should I do it or have a shop do it?

if you dont think you can do it, have a shop do it and save yourself the headache. Every shop charges their own price, theres really no standard

I would give it a shot yourself it's a good chance to become more familiar with engine building. If all the machine work is done you just need to be careful to not nick any rod journals while putting the pistons in (they make rod bolt covers to prevent this from happening), take your time, and if you are unsure of any measurements always take the time to measure more than once for peace of mind. Installing piston rings can sometimes be tricky but again if you take your time you shouldn't have too much of an issue. In the end when the motor is all back together and running you'll be happy that you can say you built the engine also.

njoliver said:

I might sound like a wussy saying this but. I got a short block for cheap with the pistons not installed. I am very experienced with cars but I have never rebuilt a short block. I am a little scared of doing it myself. all the machine work is done, I guess all I have to do is to set the ring gap and check rod clearance. I was thinking about taking it to a shop and have them assemble the short block for me... or I could do it myself. if you guys were in my shoes what wold you do? I just want to make sure every thing is perfect. I have never taking anything to a shop before what would be the price of doing it any ideas?

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I prefer to do all my own work. But I have a full shop with one 6foot tool box and one 4foot tool box both filled with any tool you can think of, and all the air tools I need. The only thing I'm missing is a floor lift, but I have a good jack and stands.

Is this a stroker motor you're building or just a standard stroke 302?

If you're building a stroker, then you can still do it rather easily. You just have to double check your clearances.

Go buy one of the many books on "how to rebuild a small block Ford" and it will take you from step one to the install.

Almost all the shops I've had experience with in the past are blood suckers and are always trying to get you to do stuff you never even planned on doing. Shops tend to think that anyone that takes their stuff to them know nothing about cars so they try to rip you in every hole they can.

The only thing I would be worried about would be balancing the crank and rods and the pistons. If they were previously in the block and they were marked at where they were at then throw them in. I've never done more than replacing stuff like starters and alternators and I pulled a motor rebuilt it with new rings and bearings and did an hci. Many miles are on the vert and I recently just did a 4 cyl to v8 on my 93 coupe with gt40p heads. If your mechanically inclined it should not be a problem. All you need is a basic 200 piece socket set.