Rebuild Question

Bligaderski said:

Im fixing to rebuild and am trying to get a parts list and pricing to see what i can do. I called Summit on a rebuild kit and they suggested FEMCSMHP806-300 (399.95) which is a 30 over kit but it shows to be for a 351. I’m on a tight budget so I’m not going to change the rotating assembly if I can keep from it. The kit above came with aluminum hypertec pistons that would make my compression 9.1 I’m not running spray just motor and the only motor mod is a Trick flow Stage 1 cam, GT40 Upper and lower intake and the usual bolt ons. I want a dependable street and strip motor that makes as much power as it can. I’m trying to find a set of GT40 heads for cheep (no luck there yet) but if i have to run the stockers I want to get as much as possible out of them. I was planning to go 30 over if it would make a difference. If anyone had done a budget rebuild I’m up for any suggestion. My budget for the hole rebuild is 800.00-950.00.

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I had my shortblock rebuilt for right around $850, but that was reusing the factory forged pistons. The motor I had rebuilt had 150K on it, and was obviously neglected, but there was no significant bore wear. Before ordering pistons, you may want to disassemble your engine, and have your block checked over to see if you can get away doing the same. I guess it's pretty common with 5.0 motors to be able to get away with that because of the short stroke/slight rod angle. Not having to have have the block overbored and not having to purchase new pistons will save you a lot of money.

We essentially disassmbled my engine, and brought the rotating assembly/block to the machine shop. I explained that I wanted to reuse the stock pistons/rods if it was possible. In the end, they just honed the cylinders, and reinstalled the factory pistons with fresh rings. Had new main/rod/cam bearings installed, new freeze plugs, and new ARP main and rod bolts. The cost of having the block checked out, decked, honed and then the shortblock reassembled cost about what I quoted prior. You'll obviously have a little more money in putting on a new oil pump, water pump, and then all of the hardware/gaskets to get your new heads and intake on, but it is possible to do all of this for around $1,000.

I hope this helps.

It is really hard tell to without more info, so here are some more questions and suggestions.

First what is going on that is the cause for the rebuild? Using oil, loss of power, lots of miles, or did something break? The current conditions has a lot to do with the money that needs to be spent. Many times you won't know for sure until you tear the engine down. Could it just use a hone or does it need a new bore, how is the bearing wear?

For that small amount of money ,you stated, you are looking at a hone, replacing rings, bearings and stuff, instead of taking it to a machine shop. You must consider all the gaskets, fluids, bolts and misc. items that will be required to put it all back together, those things add up quick and eat into your final cost. One might be able to find a machine shop to do the work for you for that price, if so I would probably order the rebuild kit from them as they might get a cheaper price.

Honestly I would continue to save your money, if the car is still drivable. Rebuild with a 30 over varies form machine shop and the area, but I would want at least 1200 to 1500 for the whole job, if I wanted it done right, by a good machine shop. We are not that far, distance wise, and I spent $700 just in machine work, bearings, and rings.

1000ish is about right, I did that to an 89 block and it stayed standard bore and I re-used the forged pistons and replaced everything else. It is for sale in the classifieds for (you guessed it) 1000 dollars. Only difference is that mine is a complete motor redone heads and all. I am not telling you to buy it as thats what the classifieds are for, however if you got something like that and got your car up and running you could use your old block and slowly build it into a nice stroker motor or whatever your dream motor is. You might consider a set of thumper E7s for heads, he does really nice things to them and they are reasonable esp if you have a core.

Matt