Engine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Westminster
Engine
Ok need input. Took out my 350 Engine have all the parts laid out. Some parts are High performance. Dont trust mechanics going to do it all myself. I want a high performance engine but dont know if i should build one or buy one. Would like to do it myself. Bought one crate engine 383 Fast Burn it through two rods. Bought this engine off of my Ex Friend it is blowing water into the 5 7 and 6 8 pistons.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 41
From: Palm Harbor, Florida
Ok need input. Took out my 350 Engine have all the parts laid out. Some parts are High performance. Dont trust mechanics going to do it all myself. I want a high performance engine but dont know if i should build one or buy one. Would like to do it myself. Bought one crate engine 383 Fast Burn it through two rods. Bought this engine off of my Ex Friend it is blowing water into the 5 7 and 6 8 pistons.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
You need to "go to school" on this first. A good book store will have a variety of books about rebuilding and/or hotrodding the smallblock Chevy. Buy more than one.
But IMHO, find yourself a local shop that is well recommended, and let them rebuild it for you. That way it's warranteed if anything goes wrong. A local Corvette club may give you a lead to find one.
But IMHO, find yourself a local shop that is well recommended, and let them rebuild it for you. That way it's warranteed if anything goes wrong. A local Corvette club may give you a lead to find one.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Depends on how much you want to spend. There is a good amount of satisfaction in building you're own engine, if, it goes well. Pick out one or two folks you feel comfortable with their knowledge. Get your advice from them. Not from 25 different guys who all have their own way to the same end.
Decide what you want this engine to do for you when it's finished. I'd suggest not building big numbers just for big number sake. Building power that you'll probably never use, or a power range so high in the rpm range that you will rarely ever see it can lead to an engine that is less pleasing to you than one that fills your expectations.
Decide what you want this engine to do for you when it's finished. I'd suggest not building big numbers just for big number sake. Building power that you'll probably never use, or a power range so high in the rpm range that you will rarely ever see it can lead to an engine that is less pleasing to you than one that fills your expectations.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Depends on how much you want to spend. There is a good amount of satisfaction in building you're own engine, if, it goes well. Pick out one or two folks you feel comfortable with their knowledge. Get your advice from them. Not from 25 different guys who all have their own way to the same end.
Decide what you want this engine to do for you when it's finished. I'd suggest not building big numbers just for big number sake. Building power that you'll probably never use, or a power range so high in the rpm range that you will rarely ever see it can lead to an engine that is less pleasing to you than one that fills your expectations.
Decide what you want this engine to do for you when it's finished. I'd suggest not building big numbers just for big number sake. Building power that you'll probably never use, or a power range so high in the rpm range that you will rarely ever see it can lead to an engine that is less pleasing to you than one that fills your expectations.
These things work best when you consider the whole system, and design and build it so it all works together.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,209
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
If you trust your abilities in putting an engine together, which isn't hard if the proper tools are available, then do it yourself. My motto: "If you want it done right then do it yourself". Then you don't need an engine warranty.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I am all for DIY stuff but there is a LOT to properly assembling an engine than most would want to hear.
Looking back over the years I got lucky....real lucky on a few when I was young lol.
Looking back over the years I got lucky....real lucky on a few when I was young lol.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Good thing about building your own engine is you know exactly who to blame if shrt cut were taken or bolts left untorqued.
There are plenty of guys who, by PM will help you with parts you have questions about. Someone said tools, there are some measuring tools you could use to help. Most shops I know would measure stuff for you. Most for free. I do it all the time around here. If you aren't planning on building several, I wouldn't buy all the stuff you may need. A GOOD torque wrench will be a must.
There are plenty of guys who, by PM will help you with parts you have questions about. Someone said tools, there are some measuring tools you could use to help. Most shops I know would measure stuff for you. Most for free. I do it all the time around here. If you aren't planning on building several, I wouldn't buy all the stuff you may need. A GOOD torque wrench will be a must.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
However any education can have some costs with it.
Anyone on here ever get one all the way finished and start second guessing remembering torque on all the internal bolt's? I have, and went back in to check to find everthing was fine. Taught me to mark all rods and mains after final torque.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
I have rebuilt several of my own engines,I have one now in the garge on an engine stand, waiting for me to decide what to put it in ( my vette or buy a roller chevy with a blown engine). Learned things the hard way..cam lobes are very easy to flatten, when starting an engine for the first time..after it warms..it needs more coolant (caught that one in time as I watched the gauge climb)oil lines to gauges can, and do, break.caught that one to by the gauge..backfiring carbs WILL burn the hair off your hand and arm,sparkplug wires WILL shock you..and last but not least....an engine fan WILL maul the heck out of your finger(s). Have fun, do it yourself. guess i am just to darn cheap to buy a crate engine..but maybe one day...smile.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
That's not luck. That's an education. Many began that way. It would be interesting to see if there's someone here who can legit claim they haven't made an error in the beginning.
However any education can have some costs with it.
Anyone on here ever get one all the way finished and start second guessing remembering torque on all the internal bolt's? I have, and went back in to check to find everthing was fine. Taught me to mark all rods and mains after final torque.
However any education can have some costs with it.
Anyone on here ever get one all the way finished and start second guessing remembering torque on all the internal bolt's? I have, and went back in to check to find everthing was fine. Taught me to mark all rods and mains after final torque.
Scott