ok heres the deal, im stuck here in Lubbock, Tx for most likely the next 2 yrs, my 5.0 is back home in el paso, and i cant stand not doing some kind of work towards the 5.0 or for the 5.0...So i decided maybe i should assemble an engine? i think maybe little by little i could build it up? have any of you less experieced stangers done this? i really want to learn how to do it, do you have any suggestions as far as books/manuals. right now im leaning heavily towards a 351 based set up, with the possibility of forced induction down the line(turbo or s/c). how much do you think i could get a good 351w block for? what are the best years to look for? should i buy new or used? ANY HELP is appreciated. thanks in advance.
Building a motor.
- Thread starter p.exeter_bleu
- Start date
I rebuilt my own engine this winter. It's not "hard" but it does need attention to details. I honed my own cylinders and rebuilt everything. I only sent the crank to a machine shop to get checked and polished, had pistons installed onto the rods. Get some books or search the net (getting books would have saved me some headaches).
txstang84
15 Year Member
there are several types of manuals available at the local parts stores for about $12-$20 that can give you all the little details about building your own engine. Even a vehicle manual from Haynes will give you all the bearing clearances and end gaps, and torq values, etc, etc.
building an engine is not at all diffucult IMO, but you have to pay close attention to the way everything goes together.
you should be able to pick up a rebuildable 351 short block for about 200-300 from a junk yard. if you feel like driving to Abilene, there's a huge junk yard here off of I-20 where you could pick up a good used shortblock for cheap, or a good used block for about $75...
building an engine is not at all diffucult IMO, but you have to pay close attention to the way everything goes together.
you should be able to pick up a rebuildable 351 short block for about 200-300 from a junk yard. if you feel like driving to Abilene, there's a huge junk yard here off of I-20 where you could pick up a good used shortblock for cheap, or a good used block for about $75...
Black 93 Fox
Active Member
I also just got my engine done. Its not hard just have to really check and double check and even triple check things. Once that engine is in there is no going back. I had my machine work done and the pistons and rods hung. Then installed them.
txstang84
15 Year Member
i've seen several 351's of varying years, out of trucks, cars, you name it...the last time i bought a block from there, i think i paid $50 for a mexican block 302...then found out the bores were too rusted to take it +.030" oh well, guess i can sell the main caps for a little bit on ebay
i don't suspect they'll charge more than $100 for a bare engine block, even a 351, if you can't find one locally and don't mind driving a couple hours to abilene, pm me, and i'll get back with you-in case you choose to go by yourself, it's exit 286C off east bound I-20, hang a left over the bridge, and drive about 5 miles (or so), and FM 600 wrecking is on your left...there's over 500 acres of salvage cars out there, with plenty of good donors for just about anything.
now thinking about it, i saw a complete 351 out of a pickup just laying in their little engine pile...i'd say post '87 year model. regardless...there are plenty there
i don't suspect they'll charge more than $100 for a bare engine block, even a 351, if you can't find one locally and don't mind driving a couple hours to abilene, pm me, and i'll get back with you-in case you choose to go by yourself, it's exit 286C off east bound I-20, hang a left over the bridge, and drive about 5 miles (or so), and FM 600 wrecking is on your left...there's over 500 acres of salvage cars out there, with plenty of good donors for just about anything.
now thinking about it, i saw a complete 351 out of a pickup just laying in their little engine pile...i'd say post '87 year model. regardless...there are plenty there
