Sleeved big blocks.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
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From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Sleeved big blocks.
I have a chance to buy a 454 that needs 1 sleeve and the other cylinders are std bore for $225. What is everyone's opinion on sleeved blocks? I have never had or seen one so I don't know if I should go with this or not.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,455
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From: Republic of Texas
Re: Sleeved big blocks. (oger)
With the blocked sleved it will be stonger. One friend of mine that has a race shop EVERY race motor he builds is sleved, EVERY cylinder. If your guy know's what he's doing you'll be just fine.
[Modified by Corey 68, 1:33 PM 7/20/2002]
[Modified by Corey 68, 1:33 PM 7/20/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: delmont pa
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Re: Sleeved big blocks. (wadew10)
make sure you ask for "stepped sleeving" and if the machine shop does not know what you a talking about run don't walk out of there. :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
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From: San Antonio TX
Re: Sleeved big blocks. (wadew10)
Like anything else, there is a right way and a wrong way and somewhere in between there is the half-assed way. If you want to see some serious machine work, visit this site: http://www.gessford.com/images/FEPressurecheck.htm
Now don't everyone start doing the provincial barf job because it's a Ford. Spare me your drama. He is one of the foremost experts on Cobra engines but is deeply involved in other makes (take a look at his comprehensive site) He runs one of the best machine shops in the country, bar none. If you're anywhere near George Anderson's Hastings Nebraska Gessford machine shop, you would do well to pay him a visit. It would pay everyone well to surf around his site, particularly his job quotes to see what real professional machine work really costs.
Now don't everyone start doing the provincial barf job because it's a Ford. Spare me your drama. He is one of the foremost experts on Cobra engines but is deeply involved in other makes (take a look at his comprehensive site) He runs one of the best machine shops in the country, bar none. If you're anywhere near George Anderson's Hastings Nebraska Gessford machine shop, you would do well to pay him a visit. It would pay everyone well to surf around his site, particularly his job quotes to see what real professional machine work really costs.
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Re: Sleeved big blocks. (wadew10)
First off, sleeves are fine. If done correctly you will never have an issue.
But get out a calculator and decide. If you are building the motor up into a performance piece, you will probably want to bore the other 7 holes to get it right.
The cost of boring, sleeving etc plus $225 will put you around $5-600 in the block. Not too bad, but you might check around and see if you can find one already bored for less $$$. I've seen very decent shortblocks in the 500-1000 range at swap meets with forged pistons etc already.
If you already owned the motor it would be worth it, but the purchaase price kicks up.
Jim
But get out a calculator and decide. If you are building the motor up into a performance piece, you will probably want to bore the other 7 holes to get it right.
The cost of boring, sleeving etc plus $225 will put you around $5-600 in the block. Not too bad, but you might check around and see if you can find one already bored for less $$$. I've seen very decent shortblocks in the 500-1000 range at swap meets with forged pistons etc already.
If you already owned the motor it would be worth it, but the purchaase price kicks up.
Jim
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
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From: Clymer PA
Re: Sleeved big blocks. (wadew10)
Is this a complete motor or just a bare block? $225 for a bare 454 block that needs to be sleeved seems like a bit much. FYI I picked my bare 454 block up for $200 + shipping....the block was standard bore and all 8 of the bores were perfect.