To build or not to build . . . that is the question.

[Zero Signal]

So I finally came to the dilemna of whether or not have the engine builder assemble the 347 he put together for me or should I do it? The block is being prepped and the parts are there and everything will be balanced by him. They are most likely going to charge around $400 to finish assembling the short block. It will put the total cost of the 347 to $2400 including balancer and cut flywheel.

I know he'll give me all the info I need to put it together and I just need to buy some more tools for checking all the clearances etc. What do you guys think? I don't have tons of time for this, basically only weekends and I seriously want to get the car running again. I'm competent enough to figure it out, but having never done it, I'm not sure how risky it is.

 

[tlee_20]

well if you've done it before or have someone that can help you i'd say do it yourself. but! if you have to buy tools and dont have experience, i would have him do it. i know 400 dollars is a nice little chunk of change, but its your motor.. its gotta be right.

 

[reddy351]

I would let him build it. He does it everyday and should have a good reputation. He may catch a "problem" that you might miss (because you DON'T do it everyday) before it makes itself known at 7k rpms. $400 won't sound like much $$$, then.

 

[cbarr300]

I agree with the ones above me. If you aren't 100% sure on what ur doing when rebuilding an engine it can spell out bigggg problems for you. In all honesty...400 bux isn't really all that bad of a price.

u figure u'll spend a pretty good amount on the special tools and what not u'll need so that right there can already start to add up.

I say just let him do it...it'll save you hassle and possibly money in the long term.

maybe u could watch him for future reference?




oh course...if ur a risk taker and have nothing better to do and can afford to fix something if it should mess up then by all means do it urself...u'll learn a good bit doing it like that as well...especially if he shows u.

The good thing about that 400 dollar price tag is it should include a warranty should something go wrong...well worth it IMO.

best of luck either way

 

[final5-0]

If this was just a motor for some beater or basic transportation

That is one thing

However

In this case ... things need to be like they need to be

You have to have the knowledge to know what to check

You have to have the tools to do the checking

If you find a prob ... you gotta tear it down and correct it

To me ... that is what a b&b'ed short block is all about

Knowing things ... ALL THINGS ... are like they need to be.

The b&b process is also worth some additional hp as it makes the motor more efficient.

Some of my thoughts for you ............ Mr. John

Grady

 

[BlackVert]

talk to methodical, he put his together

 

[ProKiller]

let him do it. 400 bucks is a good price for the piece of mind that it is done right. if you do it there will always be those lingering thoughts. "Did i tighten that bolt to 95#s or 125#s?"

 

[Stanger007]

After having built an engine in my '72, my next motor (in the 95 will be a pre-built shortblock.

There's a lot of knowledge that goes into building an engine and a lot of things you won't get from reading a book or the Internet.

I was fortunate to have a friend that was the engine builder for a race team for many years come over for a couple days to help me with my engine - he showed me a lot that I would not have otherwise known.

Pay the $400 and have it done right and don't have any worries when you beat on it.

My 2c,
Wes

 

[Zero Signal]

I think I'm gonna just fork over the $400 and buy the peace of mind.

 

[BlackVert]

good decision. i'm gonna have mine assembled too.

 

[Methodical]

talk to methodical, he put his together

Thanks for the props Blackvert. I am more of a risk taker. My theory - If I can read it I can do it . I bought the book - "How to Build Small Block Fords," research the internet, talked to plenty of people (fortunate to have a machine shop near by too). As far as special tools, the only special tools I purcahsed was a Torque Wrench, piston installer and ring expander; the other were your everyday tools and patience and to be Methodical in your work. For measurement purposes I used the squish method (can't recall the name of the little wax strings I used). Oh by the way, my Cobra is no longer a DD so I was in no rush either, plus I have a large garage (20x24) to work in.

With all of that said, since it's your DD (I think) $400 is not alot to have them assemble it for you. On the other hand, if they are backlogged and can't complete for say a month - welllllll you're back to..... What I suggest you do is learn as much as you can about clearances etc. to let them know what you want out of the motor (ex. 0 decked block, CR etc.) and discuss with them what they plan to do with the block etc. - basically just be aware how they build it. Get all measurements too.

 

[tlee_20]

For measurement purposes I used the squish method (can't recall the name of the little wax strings I used).

plastigage

 

[Methodical]

plastigage

Ahhh that's it. Thanks

 

[gcomfx.com]

Good choice.... if they made a mistake in the machining and YOU put it together, you will be the scapegoat.

 

[BlackVert]

Thanks for the props Blackvert. I am more of a risk taker. My theory - If I can read it I can do it .

i am of a similar mindset ... would you say you are happy with how your build turned out?

maybe after i get a garage and have some free time, i'll start building my own.

 

[Adam95GT]

I think I'm gonna just fork over the $400 and buy the peace of mind.

i think thats wht best choice... because if some bad work occured noone can blame you for putting it together wrong ya know?

 

[final5-0]

I have had the good fortune of putting together many a sbf and have never had any trouble. Those motors have run well for years.

however

I have never put toghther a sbf motor that was b & b'ed

Yes you can use plastigage, and other simple things to get more accurate
and
I'm not knocking the do it yourself attitude or method here

If I ever get a purpose built short block I wanna know stuff is right.

I wanna know I'm ok at 7k rpm give or take
and
I wanna benefit the hp gain from the more efficient b&b process

Here are just a few things ... certainly not all ... I can quickly think of that need to be addressed .................

piston height in the hole
piston to wall clearance
ring end gap
main clearance
rod clearance
crank end play
and
the list goes on and on

Not everybody has the knowledge and tools to check all that
and
As talked about above ..............

Say you find something wrong in your garage

You gotta tear it back down and haul it all back to the builder for him to make it like it needs to be.

IMHO, you can find knowledgable builders on the internet or local to you that can provide good references to build you a package that is reasonable.

Add up the cost of tools ... your time ... and trouble
and
Compare it to the builders assembly fee

A decision everybody has to make for themselves ... I guess

Grady

 

[BlackVert]

what is b&b?

 

[Hef5.0weisen]

balanced and blueprinted

 

[Adam95GT]

i thought it was built n bored... lol