engine rebuild
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 92
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engine rebuild
hello guys so my car had its head taken off and needs a valve job but i am looking to do a full rebuild. any ideas on what is the best value?I want better than stock performance if i am going to put this much money into it.I was looking into the 383 stroker kit but with cams and new valves that might be too pricey along with what other parts ill need. what about just a basic rebuild with high compression pistons or some other aftermarket parts?my price range for this rebuild is about 3 grand so what are my best options?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 208
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From: McDonough GA
It's a cakewalk for $3000.
New cylinder heads, camshaft, flat top pistons, headers, new intake/600cfm carburetor or 650 is OK, possible torque convertor swap depending on where the cam gets happy. Single biggest kick in the pants will be a rear end gear ratio change. Lots of good builds to be found here and online magazines. I'll send you one of my recipes if you ask nicely in a private message.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Rebuild the Q-Jet...it has 750 cfm capability and is a more economical carb for normal use. Buying a new carb for what you are doing is a total waste of money. Spend your funds on heads, better intake, cam, headers and exhaust. Upgrade pistons if you want to no more than 9.5:1 [if cast iron heads] or 10:1 [if aluminum heads]. Don't forget to buy new fasteners for the rod bearing caps, crank caps and heads. The rest will be spent on gaskets, paint, plugs, wires, etc, etc. You may have enough left to buy a tank of gas. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If the engine has lots of miles on it, you should rebuild the entire engine...if you have the funds. I have had a head gasket fail on a block which did not have many miles on it; if compression is OK and no other operational problems, just freshening up the heads would be appropriate in that case.
