rebuild or rebuilt
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
rebuild or rebuilt
i sent the frame off my 77 off for full restoration. now i have my engine to work with for 2 months.
what is the smartest thing to do rebuild the exsisting engine which i believe runs or buy a rebuilt one.
what would cost less.
and if i were to rebuild, i lookin from scartch, where would i start?
thanks everyone
p.s. ne pics of pple who have done the same, i would like to see.
steve
what is the smartest thing to do rebuild the exsisting engine which i believe runs or buy a rebuilt one.
what would cost less.
and if i were to rebuild, i lookin from scartch, where would i start?
thanks everyone
p.s. ne pics of pple who have done the same, i would like to see.
steve
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Originally Posted by pushin_400
so u think it wise to just drop a new block in, instead of rebuilding the exsisting one?
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
I personally, would do a crate motor if your not doing an NCRS car but trying to keep it as original as possible. You never know, you could send your original motor out to have it rebuilt and express to them not to take the numbers off the block and than get it back to find out they did just that. Ask me how I know.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I'd get a nice performance crate engine and keep the original block for eventual resale. You can get nice crate engines for a good price, probably much cheaper than it would cost you to have your engine rebuilt..
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
In my experience with many GM V8s: Rarely do they need a "rebuild". Also, my experience and opinion is that the first build of an engine is likely to be the best and longest lasting.
My advice would be to determine if there is anything wrong with your engine (various compression tests, measurements, and oil/component inspection), and only fix what's broken.
Beyond that, I prefer a medium mileage used (not rebuilt) engine from a salvage operation. Usually warranteed for some period of time. Just imagine all of the suitable Chevy small blocks which would slip right in.
If you want to spend money, I'd suggest a GM crate motor instead of a rebuilt engine, or a new engine built up by someone other than GM
Steve
My advice would be to determine if there is anything wrong with your engine (various compression tests, measurements, and oil/component inspection), and only fix what's broken.
Beyond that, I prefer a medium mileage used (not rebuilt) engine from a salvage operation. Usually warranteed for some period of time. Just imagine all of the suitable Chevy small blocks which would slip right in.
If you want to spend money, I'd suggest a GM crate motor instead of a rebuilt engine, or a new engine built up by someone other than GM
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I would rebuild, put in good parts and a little hot rod machining to ballance it, just don't let them take off the numbers. Good cam, heads and manifold, carb should be good. All that can be done without getting too psychotic, original motor still there, drive it another 30 years
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
First decide what you are going to do with the car.
If you are going to race it, even ocassionally, or use it for long trips, or use it regularly for daily driver duties I would go with the crate engine and keep the original on the side.
If the car is going to be used for shows or the ocassional Sunday drive or will be driven less than 2000 miles a year I would do a rebuilt (really, a freshining up) of the original motor. My car fell into this category. I pulled the original engine and after measuring everything decided that all it needed was a freshining up. I'm pretty sure it cost me less than $1K. I bought a rebuild kit from Summit which included new main and rod bearings and new gaskets and oil pump and I bought a set of World SR Torquer heads since the originals were trash. I also added a performance cam, although not a very big one, and a new intake and carb. The engine runs very well and uses no oil and has reasonable performance.
One other thing you should remember. You'll never be able to get back the dollars that you put in the car. If you plan to keep it for a while your expenditures, spread out over time, are less of a drain than plowing a lot of money into the car and then selling it a short time later. Just something to think about.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
If you are going to race it, even ocassionally, or use it for long trips, or use it regularly for daily driver duties I would go with the crate engine and keep the original on the side.
If the car is going to be used for shows or the ocassional Sunday drive or will be driven less than 2000 miles a year I would do a rebuilt (really, a freshining up) of the original motor. My car fell into this category. I pulled the original engine and after measuring everything decided that all it needed was a freshining up. I'm pretty sure it cost me less than $1K. I bought a rebuild kit from Summit which included new main and rod bearings and new gaskets and oil pump and I bought a set of World SR Torquer heads since the originals were trash. I also added a performance cam, although not a very big one, and a new intake and carb. The engine runs very well and uses no oil and has reasonable performance.
One other thing you should remember. You'll never be able to get back the dollars that you put in the car. If you plan to keep it for a while your expenditures, spread out over time, are less of a drain than plowing a lot of money into the car and then selling it a short time later. Just something to think about.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
In addition to what was already posted I would ask yourself if you have a good trustworthy machine shop available to you. We have few around here. 
If you have the shop, tools, and time, you should overhaul it yourself. If you have to ask the question, you probably need a crate engine. They save time and bypass the need for a local shop. The only drawback is having to store the original engine if you have one.
-Mark.
If you have the shop, tools, and time, you should overhaul it yourself. If you have to ask the question, you probably need a crate engine. They save time and bypass the need for a local shop. The only drawback is having to store the original engine if you have one.
-Mark.