how should I rebuild my 5.0

[soon2bgt]

Well I just got this short block with 100k on it. It looks to be in good shape and the pistons look fine, except for a small line on one of them about the same size as if a valve would hit, but not as deep. Anyway I also got a book building fords on a budget, and it says not to do a 500 dollar job. I was just going to hone it and rering, and bearing it, Should I go to the trouble of machining it? I just want to rebuild it stock. Maybe ARP's. Also what rebuild kit should I go with. I don't want junk, but don't need top of the line. I just want the engine to take 500HP which they can in stock form

thanks Derek

 

[rd]

Kinda depends on what you want. You can just clean it up and put it in and see how it runs. Or go through various levels of refinement.

You need to carefully disassemble it. Be careful about removing the pistons. You need to get a ridge reamer or let a shop remove them, if you think you may want to, or be able to use them over. Do not just hammer them out, as you will damage the ring lands on the pistons.

Bag and tag and label every single part you take off.

Then get a shop to clean it, and inspect it for cracks, damage, and clean it.
This should normally be $100 or less. I had a Mazda 4 cyl head cleaned and checked last week for $25 here. It had cracks in 3 of 4 cyls, but I have a clean $25 aluminum doorstop.

When the shop checks the bore wear, that will determine if you can rebuild with the stock bore and just re ring, or you need to bore and get new pistons.

They will also check the crank main and rod journals for wear to see if they can be reused w/o turning.

Then get the machine work done, and round up all the parts you need, and with the book in hand, slowly and carefully start fitting and checking and reassembling.

Take lots of time, write down all your measurements, and it will be fine.

 

[soon2bgt]

I searched and still don't know how to use a rigde reamer. I'm more of a visual learner. Is there any sites with pics showing how to use one, and what can you exspect to pay for one

thanks Derek