Going to freshen up bottom end...Anything I should know before I screw it up?

I was thinking of freshening up the 89 5.0 shortblock I have laying around before I drop it into my car. It's just going to have to do until I have the money for a real bottom end. Anyway when I pulled the heads from the motor and turned the motor a few times by hand It appeared that a few (2)of the cylinders had oil leaking around the pistons. I'm no expert, but I figure it's bad piston rings to blame? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm planning on getting a rebuild kit for the bottom end (the one that includes the new piston rings, main bearings, and all that other stuff minus the pistons. The $100 kit. I'll reuse the pistons that are in there. The cylinder walls themself still have the cross hatch pattern so I think that's a good sign. Any advise before I attempt this? What else should I check while I have it apart? It doesn't seem too hard. Any special tools? Thanks guys.

Thanks for the info that's extremely helpful. dastang2 what should I grease and what kind should I use? I have the torque wrench will I need a piston ring compressor or any other special tools? I figure I'll pick up everything tomorrow. I can get a set of moly piston rings for $50 so that's what I'm going with.

DTT92LX said:

Hey ram360, what $100.00 kit are you referring to? I have a 5.0 block that I want to freshen up too and have just started researching how to do it.

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I must have looked at it for the wrong engine 302 engine but it's $204 from performance automotive warehouse (87-91) 302 HO. engine overhaul special(Piston rings, rod bearings, main bearings, engine gasket set,) After pricing everything out it's cheaper to buy all that around here seperatly.

RsStanG1987 said:

Make sure you put all of the oil pan bolts back in. Make sure you mark what piston goes in which cylinder. And take care of my motor

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Don't worry about the motor, it's in very capable hands. I have all the bolts for the oil pan. I still need bolts for my bell housing though. Maybe you have a few extra laying around. I know you only used two of them when you put your car back together.