When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I would like to buy a complete engine rebuild kit but I need to give them the ring and bore size and bearing size how do I find out what are the sizes . No Iam not going to have the cylinders bored out Iam just going to hone the cylinders The engine is a 74 454 in good shape but when I got it it was all in parts
A micrometer with a telescoping gauge or bore guage are the most accurate way to measure a bore, but a vernier caliper should let you know if the engine is standard bore or not.
It might not be a bad idea to find a local small machine shop(one that does engines,not the kind that does com. and military machine work.Strip your block and bring the block and crank to him.Tell him you're going to assemble it but would like him to magnaflux and hot tank it and put cam bearings and freeze out plugs in it.He can check the bore(most will tell you 4(.004) and out the door),meaning it should be bored.He'll also check flatness.He'll check your crank and cut or polish and tell you what size to buy.If you bring the pistons he'll check the wrist pins.This should only cost you a couple hundred.I have also found that buying the rings,etc. from him is very cost effective.This way you'll have the pleasure on assembling the engine and knowing everything is good.Local guys will probably throw in some tips to help you out. Money well spent.Mike
If it has miles on it, the cylinders are no longer round. Your new rings will be. You'll have a sealing issue most likely. If you don't intend to spend the cash to machine and rebuild it, I'd rebearing it and leave the pistons alone. Rebuild the heads and see what the engine runs like.
I think the balance of what everybody is trying to say here is that you don't just up and buy an engine rebuild kit until you know EXACTLY what it is you need.
If you think your cylinder bores are standard but upon measurement you discover that it's really .009" over then a 'STD' kit won't help you.
You might not need to have any machine work done, but you really won't know for sure until you've at least measured the bores and mic'd. the crank journals. Then and only then should you go and order an engine kit...