm thinking while I have it apart, I may as well replace everything. Also, the car had severe engine knock when I got it...the timing was about 12 degrees advanced. I don't know how long it was like that or what internal damage was caused.

What is the general consensus with this? How much should I replace? Should I even mess with it? Say I would spend $1,200 on parts to take out and put back in.
 
Who'll do the machine shop work? And where? Any cost? IMHO, a seasoned USN machinist can be tough to top ... cost ... load up the cooler(S).
JACK:gap
 
We have a machine shop across the hall from the engine room and four dynos one door down the hall.
 
Not knowing machinists' / assemblers' level of experience with chevy v8s ... my suggestion:
Carpe diem! ... but first ... go find a rebuildable 427 or 454 at the junkyard etc. Rebuild/build the yard motor to your class' specs/abilities.
JACK:gap
 
That is too cool about the equipment you have access to,do all of it you can possibly afford!
 
a word of caution...

I know of a person who allowed her son to take her car to his community college shop class for a semester's rebuild project...and I want to point out that the engine will only be as good as the least skilled/motivated person who works on it.

I like the suggestion of finding a rebuildable 427 at a yard and doing that one. However, if you alone will be doing the majority of the work, I'd say go for it, because you will be very meticulous with your own engine.
Heidi

*this is not to say that the Naval Accademy is on the same level as a tiny community college, but I still feel the same principal holds true. Skill & Motivation.
 
I have thought of that

I have actually thought about that. Sometimes people (students) will rush through these things to finish an assignment/project. Most of the time it doesn't have any huge consequences b/c the final product is never actually used in a practical application. This time it is...MY VETTE!!! I'm going to talk with the prof and see what his input is. I do like the 427/454 out of a junk yard idea...or buy one off somebody. That way I'll have a hell of an engine to play with when I'm done. I know all of the guys in the class. They are pretty level headed and seem like they'd be careful with it; however, all of them aren't mechanically inclined either. Lots of consideration to do before pulling my actual engine for the project.
 
The key issue here is the prep and machine work on the block; it's the durability/reliability foundation for the whole engine. If I remember correctly, the current issue of Corvette Fever has an article titled "Block Machining 101" which would be well worth reading before you think about having well-meaning but inexperienced amateurs go anywhere near your block with machine tools not specifically designed for engine blocks.
 
iam in the middle of rebuilding my 82 at a collage shop also
yes it can cost a lot of money
iam putting mine togeather paycheck to paycheck
good rebuild kit forged and everyhitng
1,400 well that is for a 350 i dont know about a 427
i had flow work on the heads
120 to boor over
400
cam to match flow of heads
200 with lifters
new water pump
give take 150
valves
stanless steel
good ones i have found 150
titaneum
50 a valve
but can also give you 40 more horse
top of the line rollar rockers from comp cams
i got mine for 320

then ther are the other things
i figures since i was doing all that i might as well get a new radeator
be cool makes one that will drop right in and is aluminum
for my car around 500
and i dont know what you guys think but the 82 had the biggest heavyest tranny cooler i have ever seen in my life so that had to go to and there is a nother 90
bucks
it just depends what you want to do

good luck
billy 82
 

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