Engine Rebuild - Do It Yourself - Info.

[AnthonyR23]

So is it at all possible to build an engine from scratch without a machine shop... with certain tools and alot of time... Anyone know anything about this?? Or how crazy it is.. it is something I would love to do.. I am interested in a 347 stroker kit.. and want to build as much of it myself that I can.. with my dad's help.. We have a air compresser and I think with really find sand, I can sandblast some of the parts to clean them up.. Anyone build one themselves with success... special tools?? that don't cost a fortune?? I know I am gonna get ... just take it in.. but any info on things you can do yourself would be appreciated..

 

[5spd GT]

This may give you a better idea of what you are getting into...

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=688385

Many people have rebuilt their own engines going as cheap as possible.

These engines are the ones that typically smoke or give up early in life

At minimum, I would have the rotating assembly balanced, and a good bore/hone job, while making sure everything is "round". Follow torque specs and proper ring orientation.

 

[Zero_chance]

You need a machine shop if you want to bore it out .030 to make it a 347. Cant just stuff the new pistons in the block. Also if your block isnt true they plane it, etc. You can rebuild but not really go bigger displacement.

 

[AnthonyR23]

I wouldn't do anything unless I knew exactly what I had to do.. I agree that some things will have to be done at the machine shop.. if I have them plane the block, bore, hone, and balance, could I do the rest of the assembly myself... even if I have to go buy some tools.. one thing I know I need is a torque wrench.. how much should the bare minimum cost.. I want to do it right... but I don't want to throw money out the window if it is something I can do right myself... You know.. if it's possible to do it right.. in a garage at home..

 

[Zero_chance]

If you get the necessary components machined right theres no reason why you shouldnt be able to put it together yourself. A Haynes or Chiltons manual would probably come in handy and wed all lend a digital hand if you got stuck. I rebuilt my car in a driveway with no lift. There arent many special tools needed for our engines, and most parts stores will loan the few that you may need. Just gotta take your time and make sure things stay clean. That was the biggest hassle to me was making sure everything stayed clean and that parts stayed oiled while waiting to be assembled. Do you have a cherry picker for engine removal? Engine stand? Im not sure where youll be working or what youll have at your disposal. What exactly is your plans and what are you starting with??

 

[irish]

Not to rain on your parade but from the sound of your post you would be better off to buy a shortblock. Add the last few parts to it and install it. Figure a nice stroker kit around a grand, between renting/buying tools you do not own plus all the machine work on your block and assembly costs unless you are going to buy even more specialty tools, at easy another grand. You can buy a good shortblock for less.

Matt

 

[5spd GT]

The machining is something that has to be done. When it is all said and done, most final assembly (what you are trying to acheive) is $200-$250. Maybe you can save up a little longer...

I would try rebuilding just an old budget block and cheap rebuild kit to get some "practice" at a later date. If you are planning on reliability or have a daily driven engine in mind, I would let the pros do it.

 

[88-378]

I am doing the same thing this summer. 347 stroker.

I am having the block completely machined with new freeze plugs, oil plugs, cam bearings and all that. I am also having the machine shop check all tolerances and such and install the pistons on the rods. He will number them for install. everything will be balcanced and ready to go.

Sending it all to me to do the final assembly. I will file fit rings and assemble checking everything as i go.

It's not too bad. Make sure, as stated, the rings are gapped correctly and put on properly. Get some books and have some fun!!

 

[JamesB88]

+1 for buying a short block. Fordstrokers.com sells pretty resonable 331/347s.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

In order for you to build it yourself, also doing the machinework yourself, you'd have an awfully difficult time. You'll need to bore/hone the cylinders, align hone the mains, deck the block, install new cam bearings, possibly hone the lifter bores, clearance the cylinders for the extra throw of the connecting rods, and probably more I'm not even thinking of. Having a machine shop do that part and assembling it yourself would be a better deal, IMO. They should be able to give you clearances to stick to with assembly, if your stroker kit didn't come with its own recommendations.