Pulling motor out again for full rebuild, look for suggestions???

[Blown331LX]

Hey everyone, here are the specs of whats currently there: 1994 GT HO block dead stock with addition of F303 cam and windage tray, Patriot heads, Victor Jr intake, long tubes, full MSD ignition, and a bunch of other little other stuff. This is a street car, and not a drag car. Anyway I became broke halfway through the first build and reused the stock rings and bearings with the new heads, well as you guys know thats a crap shoot. Well my luck 1,000 miles later oil rings are shot so it is coming back out. The cylinder walls still have the cross hatch pattern with no ridge so I wont be boring the cylinders or using a stroker kit. I will be ditching the hyperutectic stock 94 pistons and replacing them with used low mileage 1989 forged ones, and also treating to new rings and bottom end bearings. SO........Heres my current puzzler, I plan on boosting down the road (10 psi or less) either with a turbo setup or a roots style blower. (1) Which rings are best standard ? Gapless ? Cast ? Moly ? Which brand ? I was looking at Sealed Power. (2) Upgrade headgaskets and to stud kit now or wait until induction gets added later ? If so which gaskets are best ? I was looking at the MLS Felpro headgaskets ? (3) What are you guys using for intake gaskets and bolts when boosting? (4) Do I really need to have rods reconditioned if they are low mileage, look good and withinspec? (5) I see MM&ff using stock rod bolts and main bolts with they're stock 5.0 turbo setups. This works but does it last? ........ ..............As of right now Im planning on rings, bearings and a run of the mill engine gasket set and redoing the upper end when forced induction is added. Maybe this is more of a rant and a long one at that, just throw some input this way. Thanks

 

[PUNISHER RACING]

I always use Felpro 1011-2 head gaskets they are tough as nails and don't break the bank. As far as rings just get a set of cast Sealed Power's they are tough and are the least prone to problems (bad ring seal with non machined blocks) and within the first few power pulls they are seated. I cant stress enough how a quality gaskets make all the difference in the world. (FELPRO) As far as the bottom end is concerned get them pistons spotless and put good ARP bolts in them rods and mains.

 

[Blown331LX]

I was looking at the Sealed Power cast rings and bottom end bearings. Made by Federal Mogul thats been around forever and the price seems good to me also. Are the FelPro gaskets your speaking of the MLS type? How necessary are the ARP bottom end bolts? I know of stock bottom ends with either a ton of juice or boost that have been running in the 10's for years with the stock bolts. Keep in mind this car is 98% street and may only see less than 5 passes at a track. And what the hell sort of engine do you have busting welds on a driveshaft Punisher? That **** is not common, Im assuming flaw in the metal.

 

[PUNISHER RACING]

no they are just a race type gasket with a copper fire ring you can get em for like $35 apiece at the auto parts or Summit. Built 347 stick car on a 175 hit, those 26x11.5's hook in the summer heat