Can I disassemble and assemble shortblock w/o shop

[mob]

Hey guys, I am about to pull the motor, and I want to know if I take the internals out so that I can replace the bearings and hone the cylinders myself, do I have to take the internals to a machine shop to have everything balanced, or can I just throw it all back in the block no problem? I know it would be better to take it to a shop and have them measure everything, etc. but I want to know if I can skip that step as I am TIGHT on money, and do not want to put the motor back in w/o changing the bearings and cleaning the walls but I am not going to do that if I have to have everything rebalanced and checked.

 

[Lawbreaker5.0]

if the block doesn't need to be bored out, than yeah. remember to bag each piston and mark the caps to the pistons. write 1 on the cap and write 1 on the same side of the rod so you can put them back together exactly the way you took it off.

i put new rings, bearings, and re man crankshaft, honed it and oiled everthing with break in oil.

and i haven't had any problems(fingers crossed) yet except my idle hunts, but thats not related

 

[TenorPlayinGuy]

Patience and lots and LOTS of baggies/parts bins!

As LawBreaker said, mark everything! Make sure parts go back in exactly in the orientation, angle, or direction they came out. From the pushrods and rocker bolts down to the main caps if your going that far into it.

 

[mob]

Ok thanks guys, I already have the engine apart to the block, I just need to pull it out of the car which should be done by next week. I originally wanted to just change main bearings and seals, and gaskets, but the walls have built up a little surface rust, so I am planing on pulling everything out, changing all bearings (minus cam bearing) and getting new rings. I've read to make sure to mark each piston but thanks for saying it again. About marking the pushrods, didnt do that, or the lifters, is that gonna be trouble?

When I buy new rings and bearings, should I just get standard size even if I am honing it out? I can get all sealed power parts from my work 20% off so I dont want to miss out on that.

 

[Lawbreaker5.0]

i wouldn't get oversized if you have little wear on the walls.

mine was 40 over and i got perfect circle's, or something like that.

You shouldn't have to hone it a lot. maybe a 2 min a cyc. (on and off of course adding oil)

 

[mob]

Yea, whats the best way to add oil to it? I saw a site that said to add oil mixed wit kerosene. Whats the best way to evenly spread it around the wall? Should I just take a bottle and let it pour, and just collect the oil at the bottom and reuse it?

 

[93 LX]

Well go with a very lite oil, some 0 - 20 and use plenty of it. Better to be safe than sorry... just squirt it in each cylinder as you go.... remember when honeing you just want to get rid of any ridge and put a nice cross hatch so allow the rings to seat...

 

[TenorPlayinGuy]

If you have aftermarket rockers it isn't an issue as you would have to readjust the preload anyway, but with the stock rockers it's all pretty worn together. At this stage it's just a matter of making sure they stay in spec, or like I said if you have aftermarket rockers like Crane Cobra rockers, or stud mounted ones, then don't even worry about it.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

The only thing you can't do very well on your own are cam bearings...or at least that's my experience (which is pretty limited but i've been all through an engine aside from cam bearings).

 

[90lxcoupe]

pretty sure you have to measure clearances before you just put bearings in

 

[mob]

Yea Im going to have to get a feeler gauge and other measurements tools to make sure I do this right, but I gotta get it done and wanna do it so I just hope I dont mess anything up.

I dont plan on doing the cam bearings. Once I disassemble everything can I pressure wash the block and not have to worry about the water messing anything up like the cam bearings, etc. or should I dry it off real quick.

 

[faststang90]

yes u need measure the clearance on all the bearnings. built it and check it all with Plastigauge then clean it and lube it and build it back. u need to know all the clearances. u need to mark the rods where by numbers and keep it in the same way they come out. u have to check and recheck the bearings going to be in .001s and your hair on your head is about .003 thick so u have to be close

 

[Lawbreaker5.0]

pressure wash it, let it dry, then spray it down with wd40 if its gonna sit for awhile so it doesn't rust

 

[mob]

I didnt mark my lifters when I took them out of my motor, is that gonna make a big difference when I put them back in? I already bought new pushrods cause there so cheap and I am going to get new rockers and a new cam.

 

[Lawbreaker5.0]

they could be fine or they could make noise. i marked mine so i really can't say what would happen.. but if i had to bet, you'll prob be alright