Can I just put this shortblock back together and then put it in my car?

BlueOvalStangGT said:

Hey im in the search for a new shortblock for my car since I blew my number 8 piston. I found out my freind has a shortblock from a 87 that he could sell me. I went over to look at it and its all apart, the block is on a stand and the pistons/rods are all on the floor. They were pretty grimy but im sure once you clean them up they will be fine. Hes got a new oil pump in it and has new bearings and rings in the box waiting to be put on. The block was pulled while it was still running and it supposely has less then 100k on the ticker but theirs no way to confirm that. MY question is: Can I take the rings/bearings he has put them on the pistons and put the pistons in the block without having to get it balanced or anything? Or is a balance a must for something like this? What can I use to clean the pistons?

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WITH THAT MANY MILES I WOULD CHECK FOR RING RIDGE IN THE CYLINDERS. IF THERE IS ALOT IT PROBABLY ISNT WORTH PUTTING BACK TOGETHER. IF IT ISNT TOO BAD YOU'LL NEED TO HONE THE CYLINDERS WITH EITHER A MONKEY BALL OR DISC TYPE HONER (LOOKS LIKE A TRIPOD). TO CLEAN THE PISTONS YOU CAN TRY DEGREASER/BRAKE CLEAN, BUT A BUDDY OF MINE SOAKED THEM IN DIESEL FUEL FOR LIKE TWO DAYS THEN TOOK A WIRE WHEEL TO THE TOPS (NOT THE SIDES!) CHECK THE CAM BEARINGS AND SEE IF THEY ARE WORN...PROBABLY SO AND IF YOU ARE DOING BOTTOM END BEARINGS AND RINGS YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO THIS TOO. AS LONG AS ALL THE PISTONS GO BACK IN THE RIGHT CYLINDERS (CANT REMEMBER IF THEY ARE NUMBERED OR NOT) THEN YOU WONT NEED TO BALANCE IT. IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA, BUT FOR A STOCK BOTTOM END THAT WONT SEE TOO HIGH OF RPM'S IT SHOULD BE ALRIGHT. OH AND MAKE SURE THE END CAPS GO ON CORRECTLY! GOOD LUCK