393 stroker(windsor)

[BrownPSU78]

So I'm finnaly sitting down and seriously pricing things out...when i started doubting my abilities...I know everyone here would love to see me build my own motor, but well i don't have a lot of confidence and i'd need someone to hold my hand through it....if i can find someone who will do that then ill do it myself if not then here are my other two options...buy all the parts and have a engine builder build it...or buy a short block from on online seller...then install heads etc... my self and struggle getting it in my car and running...I'd love to build this myself...but i lack confidence...and some of the know how...anyone wanna convince me..the motor is for a daily driver 69 with toploader and 8 inch rear...its not gonna be drag raced, but well im 19 and im at college so i drive it basically only in the summer..and i already know when i graduate i will be purchasing a truck..so yea what do yall think?
--Brown
p.s. If anyone wants to hold my hand(hehe) ill do it myself...

 

[rbohm]

that depends on where you live. i wont hold your hand, i reserve that for women, but i will help as much as i can. you can email me if you like, just remember to put "stangnet engine build" in the subject line so i dont toss your email out with the rest of the junk.

 

[mustangdave]

I would not trust a local engine builder; I have seen some crappy work. As far as a short block, adjusting the valve train, getting the geometry right for the rocker contact, etc.. seems to be where alot of people fry their engine. Go for it all yourself or all by a pro. company with a warranty. They will not cover a short block failure if you screw up the valvetrain and cause a failure. The cost is about the same unless you already own alot of precision measuring tools.

 

[BrownPSU78]

Thank you for your responses. I live in southwest CT. When it comes time for heads I will be buying pre-assembled ones . ..so that is one headache i wont deal with, however i will keep that in mind about the rocker contact issues...i do have a question though...say i finish the short block by the end of the summer...is it okay to leave it sitting that that for about a year till next summer?
my goal is kinda to have an assembled short block by the end of the summer...if i finish the motor that is wonderful...but i most likely wont get the motor in before the next summer(07)...I really want to build the motor myself...I guess confidence is what I lack...Ill start putting a components list together to see what you guys think...I guess one big thing for me will be where i get the block...but well see...ill post by tommarow a parts list that i am considering...
--Brown

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Check your PM inbox I am willing to help with whatever I can.

 

[SoCalCruising]

I recommend that you buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...103-2421061-8549452?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
It has an excellent how-to for building a 357 claimer engine, which will not be far from what you build, except maybe the cam and head choice - they use Ford's NASCAR 10 degree iron heads which require some specialized valvetrain components. There is also a 347 build which will help you sort out what to look for when stroking a motor. I just finished a 331 build and the book was very helpful.

Buying the shop manual for your year car is also a good idea. It will have engine rebuild info and all of the torque specs. If you can find someone to look over your shoulder during certain critical aspects of the build, you can do it yourself. However, if you have a really competent performance/machine shop around, it won't cost you more to have them build the long block for you. As mentioned above, the cost is about the same after factoring in the tools you will need and some do-overs/mistakes, which is almost inevitable in your first build-up. The experience, however, will be a big plus going forward and outweighs, IMHO, the hassle of doing it yourself.

That 8" rearend will have to go.

 

[BrownPSU78]

thank you for pointing that book out to me...i will have to purchase it...I know that the 8 inch will have to go...but I'm taking this one step at a time...